The Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison is a beautifully woven tale of family, love, betrayal, and identity. Written in 1977, the book quickly became an American classic, winning the National Book Critics Circle Award and nominations for the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award. The novel is set in the fictional town of Mercy, Michigan, centered around the lives of the infamously wealthy family of Macon Dead.
Macon Dead II, nicknamed Milkman, is the protagonist at the center of the novel. After spending his childhood in the lavish household of his father, he is suddenly left to find his own way in life. He shies away from his family’s wealthy roots and deliberately pursues a lifestyle that embraces poverty. On a journey to find his ancestry, he unravels a powerful and dark family secret that evokes painful memories of the family’s brutal past.
The novel follows the individual stories of many other characters—including his mother, Pilate; his father, Macon Dead; and his aunt, who is notorious for her cat and dog hoards—each story connected to Milkman’s own journey. Each character, though broken from their tainted pasts, thrives in the support of, and strengthened by, relationships with the other characters.
The Song of Solomon is truly an epic tale of healing and compassion, composed of myth, history, and insight. It depicts the complexities of human interaction, of the struggles for self-worth, and of the beauty and power behind the mastering of adversity. Despite its darkness, the novel is a testament to the resilience of family and the power of finding one’s own identity.
Most notably, the novel is deeply intertwined with spiritual connotations, religious allusions and mythological roots that pay homage to African American culture and mythology. The often cited “flight” motif that weaves its way through the story speaks not just of physical ascension and descending, but of finding meaningful spiritual connections to one’s past.
Evoking the same sort of emotion experienced by their grandparents and their families, many readers found a deep personal connection to The Song of Solomon. In this way, Morrison was able to give voice to a generation that had otherwise been silenced. Through her words, Morrison created an amazing world of memory, hope, and pride that still resonates with readers today. Her masterful writing, her nuanced characters and her poignant themes combine to make The Song of Solomon a timeless classic of American literature.
