Diving In

In chapter 11 of the novel "Song of Solomon," our main protagonist Milkman comes to a stunning realization that almost transcends his former maturity level that we are familiar with. While on the hunt with the strangers he meets in Shalimar, Milkman gets too tired to follow his partner Calvin since he is out of shape and falls into what can be akin to a mid-life crisis. Before I continue, I think many people, including myself, are subject to the inexplicable feeling that Milkman isn't that old, even when faced events and facts in the novel that prove otherwise. This crisis that occurs showcases the maturity the Milkman has finally attained, something that he might have never gotten. Continuing with his newfound consciousness, Milkman starts to complain about how "these savages" are "devious, jealous, traitorous, and evil," and feels as if he is not deserving of this behavior from this complete strangers (Morrison 276). After coming to the conclusi...

I was very intrigued with the discussion about Pilate and the significance of her name connected to her actions. If you aren't aware of this gem, Pilate sounds akin to the word pilot, which is very justified in the fact that Pilate is one of the few characters in the book that controls her own life by her own reasons. Looking at the other characters in "Song of Solomon" makes this independence of Pilate prominent. For example, Macon is controlled by his love for social status and the need to distance himself from his past. Ruth is controlled by the absence of love in her life and the constant nagging of her unrequited love for Milkman. Hagar is obsessed with Milkman to the point where his  life isn't significant; only the title of Hagar's possession will soothe her insatiable hunger. Guitar is consumed by his need to gain vengeance against the white Americans and keep "the numbers ... remain[ing] static" (Morrison 158). Milkman isn't consumed by a...

Yes, I know, the title must seem quite odd. If you're worried about the potential for intelligent thoughts in the post, don't worry; none will be made. In my past blogs, I usually have focused on my blog's theme of "Diving In" by taking themes and details we discuss in class and documenting my individual thoughts on the certain subject. This is not the case this week I'm afraid. Horror and disgust have flooded my very being because of two very, very traumatizing instances in the novel "Song of Solomon." One includes the moment Milkman thinks about how "Sleeping with Hagar had made him generous" (Morrison 69). Last time I checked, Hagar and Milkman are related. How awesome. Don't forget the the description of Ruth "Naked as a yard dog, kissing [Dr. Foster]" when Dr. Foster, her father, passes away (Morrison 73). I'm sorry that you had to read that, but don't fret; every word in this book is necessary for us as stud...

When Nick says "after Gatsby's death the East was haunted for me like that," I couldn't help but feel nothing but doubt (Fitzgerald 176). Why should Nick feel anything but relief? Didn't he say that he didn't know Gatsby that well? I would like to think that he feels this way because even though Gatsby and Nick's relationship might not be amazing, Nick still cared for Gatsby, and vice versa. Without each other, they wouldn't have discovered things about themselves and their pasts. It is quite interesting to see their relationship develop throughout the novel, but I related this odd relationship to my life. Never in my life have I felt like Nick has in any circumstance, so I was quite confused. Why should he feel the need to deserve an illegal bootlegger that essentially used him to get close to Daisy? All I can think of Gatsby is as a ghost, something haunting Nick to the end of his days. Just as Nick recalls Gatsby's effect on him, Nick only re...