Keyword Guide · chapter-summary
Song of Solomon follows the life of Macon 'Milkman' Dead III as he journeys from a stifling upbringing in Michigan to the rural South in search of his family's history. This guide breaks down the narrative structure and essential plot points to help you excel in your literature assignments.
The first half of the novel introduces the Dead family in an unnamed Michigan city. Milkman grows up alienated from his community and family, caught between his father's obsession with property and his aunt Pilate's spiritual, albeit impoverished, lifestyle. Key events include Milkman’s complicated friendship with Guitar Bains and the growing tension surrounding a supposed inheritance of gold hidden in a cave.
In the second half, the narrative shifts as Milkman travels to Pennsylvania and eventually Virginia. What begins as a quest for physical gold transforms into a discovery of his ancestral roots. Through oral histories and local folklore in the town of Shalimar, Milkman deciphers the 'Song of Solomon,' a children's rhyme that reveals the truth about his great-grandfather, the 'flying African.'
To succeed in class discussions, focus on the motif of flight, which represents both liberation and the abandonment of responsibility. Pay close attention to the significance of names—how they are given, taken away, and reclaimed. These elements are central to Morrison's exploration of identity and the African American experience across generations.
When reviewing these chapters for an exam, create a character map that links Milkman to his ancestors. Note the contrast between Macon Dead II’s materialism and Pilate’s connection to the past. While resources like SparkNotes or LitCharts offer basic overviews, focusing on the specific cultural references and the lyrical structure of the prose will provide a deeper level of analysis for high-level essays.
The primary conflict is Milkman’s internal struggle to find his own identity amidst the conflicting values of his father’s materialism, his aunt’s mysticism, and his friend Guitar’s radicalism.
He is nicknamed Milkman because his mother, Ruth, nursed him well beyond infancy—a secret discovered by a neighbor that reflects the stifled and unusual nature of the Dead household.
The ending, where Milkman leaps toward Guitar, symbolizes his ultimate transcendence and his acceptance of his heritage, suggesting that he has finally learned how to 'fly' in a spiritual sense.
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