Denver's New Maturity with Paul D

     One example of Denver maturing and moving on to new things in her life that was particularly moving to me was her encounter with Paul D on the street at the end of the novel. Paul D braces himself when he sees Denver, but surprisingly she greets him cheerily with a "smile, no longer the sneer he remembered," (Morrison 313). The two have a nice, normal chat and then both go on their ways, which is a clear example of Denver maturing. 

    When Paul D first came to live at 124, Denver was extremely skeptical and resentful of Paul D. She didn't like him because he and Sethe chatted often about things she knew nothing about, and with a childlike jealousy she resented him for creating any tiny situation in which she was not included. She wanted to be a part of everything and didn't like her mother talking about things that had nothing to do with her. 

    Paul D also comes and banishes the ghost of her sister, who besides her mother, had been her only company. This leaves her even more lonely and she's upset that Paul D not only is taking her mother from her, but also the only friend she had. 

    Because of these things, Denver often spoke to him in quite an angry tone that Paul D references when looking back at the end of the book. She rudely asks him how long he plans to "hang around," treats him in a generally resentful way, and overall can't seem to have a normal interaction with him (52).

    So when the two meet in the street and Denver greets him cheerily, the two have a regular small-talky conversation, and then peacefully part ways, it is clear to me how much Denver has grown. While she still may resent Paul D for some of the things he has done to hurt her life, she puts that aside and treats him like any normal person in the street. She also comes to terms with the fact that while the two of them might not be the best of friends, he is good for her mother. As the two part, she maturely says, "And, Paul D, you don't have to stay 'way but be careful how you talk to my ma'am, hear?" (314). This scene moved me and definitely was a perfect example of Denver growing up and working to process the events of her nearly 20 years of life. 

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