What does the character Beloved symbolize in the novel of the same name?

In the novel "Beloved," the character Beloved symbolizes the profound and haunting legacy of slavery. She embodies the traumatic memories and suffering experienced by enslaved individuals, particularly the protagonist Sethe, whose past is deeply intertwined with the experiences of loss, pain, and the struggle for identity. Beloved represents the ghosts of the past that linger in the present, illustrating how the historical trauma of slavery continues to impact the lives of those who survived it and their descendants. Through her character, the novel explores themes of memory, repression, and the effects of a traumatic history on personal and communal identities.

Beloved's presence forces the characters to confront their painful histories, highlighting how the experiences of enslavement shape their realities. This deep connection to the legacy of slavery underscores the ongoing effects of systemic oppression, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and addressing this past for healing and understanding. In short, Beloved serves as a powerful representation of the deep scars left by slavery, making "the legacy of slavery" the most fitting interpretation of her symbolism in the novel.