The Beast as a Symbol of Trauma and Self‑Hatred in Beneath

What Is the Beast?

In Ariel Sullivan’s Beneath, the Beast is not a literal creature but an internal psychological manifestation of Sasha Cadell’s self‑hatred, trauma, and suppressed grief. Sasha describes it as “the thing that lived beneath my skin” — a predatory force that emerges whenever she feels vulnerable, angry, or tempted by connection. The Beast is born from the loss of her family, especially the death of her sister Lily, and it feeds on every failure, every betrayal she has endured. It operates as both a defense mechanism and a prison, convincing Sasha that she is unworthy of kindness, love, or belonging.

The concept first appears explicitly when Sasha reflects on her inability to trust after Lily’s death. In Chapter 5, the inner “beast” prevents her from fully participating in the Force unit’s obstacle course, dragging her down with memories of her siblings. From that point, the Beast recurs as a visceral entity that she battles internally — sometimes raging, sometimes coiled in exhaustion.

Where the Beast Reappears

How the Beast’s Meaning Evolves

Initially, the Beast is pure self‑destruction: it drives Sasha to push away anyone who might care for her, isolate herself, and sabotage any chance of happiness. She uses her sharp tongue and cold demeanor to keep people at a distance, believing that if she lets anyone close, she will only hurt them or be hurt again. The Beast convinces her that she is “something that should be handled with care” but also that she is too broken to be saved.

As the story progresses, the Beast begins to change. Damien’s casual naming of her “Beast” transforms the symbol from a private demon into a call sign — a label that the unit uses with affection rather than fear. Dr. Kumar’s revelation that he too once wished for death normalizes her pain, making it less isolating. Tristian’s persistent tenderness wears down the beast’s defenses: when he says he wants to understand every horrible part of her, the beast “slunk low, exhausted,” allowing Sasha to admit she is afraid.

By the later chapters, the Beast is no longer an unstoppable force but a presence Sasha can sometimes quiet. It is still there — it never fully disappears — but she begins to fight it instead of surrendering to it. This evolution mirrors the novel’s themes of healing and the slow, non‑linear process of reclaiming one’s identity after trauma.

Character and Theme Connections

Sasha Cadell — The Beast is her inner critic, born from loss and fed by every betrayal she has endured (her father’s death, her mother’s emotional withdrawal, the deaths of her siblings, and Lily’s death). Her entire character arc is a struggle to stop the Beast from controlling her actions.

Tristian Hayes — He represents the possibility of love and trust. When Sasha pushes him away, the Beast roars approval; when she lets him close, the beast tames. Tristian’s refusal to see her as a monster forces Sasha to confront the Beast directly.

Damien — By giving Sasha the call sign “Beast,” he normalizes her internal struggle. His teasing affection shows that the Beast can be reframed as a source of strength rather than shame.

Levi — He pushes Sasha physically and emotionally, telling her to “fight” her demons. His own past trauma (he admits he spent his life doing the same thing) creates a parallel that encourages Sasha.

Themes:

• Trauma and Healing: The Beast is a direct symbol of unprocessed trauma. Sasha heals when she acknowledges it, names it, and lets others help her bear it.
• Survival vs. Living: The Beast keeps Sasha in survival mode — functional but empty. Learning to live means befriending the beast without letting it rule.
• Power and Control: Sasha’s struggle with the Beast is a struggle for control over her own identity. Burdon and Kaleo try to manipulate her via her past, but owning the Beast gives Sasha power.
• Conformity vs. Rebellion: The Beast rebels against vulnerability and conformity to Haven’s harsh social rules. By embracing her beast, Sasha refuses to be broken by the system.

Study Questions with Answers

1. Why does Sasha call her internal pain a “beast” rather than a “demon” or “shadow”?

The word “beast” suggests something primal, wild, and animalistic — a force that cannot be reasoned with but can be observed, respected, and eventually tamed. Unlike a “demon,” which implies pure evil, a beast can be part of the natural world. In Beneath, the beast is a survival instinct gone awry: it protects Sasha by keeping everyone away, yet that same instinct prevents her from experiencing love and belonging. The animal metaphor also fits the novel’s underground setting, where humans live like moles beneath a poisoned surface — Sasha is the beast hiding in that darkness, but she is also capable of emerging into light.

2. What event triggers the beast’s emergence in Chapter 5?

In Chapter 5, Sasha fails the rope climb during a Force obstacle course while memories of her siblings’ deaths flood her mind. She recalls her sister Lara saying, “You’re the knight, Sash…I’m not scared.” The beast is born from her inability to save them — specifically from Lily’s death, which Sasha witnessed in the Hospital Ward. Levi later tells her she already touched the top of the rope but then “retreated.” That retreat is the beast winning: it prevents her from fully committing, because if she fails, it confirms her worthlessness. The rope climb becomes a physical metaphor for the struggle against the beast.

3. How does Damien’s decision to call Sasha “Beast” change the symbol’s meaning?

Damien gives Sasha the call sign in Chapter 21 (Chapter 23) after a unit argument about Jaxon joining. He tests possible names — “Venomous Bitch,” “Masochist” — before settling on “Beast.” At first, Sasha is horrified: “Was the thing that lived beneath my skin obvious to everyone?” But Damien uses the name as a badge of respect. From that point, the beast becomes less a private shame and more a shared identity within Unit Seven. The unit reframes it as a strength (“Beast it is”), and Sasha begins to accept that her beast can coexist with belonging. This external validation is a crucial step in her healing.

4. In what way does Sasha’s physical touch with Tristian momentarily silence the beast? Cite evidence.

In Chapter 24 (Chapter 26), after their first real kiss, Sasha notes: “The war beneath my skin quieted. I had never been touched in such a way. That maybe I was worth keeping, protecting.” The gentleness of Tristian’s touch — hesitant, seeking permission — contrasts sharply with the beast’s violent demands. Later, in the same scene, after the kiss deepens, the text says, “The war beneath my skin quieted.” The beast is not destroyed, but it recedes when Sasha feels safe, valued, and seen. This suggests that healing requires trusting another person enough to let the beast sleep, even if it will wake again.