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 Chapters 10-15 Song of Solomon The French word "dénouement" literally means "the unravelling" or "the unknotting." This story, so rich in allusion, oral tradition, and complexity of plot finally gets resolved, as much as Morrison will allow it to. She is famous for leaving the reader teetering on the edge of reality. Who caught the reference to Circe? What's really in that green sack? What do you think happens in the end? How well does Milkman complete his hero's journey? This blog post is due July 24, with a response to your classmate by July 31. Article posted July 19, 2011 at 09:33 PM • comment (41) • Reads 1173 • Return to Blog List Add a CommentPosted Comments  Chapters 10-15 were probably the fastest read I have experienced in this book. It was also one of the more confusing sections in the story. The mystery of the title being solved was a great truth to discover. The answer to Milkman's entire ancestry was in the words of the Song of Solomon that the children of the town sang. From the beginning of the second part of the book, it was seen that Milkman's desire to fly was becoming more of a reality. While Milkman was on the plane on the way to the cave, Milkman described a feeling of freedom from his life on the ground and the lives of everyone he knew. At first, I believed that Circe was a ghost, as seen in this book that supernatural entities are real, but as I read I believe she was alive. I believe Circe's role in this book was just to show Milkman another piece to the puzzle he has been trying to solve. Also, as the story progressed I started to notice that Milkman was becoming less worried about gold and more about where his family originated. This shows his transformation from being a person who only thought about himself to a well-rounded guy. This was also shown has his possessions were either stolen or lost along his journey. This was the withering away of his love for materialistic objects. I also think Milkman's dream of flight in the 12 was symbolic to the reader to let it be known Milkman was on the right track. This was shown by his flight without fear being applauded by some unknown force as if by a God. Hagar's death was a crucial detail that needed to happen in order for Milkman to be able to move on from the problems in his past. Now, he no longer will have to worry about Hagar and neither will Ruth. The fact that Milkman's grandfather was known to have flown away made Milkman that much closer to his dream. The comparison of Solomon's wife, Ruth, to Hagar was very obvious. The point was to show that an obsessive love is never a good way to live. Finally, as Milkman's last chapter of his story, he was symbolically baptized in the river with Sweet. It said he came out looking iridescent, meaning a way of being shiny or new. This wiping away of sins that held him down allowed him to fly towards Guitar in the end. As Guitar once said, "if you want to fly, you have to take off the shit that ties you down". In this case, Guitar's own advice worked against his favor. I loved this book because of the symbolism but also the simplicity of the story.
Comment Posted on July 24, 2012 at 08:55 PM by
Sydney M.Victoria, I also was interested to learn why Morrison titled the book The Song Of Solomon. Once it was revealed that the song sung in the beginning of the story was really about his grandfather, I had a little "A-ha" moment. I have some many alternative endings for this story, but not once did I consider that they both died. I lean more towards the idea that Guitar dies, and not Milkman because Pilate gave Milkman Hagar's bones telling him he has to carry them with him. To me, it's a whole new journey he must complete, and he must continue on the legacy of the name. As for Circe, I believe she is an actual person. She used to be Macon Dead II's Nanny, but Circe was portrayed as a guardian angel in the help that she provided to Milkman. Now I could be completely wrong, but that was the direction I took it as I read the novel. I too didn't think the book would be as awesome as it turn out to be, but Morrison did a great job writing this novel. It was full of knowledge, symbols, allusions, and suspense. I now would like to read her other book, Mercy.
Comment Posted on July 31, 2011 at 09:19 PM by
Taylor CRachel H., I agree that with you. I am completely confused with who Macon Jr. actually killed in the cave. At the same time I cannot help that it may be symbolic. The man killed in the cave was actually Macon Jr. killing the old life that he knew so well and becoming some one completely different. I also did not care for Morrison to end the novel the way she did but I think that is what makes it so great. If she really would have made an actual ending something tells me that I would not be happy with the outcome of it. I like the way you ended your response saying “he realizes there is more to life than living, and he can come to peace at last.” That was just a beautiful way to summarize the second part of the novel.
Comment Posted on July 31, 2011 at 09:12 PM by
Kali B.Trevor A, I love your concept of the symbolism of the bones in the green sack. It is very likely that the bones could symbolize a family’s inability to let go, specifically Pilates. Pilate also has problems letting go of the death of Hagar. In the end when Milkman jumped off the cliff, I believe it ended his journey. He spent the entire novel trying to escape from his name, but in the end he flew with his ancestors. I also think the end was predictable, although, I did think Song of Solomon would be more related to the Book of Solomon.
Comment Posted on July 31, 2011 at 08:49 PM by
Zoe FMatt, I agree with you that the state reason for Milkman's journey to find the gold is outweighed by the want to find himself. By going on this quest, he is fulfilling what he wants learns more of his family history and in turn, he learns more about himself and becomes his own man. I believe he completed his hero's journey he set out on. Macon Jr. tells his son the story of what he and Pilate did after they saw their father get shot. They went to the cave and Macon Jr. stabbed the man even though he did nothing to harm the children. I hope this clarifies that for you. I believe the full circle with the the of flying was great. Milkman was born with a man trying to fly and be free in the air, and Milkman's own life when he becomes his own man begins with him attempting flight. Like I stated in my post, I believe the flight is symbolic of freedom, which is what Milkman strives for.
Comment Posted on July 31, 2011 at 06:19 PM by
Trevor B.So, just for clarification, we do NOT have to write a summary for SOS because our blog posts are equivalent to a summary? Plus, we do NOT have to write powerlines because of the same reason and same for vocabulary?CORRECT.
Comment Posted on July 31, 2011 at 03:36 PM by
Aleya WChelsie J, Nice observation about the peacock and its jewelry prohibiting its flight. I think that the jewelry that was prohibiting Milkman from flight was the place he lived, his father, mother, Reba, Hagar, Pilate, Guitar and the mindset of the Seven Days and the racism. I agree with your statement about Guitar. Another reason for joining the Seven Days, he uses their work to reek revenge on whites in respect and pity for his father along with wanting to hunt again and have that thrill. Wow, you definitely blew my mind with all of the mythology; especially since I didn’t catch any of that. The pair of birds and their symbolism makes complete and perfect sense to me and I think that that is what Morrison meant by the two birds picking up Pilate’s earring box. I enjoyed your interpretation. XD
Comment Posted on July 31, 2011 at 03:34 PM by
Aleya WLane, I understand how you could feel that MM was much like his father when first looking for the gold, but I believe it is important to state that he did change from that mind set. In the end, he was the least like his father because he had a caring heart. About Guitar, it is like what Audrey said, “he thinks living is better than dying,” so I am almost sure he left MM the note so he would have a chance to escape. I can say WOW to your last lines about Hagar and the symbolism of her death. White is a reoccurring symbol in this novel, but I think Hagar’s dress might be my favorite.
