Toni Morrison’s novel, Song of Solomon, encompasses many themes that were prevalent in the other novels written in the same time period. Morrison produced this novel in 1977 just as racial issues and discrimination were at its peaks. “She [Morrison] was the first African American to receive the Noble Prize in Literature.” (Milliman 5) However, the setting of the story is in the 1930s when World War II was taking place. The novel is based on an African-American family residing in Michigan who are victims of racism and social discrimination. The story focuses on Milkman Dead, the main character, who is naïve and leaves his family and friends behind to become an independent, wealthy upperclassman. “Milkman discovers the intricacies of his family’s heritage, a discovery that connects him to life and, ironically, simultaneously frees him from life.” (Prescott 8). Milkman starts and ends his journey with his family by overcoming obstacles in his path. Milkman realizes that his identity and race are important to know for his journey and enters a whole new world once he discovers his family’s history.
While Milkman was living at home with his mother and father, he felt as he did not receive the comfort of family as he should. Milkman’s father, Macon Jr., despises his wife and abuses her. Milkman does not stand for this and fights Macon Jr. for his mother, Ruth Foster Dead. Milkman begins to feel uncomfortable after Macon tells him that Ruth imbibed her father’s fingers after his death. Macon Jr. is selfish and greedy about becoming wealthy and drives his family to misery. Macon Jr. is who influences Milkman to go on his own and become wealthy. Milkman, at this point, is confused as to who he is. He does not know in which direction his life is leading him. Milkman’s sisters hate him, he is scared of his mother, and he works for his father. Milkman does not have a life of his own and cannot say that he is independent.
Milkman is about to leave his family behind when Macon Jr. informs him of a green bag in Pilate’s home that is full of gold. Milkman and his best friend Guitar Bains go to Pilate’s house to steal the gold so he and his father can become wealthy. Guitar can be described as an extremist and is part of the Seven Days organization. When an African American in the community is murdered, members of the Seven Days retaliate by putting a white person to death the same way the African American was murdered. As Guitar’s grandmother said to him, “A nigger in business is a terrible thing to see. A terrible, terrible thing to see.” (Morrison 22). This was intended towards Milkman’s father and what type of a business man he was; always being selfish and greedy for wealth. This is how Milkman realizes how his race plays a role in society. Pilate is Milkman’s aunt who treats him as her own son and is protective over him. Unfortunately for Milkman and Guitar, they did not find gold but they found Milkman’s grandfather’s bones. This triggers Milkman and he...
