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.
Milkman's journey seems to begin once he travels to discover his history. Corinthians kicks him out of the house and tells him that he "[has] pissed [his] last in this house (p.216)." His journey begins with an abrupt ending to his past life, the only life he had known up to this point. Milkman quite literally takes flight. The flight essentially freed him in the sense that "in the air, away from real life, he felt free, but on the ground...the wings of all other people's nightmares flapped in his face and constrained him (p.220)." This liberation from others' opinions alters Milkman's attitude and/or perspective but not at first. It is not until Milkman loses everything he owns, does his perspective change.
ReplyDeleteOriginally, the whole purpose of his quest was to find the gold. Along the way, though, he learns a more in depth story of his family history from Reverend Cooper. With the goal of gold still in mind, the Reverend's nephew takes him to Circe's house. He must walk from the road, into a rough terrain, in order to get there. As he walks, "his hat [gets] knocked off by the first branches...his cuffless pants were darken by the mile-long walk over moist leaves (p. 238)." His appearance, which was something important to him back home, is physically altered by this walk to the house. It illustrates how Milkman is changing not only physically but his perspective is changing too.
Milkman's journey ends when he takes flight at the end of the novel. He learned more about his family history from Susan Byrd. She tells him how Sing's mother was "one of those flying African children (p.321)." This foreshadows Pilate and Milkman's eventual flight. Once he returns home, Milkman and Pilate decide to go to Solomon's Leap to bury Pilate's father. Guitar follows them to Solomon's Leap and shoots Pilate. Milkman realizes the reason he loved Pilate so much was, because "without ever leaving the ground, she could fly (p.336)." Milkman leaps and ends his journey.
Ever since Milkman was a child his journey started with trying to find his sense of identity. “Milkman stood before his mirror and glanced, in the low light of the wall lamp, at his reflection. He was, as usual, unimpressed with what he saw… But it lacked coherence, a coming together of the features into a total self.”(Pg.69) Milkman’s main goal is to find his identity away from his parents, in order for him to finally fly. Milkman doubted himself a lot, believed he didn’t have a future. So he took it upon himself to discover more about himself and find answers. He embarks a journey looking for “gold”(flying). Throughout his journey hoping to gain his independence, he has a spiritual awakening and grounds himself in his past and his origins. Guitar does tend to help Milkman to a certain extent.“”Now you know something about yourself you didn’t know before: who you are and what you are.”(Pg.104) Trying to teach him how to find himself, and how to know himself. I believe his journey ended when “Without wiping away the tears, taking a deep breath, or even bending his knees-- he leaped.”(Pg.337) Without even hesitating he surrendered his life, and flew. Having gained knowledge of his ancestry, he ultimately found himself.
ReplyDelete-Laura Rubio
but was he actively engaged or was this some accident like everything else in his life?
DeleteMilkman’s journey can be characterized as a hero’s journey. It begins with him mentioning the green sac to his father, and continues Macon telling him to “get the gold” “for the both of [them]” (pg. 172). Milkman, infected with his malady of gold and material wealth, obeys his father in pursuit to acquire the gold. He follows through with a plan to steal the gold with Guitar. However, it ends with them getting caught by police with a sack of bones and rocks. Milkman and Guitar are later freed by Macon and Pilate. Milkman then faces many trials and tribulations, including facing death numerous times, losing everything of value to him, and learning how to fly. He then heads out in search for his lost inheritance and along the way, Milkman’s closest friend, Guitar, tries to murder him by strangling him with a wire. He is also stripped of his material possessions and is left to fend for himself. Milkman goes to the site where he was told the gold was but the journey, as milkman thought, was futile. He did not find the gold he was looking for, but instead found a town where he finds something more valuable than gold. He learns his past and his true self. He also learns that “some of those Africans [slave traders] brought could fly” (pg. 322) with this new found knowledge Milkman heads back home. Upon his arrival he is told about the many events that unfolded in his absence, including Hagar’s death. Pilate captures Milkman and after discussion they decide to head back to their roots. They arrive at Solomon’s leap where Guitar accidently shoots Pilate. Milkman, who no longer feared death, let go of everything to transcend into the wind of freedom. “He knew now what Shalimar knew. If you surrender to the air, you could ride it” (pg. 337) thus ending Milkman’s journey.
ReplyDeletewas he a passenger or participant on this journey?