Comment Posted on July 31, 2011 at 09:00 AM by
Kate LI am trying to think of this reference to Circe you are talking about but it's not clicking! Ahh! Someone will say it and I am going to beat myself up for not remembering or noticing. Now for the green sack, it was really the bones of Jake, Macon and Pilate's daddy. Pilate said she carried the bones around because she felt responsible for the death of the white man. Since they were her daddy's her belief of carrying the burden still works. She felt like she had to be strong once her daddy died. She always heard him speaking to her and she followed him. In a way, that was a burden too for never being allowed to forget. In the end, I'd like to believe that Milkman survives, but I think Guitar ends up killing him. Milkman came full circle, grew up, and finally was able to "fly." I think if he lived, it wouldn't allow him to be fully free as a bird. Dying would mean he would ascend, float or fly if you will, into heaven. Just like Solomon, his great granddaddy, Milkman leaves the filthy world with his new found freedom. Milkman's death is the only thing that could allow him to come full circle. Milkman's journey is completed perfectly. For one, he grows not only in his physical imperfections, his limp (which I almost had a heart attack about when I saw that he lost his limp!), but in her character as a man. He finds out who he is, a rotten man who has treated all woman around him poorly and has become like his cruel father, and he also discovers his roots and family history. All of these findings lead him to a rebirth. When he goes into the "ocean" with Sweet, he comes out a completely different person. Milkman finally discovers who he really is through tough realizations and opening his eyes. Just as his leg grew and he lost his limp, Milkman has grown as a man and lost the weights that held him down all his life. Comment Posted on July 24, 2011 at 05:09 PM by Audrey A. Audrey, I too believe that if milkman Does not die, then he truly cannot fly. If he were to kill Guitar, then he would still have to live the rest of his life with his newfound discoveries, and burdens. If he were to die, then he could fly to heaven, and watch over those he loves. I had yet to see anyone with this same thought, so I guess great minds think a like!! I too enjoyed the part where he went into the ocean and came out a change man. This reference to baptism was fairly obvious, and I feel it was to lead that his sins and burdens were "flying away" so to speak.
Comment Posted on July 30, 2011 at 02:27 PM by
Lane Joseph LeBlanc LAbby I definitely did not pick up on the baptism you stated in your blog. I really thought that was a great insight by you! Also, the Circe connection was brilliant. I didn't catch that either!! I could not agree more with you in saying that the novel ended wonderfully. I was really impressed with your thoughts about flight and its connection with the novel. Honestly, I was impressed with all of your blogs I, but I was never fast enough to respond to you!! You definitely answered some of my own questions about this novel so for that, THANK YOU!!!
Comment Posted on July 30, 2011 at 01:03 PM by
Matthew B.Sarah E., I definitely agree that the ending was not what I expected. When I first read it I felt like my brain was overloaded with all the information that Morrison gave out and explained all at once, and I had to go back and read it again. After doing that, I admit I did like the book a little better and can relate to it more than I originally thought. I also agree that it was great for Milkman to finally learn to appreciate the women in his life and how much they do for him. It was extremely important to the story for him to make things better with Pilate before she died, because the story would not have been the same without it. I love the way you say that he lived his life for all the material things but he died for the man he became and his family he now sees in a different light. It really gave me a new perspective on the end of the novel and I like it much better now. All though I would like to hope that Milkman does not die in the end, I feel that his symbolic “flight” is just one more connection to his family that he was longing for.
Comment Posted on July 28, 2011 at 11:55 AM by
Sarah S.Victoria S, I also am not a fan of novels that leave you to wonder, but I also thought it was very enticing. It was very easy to overlook the Circe reference. I also could relate to Hagar. I also agree with you that being a young, female teenager in this materialistic world can be challenging. I also believe that sometimes being in “love” can lead you to mysterious endings. I also think Milkman did a fantastic job of completing his journey. Sometimes in life you cross over many different speed bumps. In Milkman's case, he learned, conquered, and appreciated life. I really could relate with the journey in this novel.
Comment Posted on July 27, 2011 at 01:08 PM by
Ashley HTrevor B., Wow! I am very impressed with your blog. I’m thrilled that you found a symbolic meaning being Circe. I never think to put two and two together like that. I agree with you 100 percent. I also agree that the bones belong to Macon Dead. While I was reading the ending, I do remember reading about the birds after Pilate dies and wondering what they could mean. I think you nailed it! Your mentioning of the themes and Milkman’s limp helped complete the novel in my head! Very intelligent!
Comment Posted on July 27, 2011 at 11:45 AM by
Sarah E.Kate L, I too don't see the connection with Circe and the Odyssey. I love how you mentioned that the lineage is secretly what drew Milkman to travel, not necessarily the gold. If it were just the gold, Milkman would've been much more upset and obsessed to keep looking. When you mentioned the song, it clicked that "Song of Solomon," the title, is perfect for this novel because it was this song that led Milkman to the final discoveries. I think that Guitar deserved to die, but I don't think he really did. Being as the world is considered evil and corrupt, it would only seem right for Guitar to be the one who stays, since his soul is the one that fell to darkness when Milkman's rose and was enlightened. The irony for Guitar is that he thinks living is better than dying, but Milkman is finally flying and free of the world where Guitar is still stuck. However I do agree that the fact that Milkman became satisfied and realized his ways is enough for me. Being a good man at heart, it would kill me to see him never get his epiphany of life.
Comment Posted on July 26, 2011 at 03:11 PM by
Audrey A.Taylor C, I totally agree. Milkman has come a very long way. He used to be selfish and care only about himself. But towards the end, he definitely has a strong change of heart that I feel is very good for him. This whole novel is completely full circle. I love how Morrison reveals certain aspects at certain times. It makes the reader wanting to keep flipping the page. For the ending, I do not feel like Guitar will kill Milkman. Milkman has changed so much, and for him to just die after him finding his family history out, is unheard of. By full circle, I mean that the reader finds out the whole story. Sing left and went with North with Jake. Also, Solomon and Ryna were slaves and had ALL boys! “Jake” just happened to be the last one! When Solomon tried to take Jake to his journey, he ended up rubbing against tree branches, and then, starting the journey of Heddy having Jake. Heddy also has Sing and and Crow, therefore having Sing and Jake brother and sister. Everything finally revealed itself and made sense! I also agree with Morrison doing an excellent job at telling African Americans culture. Racism does revolve around certain aspects in the novel. Solomon marries Ryna, in result of leaving to find his freedom. Also, Guitar, having his father die because of white employers puts a huge dent in his heart. I also feel that all of this built up in his heart caused him to become a murderer. He was not like this before in the novel, and then whenever he suffered his own tragedy, and it happened to HIM, everything broke loose and his character changed dramatically.
