1. Introduction

1.1 Research background

Toni Morrison, a famous black female American writer, was born on 18th February, 1931 at Chloe Ardelia Wofford. As an outstanding novelist and editor, she published a large number of renowned novels, such as The Bluest Eye (1970), Sula (1973), Song of Solomon (1977), and Beloved (1987), and she won the Pulitzer prize and the American book award for Beloved in 1988. In addition, she was the first black woman who received Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993.

Toni Morrison was born in a working-class family, and her parents moved to Ohio because of the oppression of the slavery. Morrison loved reading in her childhood, and her favorite authors are Jane Austen and Leo Tolstoy. In 1949, Morrison was admitted to Howard University, and then she stayed at Howard as an English teacher for seven years. At Howard, Toni fell in love with and was married to Harold Morrison, a Jamaican architect. However, she ended this marriage in 1964, and later, she worked as an editor in New York City. During her life, Morrison wrote many novels, which has played an important role in American literature.

Among those works she has written, Beloved is one of the most wonderful novels, which was regarded as ”a milestone in black literary history”. And this book was awarded with Pulitzer Prize for its various theme and diverse narrative techniques. For now, there are many critics analyzing Morrison#8217;s works from different standpoints. Although most of these researchers focus on the theme, feminism, culture and characters of the novel, some others concentrate on the writing skills of the book. They agree that the postmodern narrative strategy and the tragic plots are the most outstanding artistic features in Toni Morrison#8217;s novels.

1.2 Need for the study

Morrison has published numerous renowned novels during her life, and won many prizes for her unique writing skills. Many critics are interested in analyzing the theme, character and feminism of the novel. However, among these studies, few concentrate on tragic art in Morrison#8217;s special works.