Differences Between Macon J. And Pilate

Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon tells the life story of Milkman and his family. The novel is well written and complex, while talking about several complex issues such as race, gender, and class. Although the novel makes reference to the several issues, the novel primarily focuses on what people’s desires are and their identities. Specifically through the difference between Macon Jr. and Pilate, Morrison illustrates that our most authentic desires come not from material items, but from our wish to connect with others. In the novel, the characters Macon and Pilate are siblings with very different ways of living. Macon values his wealth and his reputation more than anything else, including his family. He stopped talking to his sister because he believed that she stole the gold they found from him. He also is embarrassed of people in the town finding out that his sister is a criminal. Everything Macon does is to gain the wealth and show off his

She has a “sheer disregard for status, occupation, hygiene, and manners” which leads her to “affirm spiritual values”, as Valerie Smith says in her article. Throughout the novel, Pilate is pictured as a woman who defies the stereotypical woman of the time period. Contrary to the women in the novel, she doesn’t need a man to take care of her and her family. She doesn’t care about her status or about money, unlike Macon. Her small family is happy together and they do not need all the material items that Macon and his family has. With none of the materials items Macon has, Pilate is able to have a sense of loyalty and devotion with her family. She protected Milkman since before he was born by helping his mother, Ruth, get pregnant again with him. Pilate also is able to have compassion unlike Macon. This is shown by her carrying the bones of her father in a green sack for many years because she believed she killed a man. Feeling guilty, she decided to always carry the body with