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Similarities Between A Raisin In The Sun And Song Of Solomon

848 Words4 Pages

Alberto Cardenas
Mr.Jay
Honors American Literature
16 May 2023
Essay
Individuals frequently find themselves questioning conventional conventions and looking for release from societal restraints to uncover their true identities in a quickly changing world full of uncertainties. The quest for reform and self-discovery are themes that resound strongly in Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon and Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun. Both A Raisin in the Sun and Song of Solomon explore the life of Milkman Dead as he sets out on a search for personal independence, but Song of Solomon focuses on Walter Younger's battle to escape the restrictions of a prejudiced society. Both writings provide distinct viewpoints on postmodernist concepts including …show more content…

In Song of Solomon, Morrison explores the African American experience and the legacy of slavery, challenging the conventional narratives and stereotypes imposed on black individuals. Milkman confronts the oppressive traditions within his own family and community. Milkman states: "You can't own a human being... But you can possess someone... You can't hold a person the way you hold a book" (Morrison 24). Milkman rejects the oppressive traditions that dehumanize individuals and reduce them to mere possessions. It emphasizes his defiance of societal expectations and his search for personal liberation. Toni Morrison employs magical realism and symbolism to convey the unpredictable nature of life and the elusive quest for self-discovery. The motif of flight throughout the novel symbolizes liberation and the pursuit of personal freedom. Milkman reflects on the uncertainty of the future, stating, "You got to go there to know there. Just like with me and Pilate. You can't own it unless you've been there" (Morrison 332). Milman describes the uncertainty of the future and the necessity of taking risks and venturing into the unknown as the key to truly understanding oneself. It underscores Milkman's journey toward self-realization and the transformative power of embracing …show more content…

These ideas are embodied by Milkman Dead and Walter Younger, who are both looking for personal development, freedom, and the accomplishment of their goals. While the books take various approaches to these issues, Song of Solomon questions social conventions and explores the African American experience, while A Raisin in the Sun criticizes institutionalized racism and societal restrictions. Morrison and Hansberry inspire readers to critically evaluate social standards, accept change as a catalyst for personal development, and face an uncertain future with perseverance and resolve through their compelling storytelling and thought-provoking statements. Ultimately, these works offer unique perspectives on postmodern ideas, leaving a lasting impact on readers' understanding of societal dynamics and the human

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Throughout Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon, Milkman Dead’s name serves as a constant reminder of his unhealthy relationship with his mother, Ruth Dead, which in itself is a reflection of her deep-rooted issues with her own personal life that are out of Milkman’s control. The significance of Milkman’s name has multiple layers to it. For example, it is important to recall that his real name is Macon because he makes a significant effort to distance himself from Macon Jr. and prove himself to be different from him. Ruth’s breastfeeding him well past his infancy results in his being stuck with the nickname “Milkman” before he is even old enough to understand the situation.

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Furthermore, Ruth’s endless, captivating love restricts Milkman and thwarts his personality’s development to a mature man. His search for his self cannot be satisfied at home since he has no space to become independent or is regarded as a separate

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The passage reveals Guitar’s explanation to Milkman for joining the Seven Days society when Milkman confronts him on his furtive behavior. The setting of the conversation is at Mary’s bar, where they begin discussing Hagar’s attempted murder but Milkman feels uncomfortable when Guitar questions why Hagar would exhibit such extreme behavior; thus, he turns it around and questions Guitar. Morrison characterizes and illustrates the contrast between Guitar and Milkman in this section through repetition and an accusatory tone. By repeating words and phrases multiple times, Morrison stresses her about the two sides of black activists. Milkman preferred nonviolence and came from a privileged background whereas Guitar preferred violence and came from a poor family; this foil creates highlights the characters’ differences and clashing beliefs towards

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A Line Between Love and Hate In Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, the character Walter Lee Younger, displays the demeanor of a character in Zora Neale Hurston’s novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. In Hurston’s book, Janie’s grandmother, Nanny, was a woman with a very stubborn mindset on life, very similar to Walter Lee who presumably had life all figured out. They were portrayed as the antagonist in the novels but were just characters that meant well and had good intentions. Walter Lee Younger and Nanny are portrayed as selfish and emotionless characters by few critics but digging deeper into their situations and their decision making, they just wanted better for their loved ones and they both wanted one thing, a better life, whether it benefited themselves or the special people in their lives.