Comment Posted on July 26, 2011 at 01:00 PM by
Jocy DZoe, Like you, I found that the last chapters were full of symbolism. The symbolism helped embellish her ending, making it more creative than most endings. To screws (WHAT?) Circe, couldn't the dogs she has be people that she just turned into dogs for her pleasure? Maybe the owners didn't die, but were just turned into dogs so Circe could rule over them instead of them ruling over her. I like your thoughts about Hagar. Maybe Morrison was trying to show how bad an obsessive and materialistic life could be. Life should not revolve around material things, instead it should revolve around philosophy, education, and nature. I think Macon Jr. just killed a stranger in the cave, someone who was just trying to live his life. I do not think, though, that Milkman flew off of the cliff. I think he just wanted to ride the wind before he would go and meet with his ancestors in the sky.
Comment Posted on July 26, 2011 at 11:54 AM by
Trevor A. Kali, I am also quite pleased with the ending of the novel. I see how Milkman changed himself completely, ultimately completing his quest. He finally got all of his questions answered, except for where the gold was, but that was not so important in the end. I also admire your outlook on Circe! I did not catch onto her symbolic ways, probably because I did not really remember who Circe was in the first place. I also like the way you would like the novel to end. I did not think about him literally flying at all, but rather figuratively flying, like Pilate. And wow, I almost forgot about the Days all together! I wonder what the other six would say. If they are only supposed to kill whites, what would happen if Guitar killed Milkman, a man of color? That is a very interesting question.
Comment Posted on July 25, 2011 at 06:37 PM by
Rachel H.Keyaire, I have to say that I thought Milkman would change from the start. I would have been very disappointed if he did not. I think it is very smart of you to say that Milkman was referred to as everyone’s piece of gold. I have to say that I was not shocked when Hagar died because women depended on men very much. They were not independent and being that Hagar grieved for Milkman’s love… I knew it was coming. It confused me too about the whole Guitar and Milkman situation. If material things was not so important to Guitar, then why did he make such a big deal about the gold? When Milkman’s leg grows back to normal, that is a definite sign that he completes his quest. I have to agree with you on that one! I think that Guitar did not initially mean to shoot Pilate. I believe he just missed Milkman and accidentally shot Pilate, but who knows… I have to say I was also pleased with Morrison’s novel. It was really a cliff hanger! :)
Comment Posted on July 25, 2011 at 05:46 PM by
Abby D. Aleya, I never really thought of Pilate's father's bones as being a type of gold to her.Now I do though,because she treasured her father just like she would treasure gold.I agree that Milman's quest was to find out his family's past.The knowledge he aquired from his quest showed how powerful his people as well as himself really are.He did not know he had the power to change anything,let alone himself,but once he found out what is great grandfather accomplished,that is when he realized that he could also accomplish something great.Milkman's "gold" was really his people,I agree.There is nothing more important than family,and throughout this whole novel,Milkman did everthing to please his family.His father,mother, sisters,Pilate,Hagar,Reba.It was all for them.I agree that the flight Milkman as well as Solomon took was a spiritual kind.They both could not handle the situations going on in their world.Solomon had 21 kids and was an ex-slave.So it was most probably hard to provide for all of those children including a wife and himself with really no income.Milkman had the worries of trying to please everyone else but himself. They could just not handle it all.All the weight of the world was on their shoulders.I also did think that Milkman was just in lust with Hagar and not love.It was really all about the sex.Her sex was what Milkman wanted and that is all.Now that I think about it,identity did have a role in this novel.Hagar did not know who she was without Milkman.She was just miserable as ever without him.With him she was on cloud nine.When she realized who she was when Pilate showed her herself in the compact,she then had to reconcile with herself that she was just being used for sex.Aleya you went so far into the identity thing!That was a really good explanation I could not have put it in better words.And I agree with you!
Comment Posted on July 25, 2011 at 03:45 PM by
Keyaire R.The last few chapters of this novel were awesome!I did not think that Milkman would truly change but he did.Milkman was referred to as being everybody else's gold because they all wanted something from him,or a piece of him.They also all wanted his life,in one way or the other.But Milkman overcame all of those obstacles.The purpose of Milkmans quest was to find out his past,or ancestors,so he could better his future.If Milkman would have went the rest of his life without knowing his family's past, then he might have been dead a long time ago.Piece by piece he figured it out and connected his past with his present. Just like Ryna,Hagar was also obsessed with a man.I was so shocked to find out that Hagar died.I think it was for the better that she did die or else she would have lived a more horrible life when Milkman returned.He never did love her.It is still a mystery to me as to why Guitar turned on Milkman as he did.I understand the gold was the main problem,but Guitar portrayed himself as being the type to not care about material things such as gold.I guess I was wrong.The whole situation with Circe was also confusing.Surely she must be over 110 years old.It is not impossible to live that long,but in those days it was very unlikely.But like this novel,anything is possible.I was so glad to know that Milkman completed his quest.The way Morrison describes this is when she reveals that his leg stops growing.Also when the men are cleaning out the bobcat.Milkman renews himself or baptises himself when he asks Sweet to bring him to a sea or something like a sea.While he is in the bank,he becomes a new person,therefore completing his quest.When Pilate realizes that it is her father's bones that she has been carrying,she has closure with herself as to who she is.I did hope that she and Macon would reconcile and start talking to each other again,but that never got to happen.I will always wonder why Guitar shot Pilate and not Milkman.Milkman was the one he was after.And even after he kills Pilate and goes over to talk with Milkman does he still call Milkman his "main man".The imagery of Milkman flying in the last sentence of the novel was just beautiful.It just made my heart feel numb just picturing it.There was Milkman flying,just as his great grand father had did.This is where I think Guitar kills Milkman.Because Milkman "flies" or goes home(dies) to be with the people who truly love him, Pilate and Hagar.Morrison really did a great job with this novel and I really enjoyed it.*Mrs.Ancelet how many points did I get off for submitting it late?I really thought it was due today. Sorry!
