Podcast
Questions and Answers
Why did the Seven Days need a new member?
Why did the Seven Days need a new member?
Smith jumped off the hospital roof.
What happens when Milkman returns to Shalimar with Pilate?
What happens when Milkman returns to Shalimar with Pilate?
He and Pilate get along with everyone.
What was Solomon's Leap?
What was Solomon's Leap?
An outcropping of two rocks where Solomon began his flight to Africa, to bury Jake.
What is buried on Jake's remains? What happens after this?
What is buried on Jake's remains? What happens after this?
Who shot Pilate?
Who shot Pilate?
What did Milkman learn that Shalimar knew?
What did Milkman learn that Shalimar knew?
Who does Corinthians work for as a maid?
Who does Corinthians work for as a maid?
Why does Corinthians call herself an amanuensis?
Why does Corinthians call herself an amanuensis?
Why do many men avoid Corinthians?
Why do many men avoid Corinthians?
Where did Corinthians attend college?
Where did Corinthians attend college?
What is Miss Graham's political standing?
What is Miss Graham's political standing?
What did Corinthians not tell Miss Graham?
What did Corinthians not tell Miss Graham?
What is Miss Graham's occupation?
What is Miss Graham's occupation?
Why does Miss Graham's assistant, Michael-Mary, hire Corinthians?
Why does Miss Graham's assistant, Michael-Mary, hire Corinthians?
What does Michael-Mary teach Corinthians to do?
What does Michael-Mary teach Corinthians to do?
How does Corinthians get to work every day, and who does she meet?
How does Corinthians get to work every day, and who does she meet?
What is Henry Porter's occupation?
What is Henry Porter's occupation?
What do Corinthians and Henry Porter do for dates?
What do Corinthians and Henry Porter do for dates?
Why is Corinthians ashamed to go out with Henry?
Why is Corinthians ashamed to go out with Henry?
What was Corinthians carrying when she saw Smith jump off the roof of the hospital?
What was Corinthians carrying when she saw Smith jump off the roof of the hospital?
What does Corinthians do to not allow Henry to drive away?
What does Corinthians do to not allow Henry to drive away?
When had we previously met Henry?
When had we previously met Henry?
What does Henry do to Corinthians?
What does Henry do to Corinthians?
What does Porter keep, and why?
What does Porter keep, and why?
Why do Macon and Milkman argue after Corinthians returns home after being raped?
Why do Macon and Milkman argue after Corinthians returns home after being raped?
Why were Milkman and Guitar thrown in jail for two hours?
Why were Milkman and Guitar thrown in jail for two hours?
Who was Pilate's late husband?
Who was Pilate's late husband?
Who did the bones belong to in Pilate's sack?
Who did the bones belong to in Pilate's sack?
Who belongs to the Seven Days?
Who belongs to the Seven Days?
What does Lena show Milkman?
What does Lena show Milkman?
Who tells Macon that Corinthians was seeing Henry?
Who tells Macon that Corinthians was seeing Henry?
What does Lena think Milkman has become?
What does Lena think Milkman has become?
Who is Milkman compared to when he's thinking of gold while walking in the forest?
Who is Milkman compared to when he's thinking of gold while walking in the forest?
Who drove Milkman to the forest in Danville, Pennsylvania?
Who drove Milkman to the forest in Danville, Pennsylvania?
Why did Milkman want to go to Danville, Pennsylvania?
Why did Milkman want to go to Danville, Pennsylvania?
How did Milkman get to Danville, Pennsylvania, and why didn't Guitar come?
How did Milkman get to Danville, Pennsylvania, and why didn't Guitar come?
Why does Guitar say everyone wants the life of a black man?
Why does Guitar say everyone wants the life of a black man?
Where does Milkman want to go to find the gold?
Where does Milkman want to go to find the gold?
How does Milkman meet Reverend Cooper?
How does Milkman meet Reverend Cooper?
Who made Pilate's earring?
Who made Pilate's earring?
What does Cooper tell Milkman about the Dead's family history over dinner and whiskey?
What does Cooper tell Milkman about the Dead's family history over dinner and whiskey?
Why did Macon's dad never give a trial for his murder?
Why did Macon's dad never give a trial for his murder?
