Monday, October 17, 2016
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
2nd and 3rd Period - - For Friday -- Please come with opinions and support.
Consider Names - How do names serve as a motif in Song of Solomon? What does Morrison want us to consider in these names? Biblical References? Character Traits? Stories?
Consider the various colors in Song of Solomon and how they find expression in the text as motifs or symbols.
Finally, What is Morrison trying to tell us about human relationships in this text? If there is more absence of love than love's presence, then how do people connect in a world that alienates us from ourselves, from our families, and from each other? To what extent do alienation and abandonment define their human experience?
Song of Solomon Discussion Board 3 Period 2 Due Before 10/17 12:00AM
Morrison writes:
“Rootedness: The Ancestor as Foundation," she says, "The autobiographical form is classic in Black American or Afro-American literature because it provided an instance in which a writer could be representative, could say 'My single, solitary and individual life is like the lives of the tribe; it differs in these specific ways, but is a balanced life because it is both solitary and representative.' The contemporary autobiography tends to be 'how I got over—look at me—alone—let me show you how I did it'” (339). This is about journeys through life, and providing a path for others to follow. She draws a boundary between traditional white American autobiography that focuses on individualism and Afro American autobiography and literature, which center on the individual but are also about the community.
Explain and characterize Milkman's Journey. Where does it begin and end, or does it? What type of a journey did he embark upon and to what extent was he an active participant in his own experience? Please support your discussion with at least three properly embedded quotes (you may not repeat others' quotes, however you may wish to interpret a quote rather differently). Your discussion should be informative, reflective, and representative of the entire novel. Always refer to others' ideas as you agree or disagree . . . there is a reward for those who consider multiple perspectives as they offer their own.
Song of Solomon Discussion Board 3 Period 7
Morrison writes:
“Rootedness: The Ancestor as Foundation," she says, "The autobiographical form is classic in Black American or Afro-American literature because it provided an instance in which a writer could be representative, could say 'My single, solitary and individual life is like the lives of the tribe; it differs in these specific ways, but is a balanced life because it is both solitary and representative.' The contemporary autobiography tends to be 'how I got over—look at me—alone—let me show you how I did it'” (339). This is about journeys through life, and providing a path for others to follow. She draws a boundary between traditional white American autobiography that focuses on individualism and Afro American autobiography and literature, which center on the individual but are also about the community.
Explain and characterize Milkman's Journey. Where does it begin and end, or does it? What type of a journey did he embark upon and to what extent was he an active participant in his own experience? Please support your discussion with at least three properly embedded quotes (you may not repeat others' quotes, however you may wish to interpret a quote rather differently). Your discussion should be informative, reflective, and representative of the entire novel. Always refer to others' ideas as you agree or disagree . . . there is a reward for those who consider multiple perspectives as they offer their own.
Song of Solomon Discussion Board 3 Period 6
Morrison writes:
“Rootedness: The Ancestor as Foundation," she says, "The autobiographical form is classic in Black American or Afro-American literature because it provided an instance in which a writer could be representative, could say 'My single, solitary and individual life is like the lives of the tribe; it differs in these specific ways, but is a balanced life because it is both solitary and representative.' The contemporary autobiography tends to be 'how I got over—look at me—alone—let me show you how I did it'” (339). This is about journeys through life, and providing a path for others to follow. She draws a boundary between traditional white American autobiography that focuses on individualism and Afro American autobiography and literature, which center on the individual but are also about the community.
Explain and characterize Milkman's Journey. Where does it begin and end, or does it? What type of a journey did he embark upon and to what extent was he an active participant in his own experience? Please support your discussion with at least three properly embedded quotes (you may not repeat others' quotes, however you may wish to interpret a quote rather differently). Your discussion should be informative, reflective, and representative of the entire novel. Always refer to others' ideas as you agree or disagree . . . there is a reward for those who consider multiple perspectives as they offer their own.
Song of Solomon Discussion Board 3 - Period 5
Morrison writes:
“Rootedness: The Ancestor as Foundation," she says, "The autobiographical form is classic in Black American or Afro-American literature because it provided an instance in which a writer could be representative, could say 'My single, solitary and individual life is like the lives of the tribe; it differs in these specific ways, but is a balanced life because it is both solitary and representative.' The contemporary autobiography tends to be 'how I got over—look at me—alone—let me show you how I did it'” (339). This is about journeys through life, and providing a path for others to follow. She draws a boundary between traditional white American autobiography that focuses on individualism and Afro American autobiography and literature, which center on the individual but are also about the community.