Comment Posted on July 25, 2011 at 03:31 PM by
Keyaire R.Sarah S., I disagree that the ending was not as good because it was a cliff hanger. I believe that it is an excellent use of literary technique because it is mysterious this way and lets the reader try to gather clues as to what they think happened; to create their own story. I also feel that Milkman accomplised what he did not want to accomplish, but he did have to. he had to do what he did not want to do because that is part of growing as a character. Let's use Harry Potter as an example. Do you think he wanted to accomplish all those trials and tribulations he was put through? No, of course not, they were awful. However, he had to in order to avenge his family, kill his enemy, and live in peace and not run from his evils. Same in Song of Solomon. Milkman wished to find himself to calm his evils and live at peace. i understand how this can be frustrating, because you don't know how he finds his peace, but from what i gather in the last chapter, i believe he does. He is a christ-like figure, and Guitar is the devil. He embraces his friend even though he is trying to make him give in to the evils, and in the last chapter, shooting at him. I agree that maybe he did not come to terms completely with letting earthly treasures go, and knowing that family history is richer than anything else, but the cliff hanger allows us to hope for the best, and i also believe the boxes stood for pandora's box. The only thing left in the bottom was hope. I don't believe that Milkman will be left with Hagar's guilt on his shoulders. I don't think he believes that's what she would have wanted. I think the green sack that contained their father's bones rather than the white man's bones made a lot of sense. Pilate even said that once you kill someone you own them. In this way, Pilate owned his bones, and he visited her in spirit. I thought this was somthing that the reader has to pay attention to in the story. I believe Tnoi Morrison added this in to keep the reader's attention. Your interpretation of Pilate being Milkman's guardian angel is very true. Throughout the whole novel, it seems as though she was his savior. I hope he does touch Sweet's life and takes her out of her prostitution state to make an honest woman of her. Sweet reminds me of the story of Mary Magdeline. I agree on your summary of how you felt about the novel. How very symbolic Morrison was throughout the whole book, and deeply thoughtful in her writing.
Comment Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:32 PM by
Chelsie jMilkman seems to be overly obssessed with this gold, that is not even his. His family does not even own it. However, these last chapters were more about a beautiful story about a boy becoming a man, and with adulthood, facing the temptations. It seems as though Milkman is trying to escape his "horrible" tied down life with money, and as Guitar said, the peacock could not fly because of how heavily jeweled it was, as well as Milkman. He intends to "fly away" with the money, to buy nice things and finally become who he wants to be. The irony? he has no idea who he is, and he is slowly finding himself through his family history, and he is overlooking it. Milkman says, "I hope it is a rainbow, and nobody has run off with the pot, cause I need it." Guitar replies "everybody needs it." Milkman says, " Not as bad as me." (Morrison 221). He expresses money as a need, not a want. While people envy Milkman for having so much money. What those people don't know, is that Milkman is subconciously jealous of them. Most people are limited in what they have, and therefore, cherish the spiritual aspects of life, but Milkman's mind is only on gold. He was so nervous to get to the gold, he completely ignored the straight, safe path to the cave and wound up with a stomach ache, tired feet, wet clothes, a broken shoe, and no gold. I believe that Guitar's anger toward whites not only stems from the treatment of Blacks in this time period, but also because his father was sliced in half. Furthermore, the treatment of burying the dead seems to be an important thing to worry about, and they threw the pieces of his father one ontop of the other so that the first thing he sees when he enters heaven "would not be glory or the magnificent head of God-- or even the rainbow. It would be his own other eye." (morrison 224). Milkman's encounter with Circe was very striking and odd because she appeared to be dead, a ghost. However, she appeared alive, and for over a hundred years. She also had many dogs at her feet, which is an excellent parallel to the mythological Circe, who turned humans into animals, and made travelers eat them. Oddly enough, she had a fear of those same dogs eating her when she died. Circe says a curious statement about Pilate, "I hadn't heard a heartbeast anywhere. She just came on out." (Morrison 244). She was born to a half indian woman, with no belly button, by a slave who's masters killed Pilate's father, and her name is Circe. Very suspicious. Milkman learns his grandmother was mixed, and an indian. Her name was Sing. Many of the characters in this novel, even ones that are not in the Dead family, have biblical names. This is the first character that does not. Circe says to Milkman, "You don't listen to people. your ear is on your head, but it's not attached to your brain. (Morrison 247). Truer words could not have been said to Milkman. Even if he did deserve this gold, and pushed himself to his limits, he could not obtain the gold, because he doesn't listen to what he should do, he just takes it upon himself to do it his own way. I believe this will be his downfall. When Milkman receives a note that says "Your day has come" i didn't grasp the concept and had to go back and read it. I realized it was the Seven Days' calling card. Why would Guitar try to strangle his friend? When he switches from his suit to his military fatigues, i think, wow, he's trying to become a man by putting on this uniform, but he is no where near being a man. He finally meets the love of his life, and still, overlooks her because of this precious gold. He knows he genuinely cares about her. There seems to be many Pandora's boxes lying around in this novel. Pilate's earring, and the box of cookies that Macon takes instead of his watch, and the box also contains the address of Grace Long. The story of Pandora's box is attributed with evils in the box, and the only thing left being hope. I believe this is an excellent parallel to the storyline. It's very ironic at the last minute, Guitar realizes how important family is to him, and how Guitar is convinced that Milkman has shipped the gold home because he helped the man lift the crate. Guitar's threats of "Impending doom" really set the tone, for friendship. Here is where the novel turns really paralleled into the Odyssey. He spends the night with Sweet, and wishes to return to Hagar. Just like when Odysseus spends the night with the witch, and wishes to return to his wife. The song being a form of family history in Native American heritage was very useful, since Milkman finds the "song of Solomon" to be the story of his grandfather, Jake. It is also odd that someone was singing this song while the man was trying to "fly" off the roof, so many years ago. He rushes home, finally finding his true self, to discover Hagar is dead. The last part of the novel was slightly confusing, but not. The pair of birds appeared to be Sing and Jake to me. They lifted the earring box with them, symbolically taking with them, the baby they could not before. The soul that has died now. Milkman's journey may not have allowed him to fly physically, but eventually, metaphysically he will.