DeleteMilkman’s journey can be characterized as a hero’s journey. It begins with him mentioning the green sac to his father, and continues Macon telling him to “get the gold” “for the both of [them]” (pg. 172). Milkman, infected with his malady of gold and material wealth, obeys his father in pursuit to acquire the gold. He follows through with a plan to steal the gold with Guitar. However, it ends with them getting caught by police with a sack of bones and rocks. Milkman and Guitar are later freed by Macon and Pilate. Milkman then faces many trials and tribulations, including facing death numerous times, losing everything of value to him, and learning how to fly. He then heads out in search for his lost inheritance and along the way, Milkman’s closest friend, Guitar, tries to murder him by strangling him with a wire. He is also stripped of his material possessions and is left to fend for himself. Milkman goes to the site where he was told the gold was but the journey, as milkman thought, was futile. He did not find the gold he was looking for, but instead found a town where he finds something more valuable than gold. He learns his past and his true self. He also learns that “some of those Africans [slave traders] brought could fly” (pg. 322) with this new found knowledge Milkman heads back home. Upon his arrival he is told about the many events that unfolded in his absence, including Hagar’s death. Pilate captures Milkman and after discussion they decide to head back to their roots. They arrive at Solomon’s leap where Guitar accidently shoots Pilate. Milkman, who no longer feared death, let go of everything to transcend into the wind of freedom. “He knew now what Shalimar knew. If you surrender to the air, you could ride it” (pg. 337) thus ending Milkman’s journey.
ReplyDeleteMilkmans jurney begins when he
ReplyDelete"take him to the woman who had as much to do with his future as she had his past.” (p. 36) he is very interested in his family history like when he asks Macon about his father and Pilate about his family. Without answers he begins to feel very disconnected from his culture.
"Milkman stood before his mirror and glanced, in the low light of the wall lamp, at his reflection. He was, as usual, unimpressed with what he saw. " (page 70) milkman is always looking behind him. When he’s riding in the family hearse he’s looking at the view behind him. When he meets Hagar he falls in love with her behind. When he walks down a street he’s going in the opposite direction of everyone else. He doesn’t know what he cares for, believes in, or values. This is important because it shows milkman has no sense of self and struggls to have structure or have a connection to his history.
By the end of the novel Milkman jumps off of Solomon’s Leap, and learns what his great-grandfather knew: "if you surrendered to the air, you could ride it" (page 337). Milkman learns his place in the world and he knows that he can't fight it any longer and that if he let's go everything will fall into place
I rather like this idea. Was his search intentional?
DeleteMilkmans whole life had been a bleak existance. In the beginning he made mistakes by looking back and not ahead. "It was becoming a habit- this concentration on things behind him." (Pg.35). This attitude begins to change as he ages and he doesnt fit in with society. He seems to not want the same as those around him. "Crowded with people all walking in the direction he was coming from."(pg.78). In the end he becomes aware of life and its meaning. He doesnt value wealth or the years he lives he looks forward into what, he can change in life and what he can enjoy. "It’s not about living longer. It’s about how you live and why." (Pg.160)
ReplyDeleteMilkman's journey began the day Freddie saw him being breastfed by his mother, Ruth. Why? Because this was the day, although Milkman didn't realize it at the time, that he had some sort of "power" or control over women. "A natural milkman if ever I seen one. Look out womens. Here he come, Huh!" - Freddie (pg. 15) Ruth was dependent on Milkman being there to feed her desire for pleasure. Years later, Milkman would go on to affect the life of Hagar tremendously. He would become her very reason for existence and ultimately, he would be the only thing on her mind as she passed away. "Silky hair? Milkman?" "He don't like hair like mine." - Hagar (pg. 315) On and on she went about how Milkman didn't like her appearance until her very last breath. The affect Milkman had on these women's lives is remarkable. To a certain extent he controlled their actions and thoughts. Milkman at this time, however, was not aware of the damage he had done to Hagar as his journey had taken him to a completely new direction much earlier before her death. He no longer craved Hagar's attention and affection to feed his "manhood." Milkman chose to follow a path that would reveal to him who he truly was and who he was meant to be in this world. This new course took him places where he discovered the truth about his family's past. The experiences he encountered along the way changed him into a man. Milkman now knew about the importance of certain individuals in his life and how he must treasure them as they are the ones that have carried him through his own life.
ReplyDeleteDid Milkman's journey really end? I believe not. If he defeated Guitar in battle (hopefully) then he continues to live, thus allowing him to go on and spread his new found ideas influencing others and maybe even his children if of course, someone puts up with him long enough for that to happen.
Jose Lopez
but Guitar lays down his gun and Milkman leaps. Guitar watches...
DeleteWere his experiences self aware or accidents?
Milkman's journeys shouldn't be characterized as one single expedition. He goes through physical, inner, and imaginative journeys. Milkman's journey started physically, he wanted to be able to attain wealth and started realizing his physical abnormalities. ("By the time Milkman was fourteen he had noticed that one of his legs was shorter than the other.")(pg.62) Milkman starts to depict these characteristics that he is born with and taught ("Own things. And let the things you own own other things too.") His materialistic mindset was triggered when he became aware that there was gold in Pilate's place. Throughout the search for gold he encountered many surreal events that kindled his imaginary journey, he started to make discoveries with his pure imagination that he later realized at the end of the story. "You want me? You want my life," this text depicts the development of Milkman's inner journey. He learned to surpass through all the obstacles to reach the state that infinite happiness was brought. I think this because his life was always seen superior than others, but at the end he learned to surrender his ego for "gold."
ReplyDeleteWhat does he learn about being human?
