Song Of Solomon Guitar Analysis

A Study on Instruments: Guitar

Guitar Bains, who serves as Milkman’s foil and closest friend throughout Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon, is, as evidenced by his name, instrumental in guiding Milkman to discover his true identity. Guitar is crucial to Milkman’s growth and eventual psychological freedom. However, although he advises Milkman on how to best live, Guitar cannot seem to control his own life as it spirals towards senseless destruction. Guitar is simply an instrument through which Morrison allows Milkman to grow. After Guitar has served his purpose, she allows him to self destruct. As Guitar’s life decomposes, and his intentions become less clear, Milkman finds his own freedom and purpose. Guitar begins the novel with a clear purpose,

Guitar’s first attempt on Milkman’s life leads Milkman to become more “whole” than he once was, indicating his development as a character. After Milkman returns from the hunting trip during which Guitar attacked him, Milkman notes “...he found himself exhilarated by simply walking on the earth...he belonged on it...he did not limp.” (281) For the first time in the novel, we see Milkman walk steadily with even legs, which symbolizes his growth into a more “whole” man. His near-death experience at Guitar’s hands has allowed him to re-evaluate his life, and, in doing so, piece together his previously fragmented identity. Later, it is when Guitar, on his bloodthirsty quest to take Milkman’s life, shoots at and misses Milkman, who is in Virginia on his own quest to reckon with his family’s past and give himself a more “whole” identity, that Guitar makes one of his most disastrous decisions and Milkman truly finds his freedom. Each man is on the brink of fully defining who they are. As soon as Guitar fires his gun at Milkman, they are each defined. Guitar misses Milkman and kills Pilate, who had been one of few living connections Milkman had to his past. Guitar is introduced as “the boy who not only could liberate [Milkman], but could take him to [Pilate], who had as much to do with [Milkman’s] future as she had his past.” (36) It is