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.
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.
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
Pilate is an extremely strong figure in Milkman’s life who makes him feel like he is loved by her. The motif of flying associated with Pilate is different than other characters in the book. PIlate knows the value of the relationships she has and as a result, “without ever leaving the ground, she could fly”. This is as important contrast to Milkman’s journey of self discovery because although he matures and becomes his own independent man, he leaves the people he loves behind and doesn’t realize it until it's too late. For example Hagar would have done anything for Milkman, however he treated her very poorly.
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.
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
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.
Without familial ties and history, Milkman lacked the wisdom that comes with knowledge of the past, causing a disconnect between Milkman and his people. Milkman’s journey provides him with the answers to his identity problem allowing his family’s past to provide instruction, and protection, and a certain kind of wisdom necessary in finding his true self. Although Milkman must ultimately define himself, he is also defined by his relationships. He cannot learn these lessons in isolation but only within the context of the present community and relations of
퐓퐡퐞퐫퐞’퐬 퐍퐨 퐁퐞퐭퐭퐞퐫 퐌퐚퐧 퐭퐡퐚퐧 퐏퐢퐥퐚퐭퐞 Through comparisons between Milkman and Guitar, Toni Morrison exemplifies Milkman’s lack of maturity as he seeks for his own claim to adulthood. Additionally, Morrison comments on the superficiality of stereotypes regarding manhood through Milkman’s failures to achieve it. After discussing Hagar’s attempts to kill Milkman, “several minutes passed while Milkman played with his beer and Guitar sipped tea,” the irony revealed by their drinks, and the contrast between “played” and “sipped”, exemplifies Milkman’s failure to truly be an adult because though he attempts to fulfill the criteria of what it means to be a man, he still childishly plays with the drink, while Guitar responsibly sips his tea (153). Toni
Milkman’s acknowledgment of racism and change in attitude towards women ultimately highlights his maturity and the development of an unmaterialistic identity through his metaphorical
As he waits, Milkman beings to internal think about how his life isn’t about what he wants and dreams, but those of the people around him. From not having control of his life, he then waits “with curiosity, but without excitement or hope, for this latest claim” from his father (Morrison 165). If
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.
As always, Morrison deliberately puts this animal in the readers' path to show the weight of greed and selfishness that guides Milkman from his attraction to flight. In addition to the peacock, Morrison includes ghosts. Not including Pilate's communication with her late father, we learn about Circe. An old lady, Circe, is an enigma to Milkman as he describes her "That was as far as he got because although the woman was talking to him, she might in any case still be dead—as a matter of fact, she had to be dead. Not because of the wrinkles, and the face so old it could not be alive, but because out of the toothless mouth came the strong, mellifluent voice of a twenty year-old girl."
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
In order to do so, I will use quotations extracted from Morrison´s work and other secondary resources, and I will focus on the main characters of the novel that stand as representations of their social dimension. Toni Morrison uses the personal lives of the
