Song of Solomon (novel)

Song of Solomon

Song of Solomon cover
Author	Toni Morrison
Language	English
Publisher	Plume Books; Reissue edition
Publication date	1977
Publication place	U.S.A.
Media type	Print (Hardcover, Paperback)
Pages	337
ISBN	ISBN 0-452-26011-6

Song of Solomon (ISBN 0-452-26011-6) is a novel by Pulitzer-prize and Nobel-prize winner Toni Morrison, published in 1977. It follows the life of Macon "Milkman" Dead III, an African-American male living in Michigan, from birth to adulthood. The main character "Milkman" derives his nickname from the fact that he was breastfed for far too long, and a passing neighbour happens to see him through the window, being breastfed by his mother. He is so tall by now his feet are touching the floor. He quickly gains a reputation for being a "Mummy's boy" - this is in direct contrast to his best friend, Guitar.

The main theme in the novel is Milkman's quest for identity, as he slowly tries to piece together the history of his ancestors. A secondary strand to the main plot is the difficult relationship between the father and his wife and daughters, in particular, First Corinthians seems destined to lead a lonely and arid life, until she finally finds a companion.

The novel is written in the third person, so the narrative weaves in and out from each characters viewpoint, also we are given insight into Macon and Pilate's early life together. Their personal history and the effects of slavery unite into a common theme of finding an identity, displacement, and the effects of distorted love.

The novel ends on a poignant note; after resolving to confront Guitar, Milkman finally learns to fly.

This book won Morrison the National Books Critics Award, was chosen for Oprah Winfrey's popular book club, and was cited in by the Swedish Academy in awarding Morrison the 1993 Nobel Prize in literature (see [1]).

Summary

Milkman has two sisters, "First Corinthians" and "Magdelene" (called Lena). The daughters of the family are named by putting a pin in the Bible; the males are named after their father. The name Macon Dead was derived as a result of an administrative error when Milkman's grandfather had to register at the end of slavery.

Milkman's mother was the Doctor's daughter; she tends to make her husband feel inadequate, and it is clear she idolised her father. Macon Dead is often violent and aggressive towards her. However on one occasion it is Milkman who floors his father after he threatens their mother.

In contrast Macon Dead's sister, Pilate, is seen as nurturing - an Earth Mother type of character. Macon has not spoken to his sister for years and did not think highly of her. She, like Macon, has had to fend for herself from an early age, but she has dealt with her past in a different way. She has one daughter, Reba, and a granddaughter named Hagar. Hagar falls desperately in love with Milkman, and is unable to cope with his rejection. Guitar, Milkman's erstwhile best friend, attempts to kill Milkman multiple times after he incorrectly suspects Milkman of cheating him out of hidden gold.

Major themes

Flight as means of escape

Song of Solomon's epigraph reads: “The fathers may soar / And the children may know their names”. This raises the issue in the novel about identity. On one hand, the novel shows how flight can be a good way to escape constraining circumstances, the novel also points out that flight injures those left behind.

• An example of this in Song of Solomon is when the story of Solomon - great-grandfather of Milkman - is recounted. The story tells of Solomon, who leaped and flew back to Africa to escape the oppression of slavery. He dropped his son who he was attempting to carry with him, and Solomon's flight also drove his wife, Ryna - who he left behind with 21 children, insane.
• Another example is when Milkman leaves Michigan, an action which allows him to grow through the exploration of his family history. His flight however, breaks Hagar's heart and causes her to die.
• The epigraph tries to highlight the ideal compromise between flight and abandonment. It would support Pilate's approach as she is able to escape the confines of society while not abandoning anyone. She physically remains in the same place, with her family, but due to her odd way of living, is not severely limited.

In Song of Solomon, flight is considered possible and natural. Milkman only is able to enter into mature adulthood when he accepts that flight is possible by leaving Michigan. This is an example of the literary technique of magical realism.

Women

The Song of Solomon points out that women are often the ones left behind when the males leave in flight. Examples to support this are:

• Ryna left with children when Solomon flies to Africa.
• Guitar’s grandmother who raises Guitar after his father’s death.

The society in the book praises men who take flight, but do not acknowledge women sufficiently as those who bear much of the workload.

Racism

As with much of African American literature, racism plays a role in the book. Opposing approaches to the problem of racism is a point of contrast between Milkman and Guitar, shown in their discussions on the subject, and racism plays an important role in the family histories of the characters. For example, Guitar's father died as a result of the white employer's negligence - a fact which contributes to Guitar's militant feelings against whites - and the conditions of slavery inspired Solomon's flight back to Africa.

Singing

Singing represents a link to the past. In the case of Milkman, songs he hears cause him to research his family heritage further, where he discovers his grandmother was a Native American woman named Singing Bird. She changed her name to Sing Byrd to better assimilate with those around her.