Comment Posted on July 24, 2011 at 11:57 PM by
chelsie jI was very interested to read about how the title played into the story. Milkman did a wonderful job at completing his journey. Usually, I don't care for endings that leave me with uncertainties. However, I have to say I found this one to be very enticing. I believe that Milkman and Guitar fell to their death. I believe this was the only way for Milkman's journey to fully come to an end. I can't say I was surprised to find that Pilate had been carrying around her father all this time,leave it to her. I could really relate to Hagar's character. It's so difficult, especially as a teenage girl, to overcome the materialism of the world. Poor Hagar, let it get the best of her and her death was tragic. I can't say that i caught the Circe reference but I can say that I didn't understand if she was a human, ghost, or a figment of Milkman's imagination. Hopefully someone else has some insight on that because I'm a bit confused. Overall, i loved this book. Which is surprising because I didn't think I would enjoy it at all. That saying you can't judge a book by it's cover definitely applies here.
Comment Posted on July 24, 2011 at 11:35 PM by
Victoria S,The last few chapters of the novel were my favorite! Morrison really made a full circle with Milkman’s (MM) quest by letting me feel satisfied with all of the new information he found. I want to first address Circe. I know she is somehow a parallel to the Odyssey, but I am having some trouble understanding. Can someone help me with that? I do realize that she is almost a supernatural character because she is so old that it cannot possibly be realistic. I could see the changes happening in MM when he decided to go to Virginia because he had no knowledge of the gold being there; his lineage is what drew him there but he was not pure enough yet to admit it. He did finally come to his senses resting in the woods on his hunt because he addressed his mistakes he had been making since his childhood. Guitar trying to kill him surprised me a little. I think what also helped him change fully into a new man was that he was around people that did not like him and did not know that he came from a wealthy family so it was a wakeup call. MM also learned to accept his culture because the most important information he found was from the song the children were singing. Slaves were not allowed to write so they passed down stories through songs and this was the one way MM learned fully the history of Solomon, Jake and Sing. Pilate’s death was sad but she was my favorite character because she, in a way, flew without ever leaving the ground. She lives a free life without rules, or worries and she lives to her own standards, accepting her mistakes; this to me is flying. Finally, the bird allows her name, and soul, to fly. This was a PERFECT ending for Pilate. Much love to Morrison for that. The green sack really held Jake’s bones, MM grandfather. I think MM fully completed his journey because he was in touch with his history, soul and culture at the end of the quest. I would like to think Guitar dies in the end because he is worthy of it; he needs a taste of his own medicine. To me it does not matter who comes out of the quarrel alive because MM was satisfied with his life.
Comment Posted on July 24, 2011 at 11:32 PM by
Kate LI was very interested to read about how the title played into the story. Milkman did a wonderful job at completing his journey.Usually,I don't care for endings that leave me with uncertainties. However, I have to say I found this one to be very enticing.I believe that Milkman and Guitar fell to their death.I believe this was the only way for Milkman's journey to be ultimately completed. I can't say I was surprised to find that Pilate had been carrying around her father all this time,leave it to her. I could really relate to Hagar's character.It's so difficult, especially as a teenage girl, to not get caught up in the materialism of the world.Poor Hagar, it ultimately ended up being the death of her.I can't say that I caught the Circe reference but I can say that I didn't understand if she was a human or a ghost or a figment of Milkman's imagination, that was all a little over my head.Hopefully someone else has some insight on that because I'm a bit confused.Overall, I loved this book and I didn't even think I would enjoy it at all.I guess the saying you can't judge a book by it's cover really applies here.
Comment Posted on July 24, 2011 at 11:24 PM by
VictoriaIn the last section of the book, I have to say that Milkman changes greatly. For instance, in chapter ten, milkman is driven by the fact that the gold may still be in “Hunters Cave.” He left Butler’s Mansion in his nice suit and shoes just in search of the gold. In the first sections of the book, I could not help but get the feeling that Milkman did not want to be like his father, or follow in his footsteps. Now, he has the same desires in life as his father, and has even set out on a mission to find gold that his father basically planted in his head. Something else that shocked me was when Guitar attempted to kill Milkman in chapter eleven. I did not think that Guitar would try and kill him, much less before he found the so called “treasure.” However, I found Guitar to have some integrity in the situation for leaving Milkman the warning. Guitar says after all, “it was the least I could do for a friend.” One thing I found interesting was before Hagar died, she was wearing a white dress. However, the white dress was soiled in the thunderstorm she encountered. White is a symbol for purity and innocence. Hagar was madly in love with Milkman, and it was a pure love. She truly loved him. Just as her love for Milkman was soiled, so was the dress she purchased, and so was her life. As for chapter fifteen, WOW. Enough said.
Comment Posted on July 24, 2011 at 10:55 PM by
Lane L.What’s in that green sack Pilate lugs around? Inside of that sack is her father’s bones not the white man’s bones and not the gold, but her father’s bones which is, in a way, a type of gold for Pilate and Macon Dead. (OOOOH, ALEYA!) Milkman’s gold is finding his family although he does not realize this until he becomes enraptured with the power of knowing his people and the richness of it. Milkman quests for many things including the ability to fly and, later on, gold and his people. Morrison resolves the novel by having Milkman find a different sort of gold, his people, and realize that there is a different type of flight than just being literally airborne. Morrison admits to this by simply stating in Milkman’s point of view that “without ever leaving the ground, she could fly.” (336) I think in the end that Guitar takes Milkman’s life along with Pilate’s and that the flight that Milkman takes is again a different variation of flight; a flight into the spiritual world. Or it could be that Milkman slips out of being Macon Dead III into being Milkman by leaving behind the problems he had with himself and identifying himself through his complications with Guitar and what he was fighting was the older version of himself, the Milkman 1.0, the Macon Dead III, balled up into Guitar’s lunging body. Milkman is surrendering to Guitar because “if you surrender to the air, you could ride it.” (337) There is so much theme about identity through one’s name and identity in general. I felt like Hagar died because having sex with Milkman did not make her give him her heart; it made her give him her identity,(ALEYA! YOU ARE ON FIRE HERE WITH YOUR INTERPRETATIONS!) but he did not want it. Without her identity which she placed inside Milkman, she is no one at all and that is really what she sees in Pilate and Reba’s eyes through the wet, destroyed clothes and make-up. It is what Milkman quests for, and what Ruth longs for. Identity. Guitar partly joins the Seven Days to find his identity, but also because it puts him back in his element, hunting. He claims to be doing this for love, but in fact he is a predator and though he gives up his life in the wild, he still has stalking prey lingering in his heart. It is all about identity which hangs in a little brass box from Pilate’s ear and sleeps frozen in that green sack and wears down in that forest that night against that tree with Milkman’s fear of Guitar. It bleeds out of Pilate’s neck from Guitar’s sharp bullet. If there is anything I have noticed in this novel, it is identity.(WOW.)
