Multiple Illustrations Of Ruth's Relationship With Dr. Foster

Why are the multiple recounts of Ruth’s relationship with Dr. Foster?

Roshni Babal

Prior to reading Song of Solomon, by Toni Morrison, I had established a very clear view of what was true and what was not. In my head, there was always a definitive division between the two ideas; there was either the full, unexposed truth or a dishonest representation of events. However, upon reading the novel, I was faced with multiple recounts of Ruth’s relationship with her father- Dr. Foster- leading to me wondering about whether Ruth really did have an incestuous relationship with her father. This question had many responses, based on which character was answering; yet I was still unable to find the underlying truth about what had really occurred or

Foster’s relationship through two very different direct perceptions: Macon Dead II’s and Ruth’s. After being punched by Milkman- who was trying to defend his mother- Macon Dead II attempted to explain his problem with Ruth’s father and herself, stating “ ‘ I knew then they’d ganged up on me forever- the both of them- and no matter what I did, they managed to have things their way ’ ” because of Ruth’s insistence to have her father deliver her children (71). Macon’s perception of the events are soaking with jealousy as he gives a one-sided story demonstrating his suspicions about his wife’s close relationship with her father until Dr. Foster dies and Macon Dead II sees Ruth “ ‘ In the bed...Laying next to [her father]. Naked as a yard dog, kissing him. Him dead and white and puffy and skinny, and she had his fingers in her mouth,’ ” (73). Macon Dead II paints a biased picture about Ruth’s initial jealousy and suspicion against Ruth and her father. As a result, Macon’s version of the truth shapes Milkman’s view of his own mother, as he begins to view her with disgust and contempt until he follows her to the graveyard and hears her own perception of the

And for that I would do anything,’ ”, explaining why she loved him so much (124). However, when faced with the accusations of sleeping with her father, she states, “ ‘I did kneel there [in the bed] in my slip at his bedside and kiss his beautiful fingers. They were the only part of him that wasn’t...” (126). While her statement differs from Macon Dead II’s biased interpretation, Ruth shows how she was so close to her father because of his genuine care for her life, and even though she admits going into bed with him after he was dead, she claimed that she did it out of love and respect for him rather than lust- as Macon II stated. Milkman’s perception of his mother is once again affected because of her viewpoint of her relationship with her father, ending all suspicions against