In this passage, Sethe is explaining for the first time her reasoning for attempting to kill her children rather than allow them to be captured and taken into slavery. The metaphor used in this passage, the “hummingbird” that flaps its wings in Sethe’s head seems to describe the animal-like instincts that overcome her and drive her to protect her children by any means possible as soon after she recognizes schoolteacher. Sethe also describes her children as “the parts of her that were precious and fine and beautiful.” the fact that she describes her children as parts of her make her actions seem more like self defense, or even self-sacrifice; due to the fact that she is giving up parts of herself to keep them safe. Sethe also describes the