Comment Posted on July 24, 2011 at 10:31 PM by
Aleya WAlthough Morrison leaves the reader with a cliff hanger, most of the conflict in the novel are resolved. The reader is able to understand that Milkman has completed his transformation when Morrison states that Milkman has taken his first step without a limp. Milkman transformed from a selfish, dependent, ignorant boy into caring, independent, more knowledgeable man. His journey to discover his family's history is complete. He is finally aware and comfortable in who he has become. During Milkman's journey to find the Pilate's gold, which later turned into his journey to discovery his ancestry, he uncovered that it is not the white man's bones they killed in the cave, but instead Macon Dead I's bones that is actually in the green tarp. I visualized Circe as a guardian angel. She was like the key that unlocked Milkman's past opening his eyes to understand. Even though I recognized the name from freshman year when we learned about mythology, I am not exactly sure of her mythical role, or the connection to the story. As for the ending, I picture many different solutions. I feel that Milkman will leap for Guitar and kill him out of anger. I don't believe that Morrison would kill off Milkman because he has to carry on the family history to his descendants, and fulfill his duty to Hagar's death. On the contrary, I feel that Guitar could kill Milkman. Milkman has completed his journey. He has discovered his family's history, and though he maybe dead literally, his name will live on. His story will be continued on to future generations. Overall, Morrison does a great job of expressing African American culture. Back in the day, Blacks were not able to read or write, so they pass messages through songs. The most famous slave song I know "Wade in the Water" lured slaved to the water where the would be led to freedom. In this case the Song of Solomon was Milkman's message of freedom. Freedom of selfishness, dependence, and his ignorance of his ancestors.
Comment Posted on July 24, 2011 at 10:10 PM by
Taylor cThe last five chapters of Song of Solomon are almost overly symbolic. There is so much to analyze. I do admire the adventurous aspect most about Morrison’s writings. I appreciate her symbolism. In chapter 10, I caught the allusion to the Myth of Circe in the name, but I do not understand how the mythological character relates to the Song of Solomon character. In the myth of Circe she lures men into her island and turns them into animals. In the novel Circe waits for her master’s remains to rot. In chapter 11 Milkman almost dies, which is ironic because he is already “Dead”. This event mortifies Milkman in a way. He is no longer only dead—he is the living Milkman Dead. It is also ironic that Hagar dies from her insecurities while her mother, Reba, and her grandmother, Pilate, live and thrive on their independence and individuality. Hagar is the dying reason for their way of life. Pilate has been keeping the bones of her own father in a green sack instead of Solomon’s. I am still confused as to who Macon Jr. killed in the cave. I believe, in the end Milkman flies off the cliff like his grandfather and starts his own individual life apart from being a Dead.
Comment Posted on July 24, 2011 at 09:09 PM by
Zoe FThe ending was definitely not what I expected. I feel like to Milkman accomplished what he needed to accomplish, but not necessarily what he wanted to accomplish. Towards the end, his family history became more important than the gold, but I still feel like he did not completely change into a selfless, humble person. I think he did complete his hero’s journey fairly well, but I wish that Hagar could have lived to see him come home as a somewhat changed person. It fits the story well though for him to have to live with the guilt of her death on his shoulders. I feel that it will be crucial to his focus in life. In the green sack was Pilate and Macon’s dad’s bones. Again, I wish the story would have ended with Pilate thinking it was the old white man’s bones, just because it fit the story better. However, the thought of Pilate finally laying her father, and the bad memories she has of his death, to rest is very touching. I think that she was finally able to die after she set everything right with her life. I think it was important for her to guide Milkman, almost like a guardian angel, and when she was done, she was ready to move on. In the end, I believe that Milkman learned to accept himself, defects and all, and stop comparing himself to his father. I do wonder, though, what path he will take in life. I know that he is not happy in Michigan working for his father, so I hope he goes back to Shalimar and marries Sweet. I feel like that is the only place where he truly feels like he fits in and belongs. All in all, I like the book, even though I don’t really feel that I can relate to it. I really loved the allusions and the smooth way Morrison writes. Some of her similes and metaphors were so simple, but so powerful, that I learned a lot about writing.
Comment Posted on July 24, 2011 at 07:19 PM by
Sarah S. Overall I am quite satisfied with the ending of the novel. The only incident that I would like to change is Hagar’s death. It would have been better if Milkman were able to go back to Michigan and apologize for the pain he caused her. That way she can finally be able to move on in life. Actually I though her and Guitar would work better together in the first place. Morrison did an excellent job with making the bones of the old man really the remains of her father. It really tied in how he told her to go back to the cave. Also the way that Milkman was given the answer through watching children having a childhood that he never had. Milkman has changed completely as a person. He now understands that he cannot share in only the happiness of people but he must also share their sorrow. Before everything was about him, now he understands how every thing he does affects others in some way. Milkman being able to find out about his roots, he was able to understand his place in life. He can now have a certain respect for his family rather than think of them as a nuisance. When I first read the name Circe, I immediately thought of the Greek goddess Circe. Morrison was very clever with tying in the dogs that surrounded her, like the goddess Circe who turned her enemies into animals. The way that Circe’s voice was youthful to show her immortality. In the end, I want Milkman to fly. I want him to fly straight to Guitar, pick him up and once he gets high enough drop him. That way Milkman’s wish can finally come true and Guitar can get what he deserves. Now that I think about it, it would be better if Milkman just flies away and leaves Guitar to live with the guilt of killing Pilate. I wonder what the other six days would have to say about Guitar trying to kill someone of his own race and accidentally succeeding to take one’s life. I wonder how the race ratio would be made equal in that scenario.
