Pilate’s motif of being supernatural contributes to her role as a mentor to Milkman’s development by being more knowledgeable than most, therefore helping him mature into a man. Pilate is a mentor to Milkman. “[…] and more important, he would have learned not to fool with anything that belonged to Pilate, who never bothered anybody, was helpful to everybody, but who also was believed to have the power to step out of her skin, set a bush afire from fifty yards, and turn a man into a ripe rutabaga, all on account of that fact that she had no navel (94).” This quote shows how Pilate’s ability to mentor Milkman comes from her supernatural powers stemming from the fact that she does not have a belly button. The quote characterizes Pilate as kind and helpful, qualities that help Milkman become more thoughtful of his relationships with others.
In the novel, “Song of Solomon”, one of the older sisters of the main character is named First Corinthians. She got her name by her father pointing at a random word in the bible. First Corinthians in the bible is a letter from Paul explaining the resurrection of Jesus to the people. Her full name is actually quite ironic in this instance as her last name is Dead but the actual biblical First Corinthians is about the resurrection or coming back to life of Jesus Christ. The religious implications of her name, however, don’t seem to have any effect on her character.
The Monroe Doctrine was a threat to European nations for multiple reasons. To begin with, the Monroe Doctrine was a document that was written by John Quincy Adams. The states that were affected by the Monroe Doctrine are the European countries and the independent, smaller countries such as Mexico. The main thesis of the Monroe Doctrine is that America has forbidden Europe from invading other individual countries. The doctrine is a threat because it states that foreign countries are forbidden to enter and colonize land in the western hemisphere.
The Martyrdom of St. Perpetua and Felicity, which is a story about Perpetua’s trial due to her beliefs in Christianity, was written in the year 203 by three different authors, Perpetua, Satururs, and an unknown narrator. Perpetua wrote her part of the story while she was in prison, perhaps to give others the strength to stand up for what they believe in. Perpetua lived in Carthage under the Roman Empire, where the paterfamilias meant everything. The paterfamilias is the father of the household; they have the ability to take away the life of their children which means they have complete control over them. However, in The Martyrdom of St. Perpetua and Felicity, Perpetua disobeys her father.
When Toni Morrison began her novel, Song of Solomon, she introduces her readers to a world in which Caucasian Americans have full power over their African American neighbors. Detailing the pessimistic treatment of African Americans, readers come to believe in the stereotypical “weak, black man,” of African Americans who allow themselves to be dominated, who see the dangers that are forced upon them and bow down to them, obliging to the torture and prejudice they face every day. This portrait of acceptance is broken, torn into a million pieces when Morrison goes in depth into the secondary character of her novel, Guitar, during the sixth chapter. In the previous 154 pages of Song of Solomon, Guitar is elucidated as simply the best friend of the main character, Milkman, as someone who is only present in the tale to listen to the problems of his friend and give knowledgeable advice. Until chapter 6, Guitar is nothing but a clear definition of “best-friend-forever,” someone who helps the main character but does nothing else, while Milkman is the reverse of him as he gets receives all of the attention of Morrison, detailing his character traits and identity.
Many of the characters in Song of Solomon are named after individuals in the bible, and Morrison does this in order to reveal a deeper understanding of the characters and their experiences in the novel. For example, the biblical Hagar is Abraham’s concubine Sarah’s handmaiden, and bearer of Abraham's first child who is later ostracized with her son and forced to leave due to Sarah’s jealousy and bitterness (“Hagar”). The Hagar in Song of Solomon has a somewhat similar experience. Her relationship with Milkman starts off strong, but the more she loves him, the more he just uses her to appease his sexual desires instead of establishing a strong, loving relationship with her. Milkman eventually grows out of his former feelings for Hagar, and then abandons her, leaving her distraught and heartbroken.
Pilate and her family did not live in the best conditions, as they lived in “A narrow single-story house… [and] had no electricity because [they] could not pay for the service. Nor the gas”, yet they were still the characters who were the most satisfied with their lives even when they had the bare minimum to survive (27). Compared to Macon Dead, Pilate was much happier with her life in her small house caring for her family than Macon was in his nice house with his family. This was evident to Milkman as he felt more comfort while in Pilate’s house than he ever did in his own house, which was more associated with materialism than Pilate’s house was. Because of the lack of materialism in Pilate’s life, it is simple to see how Pilate was able to thrive and live in
The role of music in Song of Solomon is to help us understand the two worlds Milkman is stuck between: One full of music, one devoid of it. In the end, it took Pilate dying for Milkman to make up his mind, and that’s when he sings. It took a long journey, both physical and mental, yet ultimately, Milkman ends up back where he started: with Pilate, with
Due to the fact that she was born after her mother's death, Pilate is considered an anomaly as soon as she takes her first breath. In addition, upon her birth, she is separated from others because she is born without a navel. In childhood, Pilate is unaware of her oddity and unable to fully comprehend their implications. As she grows older, however, the knowledge of her differences alienates her. At age twelve, after her father's death, Pilate, and her brother, Macon, live in exile.
According to Hochschild and Machung (2012), “Women can have fame and fortune, office affairs, silicone injections, and dazzling designer clothes, in Brown’s world. But the one thing they can’t have, apparently, is a man who shares the work at home (26).” This statement explains that even the most attractive and wealthy women are still doing the second shift. why the second shift is put on the shoulders of women in heterosexual marriages. In The Cosby Show, the role of Clair and Cliff Huxtable in their home demonstrates their statement.
As a mother, teacher, and spiritual guide, she gives Milkman the affection, comfort, and wisdom that he does not get at home. Catherine Carr Lee states that: ”Pilate begins by instructing Milkman in practical, everyday knowledge: to say what you mean...Because she values nothing but human relationships...” For instance, Milkman and Guitar attempted robbery for the “gold’ in Pilate’s house, but end up getting arrested until Pilate comes to the rescue and they realize it was just a sack of bones. She pays no mind to the fact that they stole from her and puts on an act to prevent them from going to jail. “She didn’t even look the same.
Toni Morrison’s novel Song of Solomon tells the story of Macon “Milkman” Dead, a character completely alienated from his community, his family and his heritage. The readers follow his journey, during which he attempts to find his “inheritance” of gold that his father, Macon Dead, believes was hidden by Pilate Dead. Instead, he travels to the fictional town of Shalimar where his family line began in America in order to fully understand the cultural heritage that has been left for him - in the process experiencing an understanding of the word home. Home is often represented by the motif of cherries, which different people in Milkman’s immediate family - eventually including Milkman encounter throughout the book. Even though these events are
Similarly, she makes use of biblical references and conveys her intelligence through her works. Teresa de Cartagena
In Herman Melville’s “Billy Budd,” Captain the Honorable Edward Fairfax Vere is torn between the desires of personal, moral convictions and the letter of the law. Vere’s difficulties are represented by the decision to hang Billy or forgive him. Furthermore, Melville utilizes various biblical allusions and examples from history to promote his ideology through the character of Captain Vere. Melville introduces the historical background of the story before proceeding to describe life on the Bellipotent.
For Jews, Pilate is remembered as the symbol of Roman oppression and tyranny. Pilate's fate after the death of Jesus is not well known. According to historical records, he was eventually recalled to Rome and likely faced disciplinary action for his handling of the situation in Judaea. Some Christian tradition holds that Pilate later converted to Christianity and was exiled to Gaul where he died by martyrdom. However, there's no historical evidence to support