What did Milkman's nightmares about witches end in?
What did Milkman's nightmares about witches end in?
What does Milkman find upstairs in the Butler's house?
What does Milkman find upstairs in the Butler's house?
What does Circe tell Milkman about Macon's Mom?
What does Circe tell Milkman about Macon's Mom?
What town in Virginia did Pilate live?
What town in Virginia did Pilate live?
Did Pilate marry Reba's father?
Did Pilate marry Reba's father?
What does Circe say about Pilate?
What does Circe say about Pilate?
Who does Milkman think Circe would be in another life?
Who does Milkman think Circe would be in another life?
What does Milkman offer Circe?
What does Milkman offer Circe?
Why does Circe care for the Butler's dogs?
Why does Circe care for the Butler's dogs?
What is Macon's father's real name?
What is Macon's father's real name?
What's the name of the cave Milkman goes to?
What's the name of the cave Milkman goes to?
Who does Milkman hitchhike from Hunter's Cave to Danville with?
Who does Milkman hitchhike from Hunter's Cave to Danville with?
How does Milkman determine that Pilate lied about the bones?
How does Milkman determine that Pilate lied about the bones?
What does Milkman notice in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia?
What does Milkman notice in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia?
Where does Milkman's car break down?
Where does Milkman's car break down?
What happened when Milkman got in a fight when he was younger?
What happened when Milkman got in a fight when he was younger?
What does Milkman mistakenly do while he's in Solomon's general store?
What does Milkman mistakenly do while he's in Solomon's general store?
Who in Solomon's general store starts a fight with Milkman?
Who in Solomon's general store starts a fight with Milkman?
Who asks Milkman to go fishing with him?
Who asks Milkman to go fishing with him?
What does Calvin chase while he's hunting with Milkman?
What does Calvin chase while he's hunting with Milkman?
What does Milkman realize while he's hunting?
What does Milkman realize while he's hunting?
Who tries to murder Milkman in the woods?
Who tries to murder Milkman in the woods?
Who is Vernell?
Who is Vernell?
What happened when Milkman sees the dead bobcat?
What happened when Milkman sees the dead bobcat?
What does Vernell tell Milkman about Sing?
What does Vernell tell Milkman about Sing?
Who does Milkman stay with after he goes hunting?
Who does Milkman stay with after he goes hunting?
What happens when Milkman goes to Susan Byrd's house?
What happens when Milkman goes to Susan Byrd's house?
Why did Guitar try to kill Milkman?
Why did Guitar try to kill Milkman?
What does Milkman dream about as he spends the night with Sweet?
What does Milkman dream about as he spends the night with Sweet?
Who repairs Milkman's car?
Who repairs Milkman's car?
What does Milkman say about southerners?
What does Milkman say about southerners?
What do the children sing in Shalimar?
What do the children sing in Shalimar?
Why has Hagar gone crazy?
Why has Hagar gone crazy?
Why does Guitar tell Hagar it's difficult for him to love?
Why does Guitar tell Hagar it's difficult for him to love?
Why does Hagar think Milkman lost interest in her?
Why does Hagar think Milkman lost interest in her?
Why does Hagar get a fever?
Why does Hagar get a fever?
Why do people donate to Hagar's funeral?
Why do people donate to Hagar's funeral?
What does Pilate shout at Hagar's funeral?
What does Pilate shout at Hagar's funeral?
What does Milkman think the second time he visits Susan Byrd's house?
What does Milkman think the second time he visits Susan Byrd's house?
What doesn't Susan tell Milkman the second time he visits her?
What doesn't Susan tell Milkman the second time he visits her?
What does Susan tell Milkman about Solomon?
What does Susan tell Milkman about Solomon?
What does Milkman conclude from what Susan told him?
What does Milkman conclude from what Susan told him?
What does Susan tell Milkman about Jake being a slave?
What does Susan tell Milkman about Jake being a slave?
What does Susan say after Milkman asks about his watch?
What does Susan say after Milkman asks about his watch?
Where does Milkman's car break down for the second time?
Where does Milkman's car break down for the second time?
What does Milkman tell Sweet after he returned?
What does Milkman tell Sweet after he returned?
As Milkman rides the bus back to Michigan, what signs does he see?