Explain and characterize Milkman's Journey. Where does it begin and end, or does it? What type of a journey did he embark upon and to what extent was he an active participant in his own experience? Please support your discussion with at least three properly embedded quotes (you may not repeat others' quotes, however you may wish to interpret a quote rather differently). Your discussion should be informative, reflective, and representative of the entire novel. Always refer to others' ideas as you agree or disagree . . . there is a reward for those who consider multiple perspectives as they offer their own.
Periods 5, 6, and 7 - Song Of Solomon for Thursday 10/13 - don't let it be unlucky...
Please Come With Any Questions You'd Like Answers To. We Can ask Circe for Guidance and Direction.
Pay particular attention to motifs, patterns of alienation, AND this:
When we began Song of Soloman we viewed and accepted the idea that before leaving their homeland Africans could fly, but had to leave their wings behind when they were forced on the Slave Ships. Other Legends have it that they were seduced by salt, and that salt weighed them down and effectively grounded them.
Dr. Giselle Anatole (University of Kansas) notes:
"The film Daughters of the Dust (1992), directed by Julie Dash, and set in the South Carolina Sea Islands, also deals with the notion of magical escape from the horrific conditions of slavery. The recently arrived Africans, members of the Igbo nation, walk back over the water to Africa. Paule Marshall’s novel Praisesong for the Widow (New York: Plume, 1983) similarly employs this myth. For more information, see the New Georgia Encyclopedia entry on Ebos Landing.
Some people read those stories as symbolic in the way that flight, or walking back over the water, represents escape. In other words, flying away just signifies running away. Other people read the flight as a metaphor for death. According to this interpretation, death, and especially suicide, is a viable means of escape. Rather than suffer the indignities and pain and torture of slavery, some people would kill themselves. The Igbo were one of the groups of people who were not likely to be captured by slavers in Africa, because they had the reputation of killing themselves rather than be taken into captivity. Killing themselves on the ships and once they arrived in the Americas resulted in profit loss. So they weren't taken. They refused to bow down.
These stories help us to comprehend the ending of Song of Solomon, which I think is the most problematic part of the text for people—especially for Western readers who want to read narratives in terms of the real. What really happened? Does Milkman really fly? Does he commit suicide?"
“You want my life?” Milkman was not shouting now. “You need it? Here.” Without wiping away the tears, taking a deep breath, or even bending his knees—he leaped. As fleet and bright as a lodestar he wheeled towards Guitar and it did not matter which one of them would give up his ghost in the killing arms of his brother. For now he knew what Shalimar knew: if you surrendered to the air, you could ride it (337).
What is Morrison doing at the end? Do you think he committed suicide? According to some perspectives, suicide is a cowardly death.
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Monday, October 10, 2016
Substitute Assignment 10.10.16
Due at the End of Class -
Please make sure you have thoroughly answered the questions. Remember to post on the blog (FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS).
We Will View Your Projects On Wednesday. You may leave them with Ms. Alfaro in ESSM if you have them with you today.
1. How is love presented throughout these (13 – 15) chapters?
Refer to pages 306, 315, 319, 323, 336. What is it that Morrison wants us to think about?
2. Summarize the story of Solomon, as told by Mrs. Byrd. Now
consider the last line of the story
on page 337: “For now he knew what Shalimar knew: If you
surrendered to the air, you could ride
it.” What is the connection between Solomon’s story and the
last line? Discuss the pronoun
shift. What does it mean to
surrender? What is the air? What does it mean to “ride” it?
3. Trace one of the following
motifs as it develops through the text: ginger, money/materialism, flying,
peeing on someone, hunger, naming, colors (especially white and gold), roots -What
is the significance of this motif in the novel? How do you know?-Why does
Morrison include it? How does it add to our understanding?
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Song of Solomon Discussion Board 2 - Period 7
Chapter 9
This chapter offers quite a lot and seems to raise just as
many questions as it answers. We haven’t seen much of either of Milkman’s sisters
until this chapter, but man, they do take over this chapter in a powerful
way. We also learn more about Pilate,
and her ability to both play into stereotypical gender roles and transcend
them.
Please take notes on your assigned character/questions. List at least 2 quotations (short, proper citation format) with
analysis in full sentences. You MAY NOT REPEAT.
Read what everyone else assigned to your group wrote first, then try to
add to what they wrote (with new evidence) or respond to a different question
(with new evidence) for your character. DO NOT try to answer all of the questions.
