Song of Solomon (novel)

Song of Solomon (novel)
Name	Song of Solomon
Author	Toni Morrison
Country	United States
Language	English
Genre	African-American literature, Magical realism
Publisher	Alfred A. Knopf
Release date	1977
Pages	337
Isbn	0-394-49784-8
Preceded by	Sula (novel)
Followed by	Tar Baby

Song of Solomon (novel). It is the third novel by acclaimed American author Toni Morrison, published in 1977 by Alfred A. Knopf. The narrative follows the life of Macon "Milkman" Dead III, an African-American man living in Michigan, whose journey of self-discovery leads him to explore his family's complex history in the American South. The novel won the National Book Critics Circle Award and was instrumental in Morrison later receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature for her transformative contributions to the literary landscape.

Plot summary

The story begins in 1931 with the suicide of Robert Smith, an insurance agent, witnessed by a crowd that includes Ruth Foster Dead as she gives birth to Macon "Milkman" Dead III. Milkman grows up in an affluent, stifling household in an unnamed city in Michigan, dominated by his materialistic father, Macon Dead Jr., and emotionally fragile mother. His aunt, Pilate Dead, a bootlegger who carries a bag of bones she believes contains her father's remains, represents a spiritual counterpoint to his father's greed. Feeling alienated, Milkman embarks on a quest with his friend Guitar Bains to find a legendary cache of gold his father and aunt supposedly left in a cave in Virginia. His journey south becomes a reverse migration, leading him to the fictional town of Shalimar, where he uncovers the true story of his ancestor, Solomon, a legendary enslaved man who, according to family lore, flew back to Africa. Milkman's physical and genealogical search culminates in a profound understanding of his identity and a final, ambiguous confrontation with Guitar.

Themes and analysis

Central themes include the search for identity, the destructive nature of materialism, and the vital importance of reclaiming one's cultural and personal history. The novel extensively explores the significance of names and naming, as characters' given names, like Macon Dead, often reflect historical traumas inflicted by white institutions such as the Freedmen's Bureau. The motif of flight operates on multiple levels, symbolizing both escape from oppression and the abandonment of family responsibilities, as seen in the myth of Solomon. Morrison weaves elements of African-American folklore and Greek mythology to create a rich tapestry that examines the legacy of slavery, the complexities of community, and the quest for self-actualization outside of capitalist values.

Characters

* Macon "Milkman" Dead III: The protagonist, whose nickname originates from his prolonged breastfeeding, signaling his initial passive existence. * Macon Dead Jr.: Milkman's wealthy, ruthless father, a landlord obsessed with property and social status. * Ruth Foster Dead: Milkman's mother, daughter of the town's first Black physician, Dr. Foster, trapped in a loveless marriage. * Pilate Dead: Macon Jr.'s sister, a spiritually powerful, earless woman who lives outside conventional society. * Guitar Bains: Milkman's best friend, a member of a secret society called the Seven Days that executes vengeance for racial murders. * Hagar Dead: Pilate's granddaughter, who becomes obsessively in love with Milkman. * Solomon: The mythical great-grandfather of Milkman, said to have flown from slavery. * Circe: A mysterious midwife who helps deliver Macon Jr. and Pilate after their father's murder.

Background and publication history

Toni Morrison began writing the novel while working as an editor at Random House in New York City. The title is derived from a book of the Bible, the Song of Songs, which is also known as the Song of Solomon, reflecting the work's lyrical prose and themes of love and yearning. Morrison conducted research into African-American history and folklore to ground the magical elements of the narrative. It was published to significant acclaim in 1977, solidifying her reputation following her previous works, The Bluest Eye and Sula.

Critical reception and legacy

Upon release, *Song of Solomon* received widespread critical praise, winning the National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction. It was a main selection of the Book of the Month Club, marking the first novel by a Black writer to be chosen since Richard Wright's Native Son in 1940. The novel is frequently cited as a masterpiece of 20th-century literature and was pivotal in the Swedish Academy's decision to award Morrison the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993. It is consistently taught in literature courses across institutions like Harvard University and is celebrated for its complex narrative and profound exploration of the African-American experience.

Adaptations

A notable television film adaptation, *Song of Solomon*, was produced by Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Productions and aired on NBC in 1998. The adaptation starred Lynne Thigpen as Pilate Dead and was directed by Andrew Davis. While the novel's epic scope and magical realism present significant challenges for adaptation, it has also inspired numerous theatrical productions and is a frequent subject of academic analysis and critical study.

Category:Novels by Toni Morrison Category:American novels adapted into films Category:National Book Critics Circle Award-winning works