Symbolism In Toni Morrison's Song Of Solomon

The use of symbolism as a literary device can be a great component of a novel , and add a magical feeling to any work. In Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon; that is exactly what it did. The novel has many characters; however, only a few will be relevant in this paper. These characters are Milkman, Ruth Dead, First Corinthians, Magdalene(Lena), Macon Dead Jr, Pilate Dead, Freddie, and Guitar Bains. Milkman, or Macon III, is the main character and protagonist in the story. The novel begins with a crowd watching as an insurance agent, Robert Smith, prepares to leap off the roof of Mercy Hospital in Michigan. This crowd contains a few of the important characters Ruth, First Corinthians, Magdalene, Pilate, and Guitar Bains. After Mr. Smith’s leap

The family’s last name is Dead, so death is no stranger to the novel. The symbolism behind the name related to how the family is dead inside. Dr. Giselle Anatol believes that “ Macon has not only died but creates death , the strangulation of his wife and daughter, and the death that permeates the house” (Anatol, “Language Matters II Reading & Teaching Toni Morrison”). This is also true because Macon is the reason for the atmosphere of the household and the relationship they have with one another. Ghosts are used as a symbol in the novel as well. One of the most significant encounters with a ghost happened with Freddie’s mother. In the novel, Freddie tells the story of how he mother was killed by a white bull ghost while giving birth to him. Kleyman believes “The bull’s interference with Freddie’s birth represents white people’s devastating interference with the African-American world.”(Kleyman, Song of Solomon: Toni Morrison). This true because the issues between whites and blacks are prevalent in the novel. According to Dr. Giselle Anatol, “Anything that has to do with whiteness and whiteness as the ultimate goal, the ideal, is damaging to people.” (Anatol, “Language Matters II Reading & Teaching Toni Morrison”). This statement is also true because in the novel whites are killing blacks, and the white bull ghost killing Freddie’s mother is another form of