As Milkman rides the bus back to Michigan, what signs does he see?
What does Milkman hope for when going back to Michigan?
What does Milkman hope for when going back to Michigan?
What does Milkman think when he arrives home to Michigan?
What does Milkman think when he arrives home to Michigan?
What did Pilate's father mean when he said 'you just can't fly off and leave a body'?
What did Pilate's father mean when he said 'you just can't fly off and leave a body'?
Who was the body Pilate found in the cave?
Who was the body Pilate found in the cave?
What does Milkman tell Pilate to do?
What does Milkman tell Pilate to do?
How do Pilate and Milkman go to Virginia?
How do Pilate and Milkman go to Virginia?
What happens when Milkman returns home?
What happens when Milkman returns home?
Flashcards
Corinthians' Job
Corinthians' Job
Corinthians works as a maid for Miss Graham.
Miss Graham's Profession
Miss Graham's Profession
A poet, specifically the State Poet Laureate.
Corinthians' Education
Corinthians' Education
Three years at Bryn Mawr, plus a year in France.
Corinthians' Hidden Status
Corinthians' Hidden Status
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Henry Porter's Job
Henry Porter's Job
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Henry Porter's Friendship
Henry Porter's Friendship
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Smith's Tragic Act
Smith's Tragic Act
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Milkman's Gold Quest
Milkman's Gold Quest
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Danville, PA
Danville, PA
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Pilate's Connection
Pilate's Connection
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Solomon's rumored Flight
Solomon's rumored Flight
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Milkman and Guitar's Tension
Milkman and Guitar's Tension
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Hagar's Unrequited Love
Hagar's Unrequited Love
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Hagar's Death
Hagar's Death
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Milkman's Return to Shalimar
Milkman's Return to Shalimar
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Pilate's Confrontation
Pilate's Confrontation
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Pilate's Plea
Pilate's Plea
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Milkman's Liberation
Milkman's Liberation
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Study Notes
Corinthians and Miss Graham
- Corinthians works as a maid for Miss Graham, a liberal poet who has won the State Poet Laureateship.
- Despite her education including three years at Bryn Mawr and a year in France, Corinthians refers to herself as an amanuensis and conceals her college graduate status from Miss Graham.
Henry Porter
- Many men avoid Corinthians due to her education, feeling inferior.
- Henry Porter, a yard worker, befriends her on the bus, offering her a poem about friendship, but she feels ashamed to date him due to their differing social standings.
Traumatic Events
- Corinthians witnesses Smith jump from the hospital roof while carrying rose petals, a troubling event that foreshadows her own trauma.
- Henry ultimately rapes Corinthians, resulting in significant conflict as Milkman and Macon argue about the aftermath.
Milkman's Journey
- Milkman seeks the gold that supposedly belonged to Pilate, connected to his family's past, including the murder of his grandfather by the Butler family.
- He visits Danville, Pennsylvania, where he learns about his family's history and their connection to a cave where his grandfather’s body is hidden with gold.
Family History and Lore
- Reverend Cooper shares details about Milkman’s family history, noting the influence of the Butler family in the historical murder of Macon’s father.
- It’s revealed that Milkman’s grandfather, Solomon, was rumored to have flown back to Africa, leaving behind his family, a significant story in Milkman's quest for identity.
Relationships and Tensions
- Tensions run high between Milkman and Guitar, particularly following the conflicts surrounding the search for the gold, culminating in Guitar’s attempt to kill Milkman in the woods after mistrust arises.
- Hagar, deeply affected by her unrequited love for Milkman, becomes obsessed and ultimately dies from despair, highlighting the emotional fallout of Milkman’s actions.
Return to Shalimar
- Milkman's return to Shalimar and interactions with the community reflect his transformation and the impact of his journey, both personally and culturally.
- He learns painful truths about his family's past, solidifying his understanding of their legacy and the importance of connections within the African American community.
Climax and Resolution
- Pilate is shot by Guitar during a confrontation, leading to an emotional climax where she asks Milkman to care for Reba, marking a powerful moment of redemption and loss.
- The narrative concludes with Milkman discovering that surrendering to the air can lead to liberation, symbolizing the importance of heritage and acceptance of one's identity.
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