Song Of Solomon Justice And Injustice Essay

Injustice in Dead America

Toni Morrison’s Song Of Solomon explores the magical universe of the Dead family. A universe full of racism, inequality, economic hardship for some, beach houses in Honoré for others, and a universe where if one surrenders to the air, they can ride it. In the Song of Solomon universe, racism and inequality are a fact of life. The black community watches the effects of slavery, and sees how racism is socially and economically perpetuated. Leading to discouragement for disadvantaged, poorer African Americans and encouragement for the more esteemed, respected, and appreciated African Americans. In Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon she showcases how attitudes about justice and injustice are encouraged and

Macon, traumatized from seeing his father murdered as a young boy, becomes obsessed with wealth and does everything in his power to not only obtain wealth, but to keep wealth. Macon marries into wealth by marrying Ruth Foster, the only daughter of the only black doctor in town, giving him much influence and prestige to the surrounding residents of their 12 bedroom home. The novel states that “in 1936 there were very few among them who lived as well as Macon Dead”(32). Macon saw his father’s land taken away from him as a child so now the only thing that he can focus on is having land of his own and although filled with a life of power and wealth, Macon remains a ornery, fearful man. In his efforts to maintain his wealth Macon becomes a heartless slumlord, even putting Guitar, his siblings and his grandmother out into the streets as a child. When told that they were going to be put out, Mrs. Bains (Guitar’s grandmother) says, “A nigger in business is a terrible thing to see. A terrible, terrible thing to see” (22). Showing how capitalism and Macons obsession with wealth took away from Macon’s humanity and made him