Questions and Answers
What car does the Dead family take to the Honoré beach community?
What is the rough part of town where many of Macon Jr's tenants live called?
The Blood Bank
What is Macon III's nickname?
Milkman
What does Milkman demand in the middle of the trip to Honoré beach?
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What happens to Lena's dress?
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What incident does Milkman have while peeing?
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What habit does the narrator say Milkman has?
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Who is Guitar Bains?
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What does Milkman do that Macon Jr does not want?
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What was Pilate's upbringing?
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What scared Pilate and Macon when wandering through the forest?
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Who does Milkman fall in love with?
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How does Pilate introduce Hagar?
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What does Reba claim she won?
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What happens when Hagar complains about being hungry?
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How does Macon Jr react when Milkman returns?
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What is the name of Macon Jr's farm?
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What does Macon Jr say about his father's name?
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What does Macon Jr warn Milkman about Pilate?
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Study Notes
Key Characters and Elements
- The Packard: Vehicle used by the Dead family for a trip to Honoré beach, where Macon Jr intends to build homes for affluent African Americans.
- Milkman (Macon III): Protagonist's nickname, suggesting his character's initial immaturity and detachment from family history.
- Lena: Milkman's relative who experiences embarrassment due to Milkman’s careless actions during a bathroom break.
Settings and Themes
- The Blood Bank: Represents a rough part of town, highlighting economic challenges faced by Macon Jr's tenants.
- Pilate’s House: A significant location where Milkman follows Guitar, signifying his rebellious nature against his father's wishes regarding family connections.
Plot Developments
- Bathroom Incident: Milkman's tantrum during the trip results in him unintentionally urinating on Lena, showcasing his childishness and lack of awareness.
- Pilate’s Childhood: Reveals critical backstory where she and Macon Jr faced childhood trauma from their father's violent death, solidifying family bonds through shared trauma.
- Hagar: Introduced as Milkman’s cousin and unexpected love interest, emphasizing complex family dynamics and evolving relationships.
Symbolism and Foreshadowing
- Narrator's Insight: Indicates Milkman’s tendency to reflect on the past rather than planning for the future, hinting at his struggles with identity and purpose.
- Macon Jr’s Warning: Compares Pilate to a snake, implying deceit and hidden motives, which foreshadows potential conflicts within family relations.
Family Dynamics and Social Issues
- Reba's Diamond Ring: Highlights racial disparities in society, as Reba's win goes unrecognized in the media due to her race despite it being a celebratory moment.
- Hagar’s Hunger: Symbolizes broader themes of poverty and maternal concern within the family, as Pilate and Reba promise to alleviate Hagar’s struggles.
Family Legacy
- Macon Jr's Farm: Known as Lincoln's Heaven, it features notable animals, reflecting nostalgic and significant aspects of their family heritage.
- Macon's Name: Discusses the importance of identity and ownership of one's name, thanks to his mother’s influence, impacting family lineage and personal identity.
Character Relationships
- Milkman's Relationship with Guitar: Shows the evolving nature of teenage friendships and the challenges emerging from differing family expectations.
- Pilate's Influence: As a character symbolizing resilience and connection to heritage, she impacts Milkman's understanding of his roots and encourages growth.
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Description
Test your knowledge of Chapter 2 of 'Song of Solomon' with this flashcard quiz. Explore significant terms and concepts, including key locations and characters. Perfect for students looking to understand the intricacies of the novel.
