Song of Solomon Characters and Themes

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Questions and Answers

Who was Winnie Ruth Judd?

An insane white woman who committed multiple murders in the 1930s and kept escaping the insane asylums she was admitted to.

How did people describe murders committed by African Americans versus whites?

Black people kill for clearer-cut reasons or in the heat of the moment, while white people's murders are considered amusing unless the victims are black.

Why do Milkman and Guitar fight?

Guitar told Milkman he didn't need to know details about the murders, leading to accusations about wealth and entitlement.

What was Milkman's dream he told Guitar after their fight?

Ruth was digging up holes in the ground to plant flowers, which grew taller than her and seemed to endanger her. Signup and view all the answers

What does Milkman say are the only two things Guitar likes?

Sports and politics. Signup and view all the answers

Where was Freddie born?

Jacksonville, Florida. Signup and view all the answers

How does Freddie think his mom died?

He thinks she was killed by ghosts after having labor pains and seeing a white bull. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Empire State?

A mentally unstable janitor that Guitar hangs out with. Signup and view all the answers

Who does Freddie tell Milkman to talk to about the murders?

Corinthians. Signup and view all the answers

What does Milkman think about when lying in Guitar's bed six months after their argument?

Being stabbed by an icepick. Signup and view all the answers

What does Guitar say is different between northerners and southerners?

Southerners are picky eaters. Signup and view all the answers

Who does Guitar say tried to kill Milkman?

A woman with a knife. Signup and view all the answers

Why are renters more open with Milkman than his father?

Because he's more friendly. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Feather tell Milkman to leave his pool hall?

Because he's Macon Dead's son. Signup and view all the answers

Who owns the barbershop that scolds Milkman and Guitar for skipping school and drinking and gambling?

Railroad Tommy and Hospital Tommy. Signup and view all the answers

Why doesn't Guitar like sweet foods?

They make him think of white people and dead people. Signup and view all the answers

Which of Milkman's feet is shorter than the other?

His left foot. Signup and view all the answers

What President does Milkman relate to and why?

Franklin D. Roosevelt. FDR had polio and couldn't walk and Milkman's left foot was shorter than his right. Signup and view all the answers

When was the last time Macon Dead hit Ruth?

Milkman was 22 and hit Macon Dead back. Signup and view all the answers

How does Milkman view Ruth?

Sad and weak. Signup and view all the answers

What does Ruth think inspired her father to kill himself?

Her and Macon Dead's marriage. Signup and view all the answers

Who notices Ruth's manipulation to Macon Dead?

Corinthians. Signup and view all the answers

How does Ruth provoke Macon Dead?

Ruth describes Anna Djvorak's granddaughter's wedding at dinner in great detail. Signup and view all the answers

How does Milkman's family view him after he hit Macon?

Macon is humiliated, surprised, and proud. Milkman is sad to have so easily defeated a man he once thought was unbeatable. Corinthians and Lena are mad at him. Signup and view all the answers

What does Milkman want to study? What is Ruth's advice to him?

Milkman wants to go to med school. She advises him to use his middle name, Foster, instead of being Doctor Dead. Signup and view all the answers

What does Macon think of his children attending school?

He wants Corinthians and Lena to so they can find husbands. He thinks it's pointless for Milkman since he helps in the office. Signup and view all the answers

Who was happy that Lena and Corinthians were born with lighter skin?

Dr. Foster (Ruth's dad). Signup and view all the answers

What is discovered in Tommy's Barbershop?

Emmitt Till was murdered for whistling at a white woman. Signup and view all the answers

What does Macon Dead give everyone for Christmas?

Money. Signup and view all the answers

How does Milkman describe Hagar after dating her for 12 years around Christmas time?

A third beer, what someone drinks just because it's there. Signup and view all the answers

What did Pilate do when Reba was beaten by her boyfriend? Who sees this and what happens after?

Give him a wound near the heart. Milkman sees this and says that Pilate is tough. Signup and view all the answers

What does Milkman compare inheriting Macon Dead's business to?

