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There are many ways in which Foster’s ideas can be found in Morrison’s novel. One that stood out to me the most is the fact that every time the family would gather for dinner something unsatisfactory would always arise. Foster states that “communion doesn’t need to be holy; or even decent,” which turns out to be the case in "Song of Solomon. " Within the first chapter Macon Dead is made clear to have some sort of disgust with his wife’s cooking. No matter how hard she tries her meals always fall short of his expectations. One also learns that the table has a water mark which cannot be removed. Ironically it came to be when Ruth, Macon’s wife, has a flower arrangement there to try to make the table look nice. Now that I think about it, this water mark could symbolize the fact that no matter how the family behaves, there will always be a hidden imperfection amongst them. (OOOH< I LIKE THIS). In the following chapter, many years have passed and the family gathers round the dinner table again. At this particular dinner along with a dinner scuffle, the reader is then introduced to a quest which the protagonist, Milkman, will soon follow. Milkman’s father tells him that he believes that his mother and grandfather had a more intimate relationship than just father and daughter. This information causes Milkman to wonder if this could be true and makes him question how he received his nickname. This curiosity causes memories to come back to him about how he was nursed by his mother for longer than was seen necessary by others. His quest for finding out how he received his name will probably lead to coming to the realization of what he wants to do with his life. It is made clear within the fourth chapter that Milkman does not want to take over his father’s real-estate business, but he knows that he will probably end up doing so whether he likes it or not. Another quest might come from what Milkman discovered about Guitar. How he might be involved with hiding Empire State who may have murdered a white boy in the schoolyard. Ultimately Milkman will go out on a quest to find his true identity and the secrets of his best friend, Guitar. I really do enjoy "Song of Solomon";Morrison is phenomenal at how she ties elements together. I wonder if anyone else caught the foreshadowing that keeps happening with dead being Milkman’s last name. How Hagar receives the letter that Milkman writes her saying that she deserves better than him. Then she finds him dead in the street. It seems very clear to me that Milkman’s quest may not last very long. I also enjoy Pilate and how she had to struggle to be brought into the world. I think her not having a naval is symbolic to the fact that she was not completely part of her mother. Even through birth, she had to make it on her own. Almost as if she is her own mother, or creator. I am curious to see if Pilate and Macon ever become close again.
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