Females:
Corinthians
Males: Lena
Anyone (guys or
girls) who fits any of the following criteria: Pilate
Is left-handed
Is double-jointed
Listens to Country on a regular basis (at least 3 or more x
a week)
1) Corinthians:
What were her/her parents’ expectations for her life? Why aren’t they working out? Why isn’t she married? What are black, moving-into-middle-class men looking
for in a wife? Any of this remind you of
Death of a Salesman?
How does Corinthians change, first, by working for
Michael-Mary, and second, by taking up with Porter?
Who is Henry Porter (what do we know about him from previous
chapters)?
How did you react to the scene of Corinthians throwing
herself across Porter’s car? Is this the
act of a “doll-baby” or “grown up woman”?
Explain.
Significance /symbolism of the rose petals for
Corinthians?
What are Morrison’s overall messages in Corinthians’ story
about love, about the life of women, about individuality?
2) Pilate:
How does Pilate transform herself in order to get Milkman
and Guitar out of jail? Be specific.
What story does she tell? How
does this act demonstrate her understanding of her society? Is she being weak or strong here? Why?
Milkman says that this whole incident makes him feel
“shame…stuck to his skin” (209-210).
Why? Is this “shame” a step
forward or a step back in his character development? (To what extent is he
ashamed of himself, to what extent is he ashamed of his aunt?)
3) Magdalene called
Lena:
How does Milkman dismiss/disrespect Lena in earlier chapters
and/or leading into their conversation at the end of chapter 9?
Why is Lena angry with Milkman (one specific action, and
then more generally)? What does she mean by “there are all kinds of ways to pee
on people?” (214)
How has sexism and stereotypical gender roles played out in
this family, according to Lena? How does
Milkman’s statement that “I don’t carry no stick; I live and let live” (214)
reveal his fundamental misunderstanding of how these gender roles function?
How is Lena’s attitude toward the roses significant?
What are Morrison’s overall messages about the life of women
and the life of men that she is communicating through Lena’s story?
Song of Solomon Discussion Board 2 - Period 3
Chapter 9
This chapter offers quite a lot and seems to raise just as
many questions as it answers. We haven’t seen much of either of Milkman’s sisters
until this chapter, but man, they do take over this chapter in a powerful
way. We also learn more about Pilate,
and her ability to both play into stereotypical gender roles and transcend
them.
Please take notes on your assigned character/questions. List at least 2 quotations (short, proper citation format) with
analysis in full sentences. You MAY NOT REPEAT.
Read what everyone else assigned to your group wrote first, then try to
add to what they wrote (with new evidence) or respond to a different question
(with new evidence) for your character. DO NOT try to answer all of the questions.
Females:
Corinthians
Males: Lena
Anyone (guys or
girls) who fits any of the following criteria: Pilate
Is left-handed
Is double-jointed
Listens to Country on a regular basis (at least 3 or more x
a week)
1) Corinthians:
What were her/her parents’ expectations for her life? Why aren’t they working out? Why isn’t she married? What are black, moving-into-middle-class men looking
for in a wife? Any of this remind you of
Death of a Salesman?
How does Corinthians change, first, by working for
Michael-Mary, and second, by taking up with Porter?
Who is Henry Porter (what do we know about him from previous
chapters)?
How did you react to the scene of Corinthians throwing
herself across Porter’s car? Is this the
act of a “doll-baby” or “grown up woman”?
Explain.
Significance /symbolism of the rose petals for
Corinthians?
What are Morrison’s overall messages in Corinthians’ story
about love, about the life of women, about individuality?
2) Pilate:
How does Pilate transform herself in order to get Milkman
and Guitar out of jail? Be specific.
What story does she tell? How
does this act demonstrate her understanding of her society? Is she being weak or strong here? Why?
Milkman says that this whole incident makes him feel
“shame…stuck to his skin” (209-210).
Why? Is this “shame” a step
forward or a step back in his character development? (To what extent is he
ashamed of himself, to what extent is he ashamed of his aunt?)
3) Magdalene called
Lena:
How does Milkman dismiss/disrespect Lena in earlier chapters
and/or leading into their conversation at the end of chapter 9?
Why is Lena angry with Milkman (one specific action, and
then more generally)? What does she mean by “there are all kinds of ways to pee
on people?” (214)
How has sexism and stereotypical gender roles played out in
this family, according to Lena? How does
Milkman’s statement that “I don’t carry no stick; I live and let live” (214)
reveal his fundamental misunderstanding of how these gender roles function?
How is Lena’s attitude toward the roses significant?
What are Morrison’s overall messages about the life of women
and the life of men that she is communicating through Lena’s story?
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