Song of Solomon transcended my initial impression of weird, incest novel. The end left me in a conflict as to whether flying was good or bad. There were several pieces of evidence in the book that made me think flying, while initially appearing like a majestic form of leaving behind the bad parts of society, whetehr that be racism, slavery, or insurance collecting, is bad because of the other things you leave behind. People depend on others, and chances are if you fly away you are leaving behind someone who loves or depends on you. That is why Pilate heard her dad telling her that you can't just leave someone. That is why Ryna still screams when the wind hits her gulch right. And that is why Hagar died. However, Morrison's last sentence really makes me feel like flying is not all bad. It is Milkman's dream, and the way he discovers it is possible seems like an incredible experience to me. I decided that when Milkman flew, he was not leaving anyone behind. Hagar had already died because he left her, after he told his family about his history they were somewhat indifferent, and Pilate had just died in his arms. I think the message is that people should fly if they can, but they have to be careful they do not cause pain to those they leave behind.
I am looking forward to reading Jazz, which Morrison said was her best novel in her interview.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Yuck
First off, that incest scene was nasty. Besides Ruth lying with her dad "naked as a yard dog, kissing him," the part that really got to me was Macon's description of the dad as a "white rat" (73). The image grossed me out. Which is probably good because if it did not then something is wrong with me. Nightmares are coming. What is Milkman supposed to do? His dad's story just completely messed him up and now he is having flashbacks of himself breastfeeding.
Till has it worse though.
Milkman is growing up and it seems like he is on teams. He is on a team by himself against his family and he is on the team blacks that is fighting against the discrimination of whites. He is caught in the middle of the civil war within his family. His dad hates his mom and his sisters are just there. They make rose petals and glare at him when he knocks down Macon but they do not really seem to do anything. The story about Till puts Milkman against more opposition besides his family, whites. A white man can do anything to a black man without consequence because there "ain't no law for no colored man except the one sends him to the chair" (82). So far I am seeing Milkman against the world. At least he is together with the other black men fighting racism, but still it seems like the odds are against them winning.
Flight seems like an important theme. When Hagar says that "some of [her] days were hungry ones," Pilate realizes "she don't mean food" (48-49). Pilate then sings the same song she sang when Robert Smith tried to fly away. I was confused when I read this part, but here is my interpretation: I think Hagar wants to "fly" away from something. Maybe poverty or maybe oppression, I am not sure. Pilate's recollection of her mother's "blue...ribbons" that she wore before she "died" also reminded me of flight (42-43). Robert Smith was wearing blue wings when he tried to fly away. I think blue could represent flight or death or both. Flying could be a way to freedom, and so could death.
My point is this. The Newsday writer who said, "[Morrison's] writing evokes the joyful richness of life" must not have read the book about which he or she was talking (back of the book).
Till has it worse though.
Milkman is growing up and it seems like he is on teams. He is on a team by himself against his family and he is on the team blacks that is fighting against the discrimination of whites. He is caught in the middle of the civil war within his family. His dad hates his mom and his sisters are just there. They make rose petals and glare at him when he knocks down Macon but they do not really seem to do anything. The story about Till puts Milkman against more opposition besides his family, whites. A white man can do anything to a black man without consequence because there "ain't no law for no colored man except the one sends him to the chair" (82). So far I am seeing Milkman against the world. At least he is together with the other black men fighting racism, but still it seems like the odds are against them winning.
Flight seems like an important theme. When Hagar says that "some of [her] days were hungry ones," Pilate realizes "she don't mean food" (48-49). Pilate then sings the same song she sang when Robert Smith tried to fly away. I was confused when I read this part, but here is my interpretation: I think Hagar wants to "fly" away from something. Maybe poverty or maybe oppression, I am not sure. Pilate's recollection of her mother's "blue...ribbons" that she wore before she "died" also reminded me of flight (42-43). Robert Smith was wearing blue wings when he tried to fly away. I think blue could represent flight or death or both. Flying could be a way to freedom, and so could death.
My point is this. The Newsday writer who said, "[Morrison's] writing evokes the joyful richness of life" must not have read the book about which he or she was talking (back of the book).
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