Analysis of Song of Solomon

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Song of Solomon

Significance of Title: Relates to the song about Milkman’s great grandfather, Solomon, also the name of last book in the Old Testament. Reveals underlying connections and message of novel. Setting: A city near Lake Superior, Not Doctor Street, Danville, Shalimar POV: Third person limited omniscient, Reader feels as if apart of cities and lifestyles, does not reveal all character thoughts. Plot: Begins with Mr. Smith about to jump from Mercy Hospital, Time skip to the Dead family, Macon Jr still breast fed at four years old by mother, Freddie (town crier) sees this, Macon Jr forever named Milkman, Time skip eight years, Milkman befriends Guitar, Both go to visit Pilate/Milkman’s aunt, They learn how to make soft boiled eggs, Milkman falls in love with Hagar (Pilate granddaughter), Time skip again, Pilate reveals childhood background, Reveals that she and Macon Sr. grew up in Danville, Talks about family farm, the cave, the gold, and Circe, Milkman hits father in retaliation for hitting Ruth (mother), Macon Sr. reveals Ruth’s finger sucking story, Time to skip to Milkman at 31,Milkman leaves Hagar, She tries to kill him once a month-for 6 months, Guitar reveals membership in the Seven Days, kills white people in retaliation for black murders. Macon Sr. convinces Milkman to steal green bag from Pilate, convinced of gold in it, Reveals more background info, Macon killed a man in the cave, Pilate chases him off, Pilate disappears with gold, Guitar helps Milkman steal gold, Discover bones in the bag, Arrested by police, Pilate testifies to bail both out, Milkman heads to Danville to find gold, Lead to Circe, Elaborates background of Pilate and Macon Sr. Milkman finds no gold in the cave, Decides to head to Virgini...

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.../Discovery- Journey can be outward or inward. Finding oneself is paramount. Milkman discovers his authentic self while away from home; finds freedom and responsibility. Quotes: “Milkman stood before his mirror and glanced… at his reflection…But it lacked coherence…trying to make up his mind whether to go forward or to turn back.” (69-70) Milkman reflecting on self; believes his parts don’t “fit”. Does not know what he values, has no sense of identity. “Now it seemed that he was always saying or thinking he didn’t deserve…” (276) Turning point in novel, Milkman begins to take responsibility for self, Understands himself more. “He didn’t miss; his sense of direction was accurate…”(280) Symbolic of Milkman’s new found affirmation in self; knows where he’s going and wants to go. “If you surrendered to the air, you could ride it.” (337) Milkman finds freedom in self.

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