Solomon 1

In the novel by Toni Morrison, “Song of Solomon”, you are thrown into a predominately black community in which racism is a major issue in the 1930’s & 40’s.  You start to learn about a bunch of major characters in the book as it paints the setting for the entire book.  Starting with Ruth giving birth to “Milkman” after the agent’s plunge of death.  This ties in later when milkman finds out that he cannot fly and loses interest in just about everything in his life because of this.

                The next main character in this book is Pilate who seems to be a savior or wise woman of some sort.  She is actually related to Macon Dead II as she is his sister, but from what I get she is a respected powerful woman who does not need material things and is clear of mind.  She has become one of my favorite characters in this novel. 

                There is a lot of family history in this novel between Pilate and Macon Dead II, then he beats his wife Ruth as they have a terrible marriage.  Macon Dead II seems to be like the black Mr. Scrooge as he walks down the street heartlessly taking their money with no remorse and only the satisfaction of receiving money.  Later in the story he spies on Pilate and is astonished by the children’s and hers singing showing that there is a soft spot in him somewhere.

                Gait was introduced early in the story and as a six seemed like a moderately intelligent individual especially in those days as he can spell out admissions.  Throughout the novel he discovers new ways and reasons why he should hate white people.  This is where milkman comes along as he later starts becoming really good friends with Gait and later meets Pilate because of this.  That is when the story starts to shake things up.

                This is when you learn even more about the family’s history and the reasons behind each character’s actions.  For example Pilate and Macon II are both Macon I’s children and when he dies they seem to of both went the opposite way with it as Pilate is not materialistic and is always happy and Macon II is obsessed with money and is ruthless.  Which is ironic because his wife’s name is Ruth and they have a terrible marriage.