Freedom. Signup and view all the answers

What does Guitar say is different between northerners and southerners? How does he know this?

Southerners are picky eaters. He traveled north. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Hagar try to kill Milkman?

After he broke up with her, he began seeing another woman. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Characters and Relationships

Milkman Dead: Protagonist; has a social detachment from family and tries to understand his roots and identity.
Ruth Foster Dead: Milkman's mother; views her marriage as a source of regret and grief.
Macon Dead: Milkman's father; controlling and abusive towards Ruth, creating tension within the family.
Hagar: Milkman's love interest; becomes desperate and violent after Milkman ends their relationship.
Guitar: Milkman's friend; becomes involved in a vengeance-driven group called "Seven Days".

Significant Events and Themes

Milkman's relationship with renters is more open due to his friendly demeanor, which contrasts with his father Macon's aloofness.
Hagar attempts to kill Milkman after feeling betrayed by his infidelity, showcasing the theme of obsessive love.
The barbershop run by Railroad Tommy and Hospital Tommy reflects community scrutiny and societal issues, discussing racial violence like the murder of Emmitt Till.
Milkman's foot condition symbolizes his differences and struggles, paralleling Franklin D. Roosevelt's physical challenges.
Ruth's emotional bond with her deceased father illustrates her feelings of isolation and dependency on male figures.
The fight between Milkman and Guitar underscores themes of privilege and class conflict, with Milkman being seen as entitled compared to Guitar's struggles.

References to the murder of Emmitt Till reveal racial tensions and societal perceptions of violence in the African American community.
The narrative showcases disparities in how murders committed by Black and white individuals are perceived and justified, highlighting systemic racism.
The story incorporates historical figures like Franklin D. Roosevelt and addresses the impact of the Great Depression on families and communities.

Familial Conflicts and Dynamics

Milkman's feelings of sadness and conflict towards his family's dysfunction are central to his character development.
Macon's cynicism towards his children's education is tied to his views on their future, focusing on marriage prospects rather than personal growth.
The story reveals layers of manipulation within familial relationships, particularly between Ruth and Macon, and later between Milkman and Hagar.

Personal Growth and Identity

Milkman's journey involves seeking his family's history, with his inheritance of gold becoming a symbol of freedom and self-discovery.
The characters grapple with their identities, as seen through Pilate's uniqueness and her relationship with traditional femininity.
Throughout the narrative, Milkman's revelations about his family history and the people around him lead him toward a deeper understanding of his own identity.

Symbolism and Motifs

Milkman's foot serves as a recurring motif about limitations and disparities in his life.
Pilate's missing naval symbolizes her rejection of societal norms and her independence.
The act of stealing Pilate's gold represents the complicated relationship with ancestry and the costs associated with their pasts.

Conclusion

The interconnected lives of characters in "Song of Solomon" bring to life themes of identity, love, revenge, and societal critique, creating a rich tapestry that explores the African American experience.### Character Overview
Empire State is portrayed as a mentally unstable janitor, associated with Guitar.
Freddie suspects that Guitar has information about the murders, leading him to believe Empire State is the actual murderer.

Key Interactions

Freddie advises Milkman to seek out Corinthians for insights regarding the murders and information on Smith.

Reflection on Conflict

While lying in Guitar's bed six months post-Christmas argument, Milkman contemplates the thought of being stabbed with an icepick, illustrating his internal conflict and the dynamics of their friendship.
Guitar has been protective of Milkman despite their earlier conflict.

Cultural Perspectives

Guitar observes differences between northerners and southerners, noting that southerners are more particular about their food preferences.
His perspective comes from personal travel experiences in the northern regions.

Threats to Milkman

Guitar recounts an incident where a woman attempted to harm Milkman with a knife, indicating the dangers surrounding their lives.

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Description

Explore the key characters and significant themes in Toni Morrison's 'Song of Solomon'. This quiz examines the complex relationships and pivotal events that shape Milkman Dead's journey toward understanding his identity. Test your knowledge on how these elements reflect broader societal issues.