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Pilate’s continual singing helps to foster Milkman’s growth in discovering his ancestry as well as learn about his mistreatment of people, especially women. The Sugarman song that Pilate frequently sang appears again to reveal Milkman’s ancestry to him. As the children sang a slightly different version of the song, “singing ‘Solomon don’t leave me’ instead of ‘Sugarman,’” Milkman began to piece together how the song was dealing directly with his ancestors.

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The play A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry debuted on Broadway in 1959, and the movie was made in 2008. “A Raisin in the Sun” is about the Younger family, the fifth generation of lower-class African-Americans living in Chicago’s Southside. They are faced with problems such as racial discrimination, poverty, and conflicting dreams. As the family decides on how to spend the insurance check of $10,000 from Walter’s father’s death, these problems cause many conflicts to rise. Reading the 1959 play and the 2008 movie, I have realized certain similarities and differences in how the story plays out.

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In the Toni Morrison’s critically-claimed novel, Song of Solomon, the protagonist, Milkman, goes on a journey to uncover his “people.” Macon, Milkman, Dead III has no identity, ambition, or passion for he is lost and has no idea who he is or what he wants. As Milkman discovers his family’s mysterious and largely unknown past, Milkman discovers something much more: himself. Only through his investigation into his father’s family does Milkman finally find his lost identity.

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In Song of Solomon, written by Toni Morrison, deep concern for not only the existence and development of the black community is shown, but also for human beings in general. Questions such as “Why and how are individuals isolated from society?” , “What voice is created in isolation?”, and even “How does an individual resolve conflict between personal ethics and social morality?” strictly apply to Song of Solomon. Milkman, the protagonist, embarks on an unwitting search for his roots and ties to the black community, all while feeling isolated from society.

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Milkman also is motivated to change after Magdalene’s says “you have pissed your last in this house” and he states that “it was good advice…why not take it” (354). While Milkman does not completely transform after this exchange he still grows to become a better person in time and no longer exploits the labor of his

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Toni Morrison’s novel Song of Solomon is an examination on the importance of self-identity in African-American society and the effects of a name. Names and labels are used to describe and symbolize people, places, and things, serving as a brief definition of the subject. Toni Morrison uses this definition in order to analyze the effects redefining or naming had on African Americans heritage and culture after their emancipation. Throughout the story, the central protagonist Macon Dead III or Milkman, searches his family’s history to reclaim his past and recreate himself. America’s history of slavery and it’s lasting effects have allowed African-American society and cultural identity to be dictated by the white majority.

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Economic privileges generally blind people to the unfavorable social conditions of their community, as wealth is commonly used as a method of physical escape. As a result, many of those belonging to this socio economic strata continue to live under the illusions of an idealistic identity, as they fear to uncover a past that may disrupt their supposed utopian lifestyle. The rare amount of people who defy and challenge the blindness evoked by economic privileges are usually awarded with a mental awakening in which they will uncover a social purpose beyond the pursuit of materialistic wealth. In the Song of Solomon, Toni Morrison explores the social transition of Milkman, a privileged individual, through the use of a spiritual awakening. Due to

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The thought of a milkman usually creates the image of a man that delivers milk to everybody. Everybody knows him, but nobody really talks to him. In the book Milkman is quite the opposite due to milkman having to hear and keep all this information that is being given out by everyone he knows. Creating this irony that surrounds his name. He doesn’t necessarily care and wants to stay out of the trouble.

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Throughout literature, most novels incorporate an adventure and an exploration theme about the hero journeying to find their path. In the novel Song of Solomon, by Toni Morrison, it begins depicting Milkman as a feeble dependent character that relies on his friends and family for all of his needs. However, as the novel progresses the view of Milkman develops into an independent figure through a journey. Milkman’s personality and mindset shift as the purpose of the journey diverts away from gold and greed. He comes to realize what’s important in the world and begins exploring what really matters; his race, family’s homes, and identity in the world.

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In this scene Sethe reclaims the nourishment she was and human generosity she was denied as a slave and reclaims her identity as mother while preparing milk for the two young women she wishes to care for. The symbol of milk is prominent throughout Morrison 's novel. The milk 's symbolism allows insight into the overall themes Morrison is trying to project. Whether it be through its symbolism of motherhood, shame, or nourishment, milk throughout the narrative reveals the ways in which African Americans were stripped of their personal identities as well as their identity as

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Milkman goes through many emotions while growing up. These emotions are mostly influenced by his experiences with gender and class. The book starts with the Dead family staring at Mr. Smith about to commit suicide on top of Mercy Hospital. He thinks he can fly all the way across the lake, but splats on the ground instead.

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