Song of Solomon (novel)
| 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 0452260116 Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character |
Song of Solomon (ISBN 0452260116) 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.
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. The main theme in the novel is Milkman's quest for identity, as he slowly tries to piece together the history of his ancestors. Indeed, the "Song" of the title refers to a female descendent who wanted to fly. 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]).
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.
See also
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