Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison is a fiction novel about African American life in the post-WWI era of America. The structure and content of the novel is particularly geared towards narrating the idea of control Conformations and deviations to the narrative in Song of Solomon build on this idea of control, especially in relation to Milkman, which comments on the desire for self-determination. Deviations and eventual conformations in the continuity of the novel compared to the conventions of other fictional novels reflects Milkman’s ability to steer through reality and gain freedom. Near the beginning of the novel, the chapters are more self contained, with each chapter being consolidated to itself without much fluidity that leads towards …show more content…
The viewpoint is primarily centralized around one character, Milkman. This puts focus on his character development throughout the majority of the novel. This follows standard conventions of fictional novels, where the viewpoint is primarily centered on one or a select few main characters. Following this convention places emphasis on Milkman’s character progression, recording his shift from dependence to self-determination. However, many novels also have occasional shifts in viewpoint. This is also reflected in Song of Solomon where the viewpoint is briefly placed on Macon Dead and Hagar at certain chapters. When the viewpoint is on Macon Dead, his freedom and control over his life is emphasized, such as when he firmly presses Mrs. Bains to pay rent without compromise. When on Hagar, her lack of control is emphasized, such as when she kept spilling the contents of her shopping bag onto the pavement. The idea of control is present in the two different viewpoints, but are represented in different manners. The contrast between the degree of control the two have portray the outcomes of attempts at self-determination. Although self-determination is desired, the pursuit of such can end in success but has the chance of ending in a catastrophic …show more content…
Milkman’s closest friend, Guitar, is convinced that Milkman has found a hidden stash of gold, and then attempts to murder him for it. Though, Guitar still considers Milkman a friend, as mentioned in page 298. This is odd considering Guitar’s status as one of few characters supporting Milkman. Relationships with legitimate friends are usually not this twisted in normal conventions. Guitars desire for the supposed gold he believes Milkman found drives him to nearly strangle Milkman to death. As a result, the freedom that Milkman has his own destiny is disrupted as now his best friend is after his life. Not only his best friend, but Milkman’s father also holds a similar front in the face of money. Macon Dead argues with Milkman when the latter attempts to take a leave from Macon’s workplace, saying that he needs to take care of what he’s “‘going to leave’”(163). Macon views his relationship with Milkman as one more business-related than blood-related. This is odd since conventionally family relations are held in priority over business ones. This indicates how much he wants Milkman attached to his business, and thus attached to circulation of money that the work provides. This is quite ironic considering that on the very same page, Macon claims that “‘money is freedom’”(163). In this instance, money constricts Milkman in the sense that
For Macon family didn’t' matter to him if money wasn't involve , Pg17 'The one person in the world he hated more than his wife in spite of the fact that she was his sister" refers to the idea that he had no love but hate for his sister Pilate but seem to love the idea that Pilate had gold,also shows how not
When Milkman is set on his odyssey in search of gold, he uncovers his family’s
Despite being together for many years, Milkman’s blunt attitude and inability to value love results in their break-up, as well Hagar attempting to murder him. Additionally, there is Milkman’s father, Macon Dead II, also simply known as Macon Dead, who is the wealthiest man in town. Macon constantly feels the need to show off his wealth as well as be the most powerful person he
As a result Milkman achieve the ability of flight because he was forced to step out of his comfort zone and experience and see the world in a different and an unfamiliar way. The motif of flight representing one's life that is free of burdens, is clearly shown when Milkman and his best friend Guitar is confronted by a white peacock. Milkman ask why the peacock is unable to fly and Guitar says that the peacock has, “too much tail. All that jewelry weighs it down”, (179).
