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.
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.
It is not a linear or straightforward story, but rather a mosaic of fragments, flashbacks, dreams, songs, myths, and legends that gradually reveal the larger picture.
It is also full of allusions, metaphors, symbols, and references that enrich its meaning and significance.
Some tips for reading Song of Solomon are:
- Pay attention to the names of the characters and places, as they often have multiple meanings and associations.
- Listen to the voices and dialects of the characters, as they reflect their personalities and backgrounds.
- Notice the motifs and patterns that recur throughout the novel, such as flight, gold, milk, colors, birds, and trees.
- Compare and contrast the different perspectives and experiences of the characters, especially the men and women, the rich and poor, the urban and rural, and the old and young.
- Research the historical and cultural context of the novel, such as the Great Migration, the Civil Rights Movement, the Black Power Movement, and the African Diaspora.
Song of Solomon is a novel that invites multiple readings and interpretations. It is a novel that challenges, inspires, and transforms its readers. It is a novel that celebrates the power and beauty of language and literature.
