Pilate My Own Life

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 anything in particular, but it's more important the he is not guided by anything. Pilate seems to be one of the only characters in the novel who decides what she wants to do with no ulterior motive present. In addition to this separating herself from the rest of the characters in the book, I think Morrison created this character as a notice to her audience. Pilate is an example of what everyone should be: someone driven by their own goals, not affected by someone else. I'm not completely sure if I agree with this idealistic approach to life, but it sure works out in Pilate's case. I guess I'll think of Pilate the next time I decide to make an important decision, and become the chief pilot in my own life.