Essay on Control in Song of Solomon -- Song Solomon essays

Fight for Control in vociferation of Solomon The idea of go off independence and indifference to the surrounding world, symbolized by flying, stands as a prominent concept throughout Toni Morrisons novel Song of Solomon. However, the main character Milkman feels that this freedom lies beyond his reach he cannot escape the demands of his family and feel fulfilled at the same time. As Milkmans best friend Guitar says through the novel, Everybody wants a black mans life, a pedagogy Milkman easily relates to while seeking escape from his sheltered life at home. Although none of the characters in the story successfully take control of Milkmans life and future, galore(postnominal) make aggressive attempts to do so including his best friend Guitar who, ironically, sympathizes with Milkmans situation, his frustrated cousin Hagar, and most markedly his father, Macon Dead. Guitar Bains, Milkmans best friend since childhood, serves as Milkmans besides outlet to life outside his seclude d and reserved family. Guitar introduces Milkman to Pilate, Reba, and Hagar, as well as to normal townspeople such as those that meet in the barber shop, and the weekend party-goers Milkman and Guitar fraternize with regularly. However, despite their close friendship, the opportunity to gain a large amount of gold severs all their friendly ties. Guitar, suspecting Milkman took all the gold for himself, allows his edacity and anger to dictate his actions and sets out on a manhunt, ready to take Milkman down wherever and whenever he could in order to retrieve the hoarded riches. Guitars first a few(prenominal) sniper attempts to execute Milkman did fail however, the ending of the novel leaves the reader with the imminent death of either Milkman or Guitar. Ironic that t... ... lives of the Dead family members Milkman, unable to live any time-consuming in an environment composed of animosity, drives him to leave his home and search for his people. Serendipitously, although no single individual gains control of either Milkmans living or dead life, Milkmans wishing to escape from his collective family and surroundings unwittingly captures him and the life he so fervently aims to keep from the control of others. Works Cited Morrison, Toni. Song of Solomon. New York Penguin Books, 1987. Schultz, Elizabeth. African and Afro-American Roots in Contemporary Afro-American Literature The Difficult Search for Family Origins. Studies in American Fiction 8.2 (1980) 126-145. Story, Ralph. An Excursion into the Black World The Seven Days in Toni Morrisons Song of Solomon. Black American Literature Forum 23.1 (1989) 149-158.