Struggle To Reconnect With Heritage In Song Of Solomon Analysis

Struggle to reconnect with heritage in Song of Solomon The 1977 novel, Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison reveals that the search for one’s ancestral roots can affect your identity from its current state. The novel revolves around the life of the protagonist, Macon Dead III also known as Milkman who encounters a lot of obstacles trying to reconnect with his heritage from early child age to adulthood as an African American. The reader will see how Milkman discovery of his rich ancestral heritage impacted his of view of being African American in an American society. The author uses characters like Pilate and Guitar to influence or motivate Milkman in the search for his identity in that he goes back to the past in search of historical records
He encourages Milkman to steal gold from Pilate that he supposes she has hidden in a green sack. “He turned to his son full face and licked his lips. “Macon get it and you can have half of it go wherever you want. Get it” (Morrison 286). Macon Dead II is a very materialistic and self-centered character as portrayed by Morrison. His plans backfired and his son and Guitar were found with a sack of rocks and human remains (Mr. Solomon’s bones) instead of gold. Milkman and Guitar were prison for being caught stealing from Pilate, but she withdrew the charges. Pilate then convinces Milkman of family history by sharing her version of his grandfather Mr. Solomon. Pilate is like the link for Milkman’s reconnection to his ancestral heritage because he is then inclined to go on a
He begins to understand that he has thought too highly of himself in a Western society or Western setting due to his father upbringing. In Shalimar he is about to unfold his ancestral roots. According Khaled Ahmed Shala means “home” which comes from the word Shalimar, hence Milkman felt he was at home. Milkman felt contented with his experience at Shalimar and said, “Shalimar was going to be home. His original home. His people came from here, his grandfather and his grandmother” (Morrison 439). Milkman begins to accept and take pride in his true identity of being African American after gaining knowledge about his ancestral roots from Africa. Another instance in the novel that shed some light to Milkman’s history is when he came across some children sing the “Solomon don’t leave me here” and he juxtaposes it with the old blues song Pilate use to sing “O Sugarman don’t leave me here” (Morrison 486). Candidly, Milkman is making connections and analyzing the setting in the Southern and Western part of America. All this knowledge caused Milkman to develop hate towards his parents and siblings for scorning their blackness. The song “Solomon” sang by the children has a significant meaning for Milkman because the lyrics help him trace the story of his grandfather flying back to Africa in a mythological perspective. He recognizes the names of his ancestors and his grandfather being the first black man to