DeleteMilkman's journey is one of self-discovery. He longs for the knowledge of who his family is, so that he can clearly define who he is. The hunt for more knowledge of his family begins the night Macon II explains to Milkman Ruth's relationship with her father. "Milkman sat on the edge of his bed; everything was still except for the light buzzing in his head."(pg.74) Milkman then understands he knows little to nothing of his family, let alone his family history. As his journey continues, Milkman's curiosity and sense of entitlement to an explanation from his mother grows. "'And I also prayed for you. Every single night and every single day. On my knees. Now you tell me. What harm did I do you on my knees?' That was the beginning."(pg.126) After following his mother to the cemetery and seeing things from her point-of-view, Milkman knows he has uncovered a hidden part of himself and there is no going back.
ReplyDeleteThrough his trip to Shalimar, in search of the gold, as Milkman loses his material possessions, he gains information about his ancestry. Soon enough, the last thing on finding worldly wealth. Through interacting with his community, Milkman also gains humility, humbles himself, and reflects upon the downfalls of his life. I feel that Milkman's emotional and mental journey comes to an end when he accepts and takes responsibility for Hagar's self-destruction and death. "...he walked into the house on Not Doctor Street with almost none of the things he'd taken with him. But he returned with a box of Hagar's hair." (pg.334) For the first time in his life, Milkman takes the brunt of his actions instead of fleeing, hiding, and ceased "pissing" on others.
Lovely Colbi
DeleteMilkman's journey began when he "knocked his father down"(pg.68) to defend his mother and played out until the end. By doing this, Milkman essentially opened a can of worms. His father told him one story about Ruth and her father but she told him another, which caused him to question everything around him. He realized that his mother had "nursed [him] when [he] was old enough to talk, to stand up..."(p.78) which caused him to seek help from others like Pilate and Guitar because he knew he only served as an item of pleasure to his mother. As the story goes on, Milkman develops a desire for money, which drives him on a "hunt" for gold and instead discovers his family history and himself along the way. He takes advice from others who guide him to his grandparents' native town. There he is almost killed by his best friend Guitar, as his life flashes before him and he realizes that he had been blinded by the pursuit of finding the gold. Later on, he returns home and goes back to Solomon's Leap with Pilate, who essentially led his curiosity. When there, Guitar shot Pilate and Milkman "leaped"(p.337) so he took flight.
ReplyDeleteTell me about this can of worms? do they feed or fertilize?
DeleteMilkman's journey takes him down a path of self-realization and the discovery of his family history. His journey begins when he realizes that he must take this trip solo in order to truly embark on a path to self-discovery. “Other people’s nightmares,” (pg.220) such as “Lena’s anger, Corinthian’s loose and uncombed hair…. Ruth’s stepped-up surveillance, his father’s bottomless greed, [and] Hagar’s hollow eyes,” (pg.220) were constraints that restricted him from truly taking flight. Milkman’s journey was a way to free himself from his father, Macon, and the rest of his family. He believed that the only way to free himself of his family’s wants and needs was by “[having his] own money.” (pg. 222) However, as he continued his journey he was stripped down, quite literally, of all the material possessions and ideas he thought defined him as a person. From being treated with “hostility” in Shalimar for “[having] the heart of [a] white man” (pg.266) to getting his watch stolen from Grace. His journey, which began with the intentions of finding gold, which was supposed to free him, ended with milkman finding himself. He was no longer Macon Dead’s “office boy” (pg. 222) He was a man that found himself. He was a man that flew. He was a man that “surrendered to the air, and [rode] it.” (pg.337)
ReplyDelete-Marissa Esparza
lovely use of text; now tell me, to what extent was this an accidental journey?
DeleteMilkman goes off into a journey in search of his true identity. This feeling of wanting to know where he came from begins slowly and unconsciously as he soon discovers the true mistakes and negative feelings his parents have. For example, finding out about the reason why Ruth had him to replace the affection she wouldn't receive from Macon. Also the grand amount of greed Macon felt was also another eye opener to the ideas he didn't want to be a part of. So the realization of all these defects serve as the start of his journey. "He'd always believed his childhood was sterile, but the knowledge Macon and Ruth had given wrapped his memory in it..." (pg 180), this quote serves as evidence that in a way he always felt miserable due to the feelings left upon him from his parents. As he ventured onto his journey, he went through a transformation material-wise. This detachment of material things helps ground him to the world. "As the stars made themselves visible, Milkman tried to figure what was true and what was part of what was true had anything to do with him." (pg 75). As he goes on this journey, we get to see Pilate become a very important figure for his development. She helps him connect to his past and soon they become close, contrary to what is said or inferred of her by Macon Dead. "Pilate cant teach you a thing in this world. Maybe the next, but not this one." (pg 55)
ReplyDeleteMilkman goes in search to find himself and with this he has trouble doing so because his parents aren't all so well in good terms so he finds out that they have some disagreements. "he knocked his father down" (pg.68). he is talking about how he did that in order to protect his mom and this also shows that his mom is kind of scared of Milkman's dad because she didn't really do anything in order to stop the violence she was facing.
ReplyDelete-Ivan Guerrero