Milkman’s quest also puts him in danger, as Guitar believes that he has taken the gold and wants to kill him for it. Milkman has to face his own fears, betrayals, and responsibilities as he tries to fly away from his troubles.
Why is Song of Solomon important?
Song of Solomon is a novel that explores the themes of identity, ancestry, freedom, love, and flight. It combines realistic and fantastical elements to create a rich and complex narrative that challenges the conventional notions of history, race, gender, and culture.
It also celebrates the power of storytelling, language, music, and names as ways of preserving and transmitting one’s heritage.
Song of Solomon is widely regarded as one of Morrison’s best works and one of the most influential novels of the 20th century.
It won the National Book Critics Circle Award in 1977 and was chosen for Oprah Winfrey’s book club in 1996.
It was also cited by the Swedish Academy as one of the reasons for awarding Morrison the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993.
Song of Solomon has inspired many writers, artists, musicians, and activists who have drawn from its rich imagery and symbolism. Some examples are:
- The novel Beloved by Toni Morrison (1987), which also deals with the legacy of slavery and the supernatural.
- The song “Don’t Explain” by Meshell Ndegeocello (1996), which samples Pilate’s song “Sugarman” from the novel.
- The film Daughters of the Dust by Julie Dash (1991), which depicts a Gullah family on an island off South Carolina who trace their roots to Africa.
- The mural “Flying Home: Harlem Heroes and Heroines” by Faith Ringgold (1996), which features portraits of prominent African-Americans from Harlem, including Toni Morrison.
- The sculpture “Turbulence (Whole-Sole)” by Alison Saar (2012), which depicts a woman wearing shoes made of feathers as a reference to Milkman’s flight.
How to read Song of Solomon?
Song of Solomon is a novel that requires careful attention and patience to appreciate its full beauty and depth.
