Everybody knew what she was called, but nobody anywhere knew her name. Disremembered and unaccounted for, she cannot be lost because no one is looking for her, and even if they were, how can they call her if they don't know her name?
The character described is a haunting figure, known to everyone by her role or status rather than her true identity. Her absence is profound, yet it goes unnoticed because no one seeks to acknowledge her as an individual. This reflects a deep societal disconnect where people can exist in a collective awareness without truly recognizing the unique identities amongst them.
This theme highlights the struggle of being disregarded and forgotten, emphasizing how a lack of acknowledgment strips a person of their significance. The idea that she cannot be sought after illustrates the pain of invisibility, suggesting that without a name, she lacks a place in the world. This resonates with the broader themes of loss and the search for identity in Toni Morrison's work.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