Comment Posted on July 24, 2011 at 07:11 PM by
Kali B.King Solomon was known for his wisdom and fairness as a king. He also was believed to have a flying carpet to transport many people on at one time. Milkman’s great-grandfather has a highly symbolic name because by giving him the name Solomon, he is enabled flight to escape the harshness of being a slave. Circe is also symbolic because in Homer’s The Odyssey, Circe helps Odysseus by giving him directions to Ithaca and she allows him to stay on her island for a year. While Circe in Morrison’s novel does not have the Pilate and Macon Jr. reside in the home of her masters for a year, she does help them in their times of need. Circe is also the name of the Greek goddess of magic. Circe in Song of Solomon seems magical because she appears to Milkman even after she is dead and gives him directions to where he is looking for. I believe what is in the green sack is Macon Dead’s remains because there is no way for the bones of the man Pilate and Macon Jr. killed can stay in the cave that long because there are animals in the forest that enjoy treats like that. At the end, after the remains are buried and Pilate is shot, the birds are symbolic. I think they symbolize Pilate’s spiritual body rising up from her physical body and meeting her deceased father that is her guardian angel after he dies. I do not believe Milkman learned to fly in the novel, and I think his great-grandfather’s “flight” was only an escape and the flight was his freedom granted because he was strong enough to get away. Milkman does complete his journey. It is completed before he leaves the forest after Guitar attempt to murder him. The length of Milkman’s leg and his limp are the symbols letting the reader know it is complete. After losing the limp completely, Milkman realizes he is finally his own man.
Comment Posted on July 24, 2011 at 07:00 PM by
Trevor B.I love the ending of this book. Milkman has finally come full circle with himself and now we are left wondering if he lives or dies. He evolved so much in these last chapters that I felt like I was watching him grow up all over again. His journey helped him find his family and the history behind it. While finding his family Milkman also found himself. I think one sign that Milkman has changed is that he has a healthy relationship with a women who he isn't selfish with. Hagar's death to me was very depressing. I felt like she was so heart broken by the fact that no amount of change could ever make Milkman love her that she just gave up on life. Guitar and Milkman's relationship in this part of the book reminds me of an intensified version of Macon and Pilate's relationship. I did not expect Guitar to try and kill Milkman when he thought he had been betrayed but after it happened I realized that it was foreshadowed earlier in the book. I was glad when I found out that Pilate had been carrying around her father's remains because she had loved him so much. I thought that this book was amazing and enjoyed reading it.
Comment Posted on July 24, 2011 at 06:56 PM by
Katie MChapter ten started the exactly the way I wanted it to. Milkman finally realizes what he wants in life. Milkman says, “I want to live my own life. I don’t want to be my old man’s office boy no more. And as long as I’m in this place I will be. Unless I have my own money. I have to get out of that house and I don’t want to owe anybody when I go. My family’s driving me crazy.” These words reveal Milkman’s strong compassion to find himself and his family history. “The airplane ride exhilarated him, encouraged illusion and a feeling of invulnerability.” On the other hand, I feel that Milkman’s greedy journey for the gold becomes a meaningful quest for self-understanding. I have to say that Reverend Cooper is a nice guy who helps Milkman very much. I like his personality and he gives a good vibe to the reader. It is official that inside the green sack are Macon Dead’s remains, Pilate and Macon Jr.’s father. On page 246 Morrison writes, “Here in this dim room he sat with the woman who had helped deliver his father and Pilate; who had risked her job, her life, maybe, to hide them both after their father was killed, emptied their slop jars, brought them food at night and pans of water to wash. Had even sneaked off to the village to have the girl Pilate’s name and snuffbox made into an earring.” These actions are a lot like Pilate. I feel that Circe and Pilate resemble each other in many ways. Circe acts out her mythical role and helps Milkman reconnect with his past. In chapter eleven, I figure that Milkman finally grows into an “adult” and actually feels welcome in a community. He now understands racism and not the fake feelings. Milkman can understand and truly express himself. I felt complete when Milkman finally finds out his family history. I have to say I am pretty satisfied with the way the novel ended. It truly shows the full circle of Milkman’s quest. I feel that Milkman fully discovers himself. Understanding his family history leads him to complete his rebirth. Singing Solomon’s songs and playing games in the community lets Milkman experience a childhood he never had. Speaking of rebirth, I think that swimming with Sweet was his “baptism.” On page 337, the quote “For now he knew what Shalimar knew: If you surrender to the air, you could ride it” is very significant. These final words makes it known that Milkman really trusts the power of flight. To me, flying is the ability of a human overcoming the obstacles in life. Milkman surely overcomes his obstacles and the troubles of the past. It kind of makes me itchy how Morrison ended the novel without letting us know whether Milkman is killed. On page 264 Milkman “watched the children. He’d never played like that as a child. As soon as he got up off his knees at the window sill, grieving because he could not fly, and went off to school, his velvet suit separated him from the other children.” When he began his quest he was too immature about life and could not fly. But, as I think about it now, it really does not matter whether he lives or not because Milkman discovers is identity; he will live on after his death.
Comment Posted on July 24, 2011 at 05:51 PM by
Abby D. I am trying to think of this reference to Circe you are talking about but it's not clicking! Ahh! Someone will say it and I am going to beat myself up for not remembering or noticing. Now for the green sack, it was really the bones of Jake, Macon and Pilate's daddy. Pilate said she carried the bones around because she felt responsible for the death of the white man. Since they were her daddy's her belief of carrying the burden still works. She felt like she had to be strong once her daddy died. She always heard him speaking to her and she followed him. In a way, that was a burden too for never being allowed to forget. In the end, I'd like to believe that Milkman survives, but I think Guitar ends up killing him. Milkman came full circle, grew up, and finally was able to "fly." I think if he lived, it wouldn't allow him to be fully free as a bird. Dying would mean he would ascend, float or fly if you will, into heaven. Just like Solomon, his great granddaddy, Milkman leaves the filthy world with his new found freedom. Milkman's death is the only thing that could allow him to come full circle. Milkman's journey is completed perfectly. For one, he grows not only in his physical imperfections, his limp (which I almost had a heart attack about when I saw that he lost his limp!), but in her character as a man. He finds out who he is, a rotten man who has treated all woman around him poorly and has become like his cruel father, and he also discovers his roots and family history. All of these findings lead him to a rebirth. When he goes into the "ocean" with Sweet, he comes out a completely different person. Milkman finally discovers who he really is through tough realizations and opening his eyes. Just as his leg grew and he lost his limp, Milkman has grown as a man and lost the weights that held him down all his life.