Without familial ties and history, Milkman lacked the wisdom that comes with knowledge of the past, causing a disconnect between Milkman and his people. Milkman’s journey provides him with the answers to his identity problem allowing his family’s past to provide instruction, and protection, and a certain kind of wisdom necessary in finding his true self. Although Milkman must ultimately define himself, he is also defined by his relationships. He cannot learn these lessons in isolation but only within the context of the present community and relations of
In the play Antigone, Sophocles demonstrates the conflict between family and God through the characters of Antigone, Ismene and Creon. Antigone being ambitious and strong willed throughout the play, fights for his brothers honor and proper burial while Ismene on the other hand, is more timid fears the consequences that may occur if the laws are broken. For Creon he is the King and holds most power, until the Gods feel he is incapable. Antigone, Ismene and Creon all use logical and emotional appeals to achieve a compromise to either bury Polynices or not.
Milkman discovers his family name and history, and while on his journey, Milkman finds happiness, understanding, and a sense of identity. While the actual findings of his family is important, Milkman’s discovery of his own identity through his family’s history is the true take-away from the
Toni Morrison’s novel Song of Solomon tells the story of Macon “Milkman” Dead, a character completely alienated from his community, his family and his heritage. The readers follow his journey, during which he attempts to find his “inheritance” of gold that his father, Macon Dead, believes was hidden by Pilate Dead. Instead, he travels to the fictional town of Shalimar where his family line began in America in order to fully understand the cultural heritage that has been left for him - in the process experiencing an understanding of the word home. Home is often represented by the motif of cherries, which different people in Milkman’s immediate family - eventually including Milkman encounter throughout the book. Even though these events are
Throughout Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon, Milkman Dead’s name serves as a constant reminder of his unhealthy relationship with his mother, Ruth Dead, which in itself is a reflection of her deep-rooted issues with her own personal life that are out of Milkman’s control. The significance of Milkman’s name has multiple layers to it. For example, it is important to recall that his real name is Macon because he makes a significant effort to distance himself from Macon Jr. and prove himself to be different from him. Ruth’s breastfeeding him well past his infancy results in his being stuck with the nickname “Milkman” before he is even old enough to understand the situation.
Toni Morrison frequently incorporates her familial background into her literary works. She is an African-American female author who was told African myths and folktales by her family members, who she credits for “instilling in her a love of reading, music and folklore” (“Toni Morrison”). Morrison is fully in touch with and appreciative of her ancestral background, and because of this, she reiterates these tales in her writings. In Song of Solomon, Morrison employs a wide variety of African cultural traditions and folklores to create a unique narrative regarding an African-American man’s quest for self-discovery and his true cultural identity, one that is absent from his current community. One of the most prominent African myths discussed
“What are we? Humans? Or animals? Or savages? (79)”, this quote is from the book, Lord of the Flies by William Golding.
Milkman’s acknowledgment of racism and change in attitude towards women ultimately highlights his maturity and the development of an unmaterialistic identity through his metaphorical
Furthermore, Ruth’s endless, captivating love restricts Milkman and thwarts his personality’s development to a mature man. His search for his self cannot be satisfied at home since he has no space to become independent or is regarded as a separate
A Tale of Two Cities, written by Charles Dickens, surrounds the cities of Paris and London during the late 1700’s. The novel takes place during the French Revolution, a period of social and political upheaval in France and England. While peasants died in the streets from hunger, aristocrats had more money and power than they knew what to do with. A Tale of Two Cities describes, in detail, the poverty of the time period, as well as the struggle of a people able to overcome oppression. The novel is largely based off of occurrences Dickens experienced during his childhood.
She was the sign of misfortune in the entire novel: deprived of sexual interaction with her husband for twenty years, delivering Milkman as a consequence of a shock from a frightening accident, and withstanding the physical violence of her husband even in front of their children. She was never respected or seriously loved by any male characters in the novel—Milkman was ashamed and careless of her, Macon her Husband hated her, and even her father was somewhat embarrassed by their intimacy which Ruth intended. Ironically, she was the daughter of the great Doctor who has a street named after him and the wife of Macon Dead, who is the richest person in town. This contrast emphasizes the tragedy of the character that despite her superior or seemingly advantageous status quo, she still led a miserable life. Morrison quoted that she started the book as an attempt to shatter some of the common stereotypes the 1960s has brought to African American community, which, as she reckons, has left out an enormous portion of the racial character for over-emphasizing the beauty and strength and thereby