Diksia.com - Song of Solomon is a 1977 novel by the Nobel Prize-winning American author Toni Morrison. It is her third novel and one of her most acclaimed works.
The novel follows the life of Macon “Milkman” Dead III, an African-American man living in Michigan, from birth to adulthood. Along the way, he discovers his family’s origins, his cultural heritage, and his own identity.
What is Song of Solomon about?
The novel begins with a shocking scene: Robert Smith, an African-American insurance agent, jumps off a roof while trying to fly as a crowd of people gather to watch. His attempt coincides with the birth of Milkman Dead, the first African-American child born in the hospital.
Milkman grows up in a wealthy but dysfunctional family, alienated from his parents, his sisters, and his community. He is nicknamed “Milkman” because his mother, Ruth, still breastfeeds him when he is four years old.
Milkman’s father, Macon Jr., is a ruthless landlord who despises his own father, Macon Sr., who was killed by white men for owning land in Virginia.
Milkman’s aunt, Pilate, is a bootlegger and a conjure woman who lives with her daughter Reba and granddaughter Hagar. Pilate is the only person who knows the true story of her father’s death and the location of his buried gold.
Milkman becomes involved with his cousin Hagar, but soon loses interest in her. Hagar becomes obsessed with him and tries to kill him every month, but always fails.
Milkman also befriends Guitar, a member of a secret group called the Seven Days, who kill white people as a revenge for the racial violence against black people.
Milkman learns from his father that Pilate has a bag of gold that she inherited from her father. He decides to steal it from her, but finds out that the bag contains only human bones.
He then embarks on a journey to Pennsylvania and Virginia to find out more about his grandfather’s land and gold.
Along the way, he meets various people who help him uncover his family history and his connection to the legendary flying African, Solomon.