Comment Posted on July 24, 2011 at 05:09 PM by
Audrey A.After reading the last chapters of this novel, I must say that I really disliked the ending. Although it did answer many questions, it was also very shocking. Milkman and Pilate are at the top of Solomon’s Leap to bury Milkman’s grandfather when Guitar shoots Pilate in the back of the head. Afterwards, Milkman “leaps” to what I believe is his own death and surrenders to the air. This follows the continual theme of flight (literally flying and also leaving), not to mention the irony in “Solomon’s” descendant leaping from this place. It was also ironic how Guitar was the one who said, “What good is a man’s life if he can’t even choose what to die for?” (Morrison 223), and Milkman obviously took that to heart in the end. I think Milkman completes his hero journey surprisingly. All his life he lived for material items and thought of only himself. Then, he dies for the man he has become and the family he grew to know and love. To me, this shows the amplitude of change that has taken place in Milkman throughout the novel and certainly for the better. He undoubtedly chose what he would die for. Along the way though, we discover that the bones in the green sack actually belong to Pilate and Macon’s father. When her father told Pilate that she “couldn’t just fly off and leave a body” he was talking about himself. I’m glad that Milkman was somewhat able to mend his relationship with Pilate and grow to appreciate the other woman in his family. He learns to escape his greed and find what was meaningful to his life—the people in it. I found it fun to read these last few chapters where the story began to “unravel.” Piece by piece, everything started to make sense and fit together like a puzzle. I never thought I’d say this, but I have grown to like this book!
Comment Posted on July 24, 2011 at 04:31 PM by
Sarah E.When Milkman decides to go on a hunt for gold and tells Guitar that he is going alone but will split any treasure he finds he will split half with him, this is suspicious. My favorite part was when Milkman talks to the Reverend and they have a chat about Macon Dead I. He also learns that the Butlers, the white family that employed Circe, were the ones who murdered Macon Dead I. He also meets Circe, who is disappointed to be hugging the wrong Macon Dead. I think that Milkman and Circe both have a part of them who is completely fond of each other. I don't understand why she lives in that old rotten house. I understand why she would want to stay but I think that her reasoning is not so developed. I don't think Milkman can decide whether or not Circe is a ghost or a human being. I think that his quest changed when he did not find his gold. All he found was himself. He is starting to grow into a selfless person. I started to think of where I might have remembered this from. Milkman's quest to come home is much like Odysseus from Homer's The Odyssey. Toni Morrison surely reminded me of this. Odysseus had many obstacles along the way home, but he found that his “home” was not the home he thought it would be. I like how Milkman showed hostility to the guy in Solomon's General Store. What do you think about this altercation? I think for the first time in a long time that Milkman is forced to do a self evaluation. He is actually maturing. I think it is hysterical that Milkman can't do one selfless act without being accused of treachery. I think that Milkman is wrong for being with Sweet. He had someone to love him. This disappointed me. I think the song about his grandfather, Jake, and his great grandfather Solomon surprised him. Why do you think Susan did not tell him everything she knew of his family history? How do you think Milkman feels about his friendship with Guitar? How do you think he feels about Hagar's death?
Comment Posted on July 24, 2011 at 04:28 PM by
Ashley HMilkman announces that his journey is to seek the gold that was left in the cave that his father and Pilate slept in. However, this stated reason does not compete evenly with his desire to find out more about his family history. With that being said, I believe that Milkman completed hish hero's journey thoroughly. He learned everything to know about his family's history. The information about the green sack took me by a complete surprise. I did not even suspect it to be Pilate's father's bones. What does not make sense to me is that Macon Dead Jr. supposedly killed a white man in that cave. Was this a true action? The end of the novel could not have been more interesting. It took the novel full circle with the thought of flying. In the opening chapter, Mr. Smith attempts to fly but fails. In the concluding chapters, Milkman speaks that "if you surrendered to the air, you could ride it." I thought that was a great way to end the novel. Overall, the book was really good. I learned some pretty neat things and I am looking forward to talking about this book in person!
Comment Posted on July 24, 2011 at 01:30 PM by
Matthew B.Part II of Song of Solomon was definitely the “denouement” of the plot. Milkman completes his hero’s journey, and I believe he accomplishes this very well. There is a part in the story where he is figuratively baptized, meaning he becomes almost an entirely different person. When he is crossing the river to get to the cave, he ends up completely submerging himself, although on accident, and after this, his character starts changing almost immediately. He does still go to the cave in search of the gold, but when he does not find it, he does not seem as discouraged as I thought he would. He still claims searching for the gold is his quest as he continues to trek his way through Virginia, but instead he realizes his unspoken quest: finding out about not only about himself, but the story behind his family. This becomes a life changing time for Milkman, causing him to go home excited to tell his family about their ancestors (even though he was coming home empty handed). When Milkman and Guitar believed there was to be gold in Pilate’s green sack but find out that it is nothing other than a human skeleton, they are highly disappointed. It is not until Milkman is on his continued quest for gold that he finds out that it is his grandfather’s bones in that sack. I had a feeling that it was not the white man’s bones in the first place, but I could not pinpoint who’s bones they actually were. I particularly do not like when authors leave you guessing at the end of a book, but I do agree that it sets this work apart from many others. I think that in the end, Milkman ends up dying rather than Guitar. His name “Macon Dead” might play a big role in that decision, but I also think that is the only way for Milkman to really come to peace with himself. He wants to believe that his spirit can soar like some of his relatives did, both figuratively and literally. From the time Milkman was growing in his mother’s womb, he was fighting for his life, whether it was fighting off Hagar or Guitar. In the last couple of pages of the novel, he finally decides that it does not matter whether he lives or dies. He realizes that there is more to life than living, and he can come to peace at last.
Comment Posted on July 24, 2011 at 01:24 PM by
Rachel H.The green sack is really filled with the remains of Pilate’s and Macon’s father. I thought Morrison was trying to show that family never leaves the side of other family members when they die; instead, they hover over their heads looking over what they do, continuously watching them. It could also represent the idea that a person will always carry something of their dead relatives, be it a certain attitude, a special phenotype, or, in this case, the actual remains of the body. From the last line of the novel, Milkman probably died after jumping off the cliff. It is highly improbable that a person can survive a jump off of a mountain. But, being literature, it could have been possible for Milkman to grow the wings his ancestors had and fly to his homeland, or wherever he decided to go. Milkman has gone through a dramatic change. He went from being in a limbo, not knowing who he was or where he belonged, to a compassionate and self-knowing person. He learned of his past family and learned that he came from a person who could fly, something he wanted to do all his life. This outcome was very predictable, but still a good outcome none the less.
Comment Posted on July 23, 2011 at 08:24 PM by
Trevor A. I must say that I am truly impressed at your deep thinking. There won't be any Titanics sinking in this class! (Do you remember that from last year?) It seems to me that you have truly grown and are taking your summer assignment seriously. I am extremely impressed with your Song of Solomon blog entries. I told my AP III students to read your blog entries so they will see where they are headed by the end of the year. Keep up the great work!
Comment Posted on July 22, 2011 at 08:52 AM by
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