Simple task: pick anything you want to talk about concerning the end of this book. Write a paragraph.
For example:
-surprised or confused by the ending? How so? Was it an appropriate ending? Why/why not?
-did you enjoy the book overall? Why/why not?
-what do you still want to talk about in class (about the book)?
-a particular moment in the last couple chapters that you particularly enjoyed or found interesting?
-connections you see between this text and others we've read? connections to other myths, biblical stories, African American or Native American histories?
-favorite/least favorite character? Why?
-Morrison's final messages?
(Almost) Last chance to let us know what you think!
Song of Solomon is the best book I've ever read so far. Toni Morrison's language really creates a dream-like hue to emphasize the metaphorical meaning of many of the characters and images. This book is really memorable by the way its written is very deep without being excessive at all. But, I would also like to talk about the ending of the book.
ReplyDeleteI liked the ending although it was slightly expected. It was sad that Pilate died, especially when she said, "I wish I'd a knowed more people. I would've loved 'em all. If I'd a knowed more I would a loved more," (336). Pilate's death seemed to be like a result of her placing the earring box into the grave, and to really get some meaning from it, I looked back at Hagar's funeral and investigated Pilate's name and its importance to the box.
In chapter 13, Pilate bursts into the chapel shouting "Mercy!" and the words is described as having no "frame". However after this, Pilate transforms the word into something much greater, something that strikes fear into the hearts of people standing in the pews. It says, "Conversationally she spoke, identifying Hagar, selecting her away from everybody else in the world who had died," (318). Pilate exercised the ability to turn a word, a name, a life, into something great and mighty like the "elephant," to which the men tried to steal its beauty.
Keeping this in mind as I read the ending, Pilate places the box, which has a frame, and contains her name, and puts it in the box. Her name in the box, with it frame, or box, represents its power and integrity. So she buries the box, essentially burying the only thing her father had written, she then stands and is shot. At this time she may be burying her past and the meaning of her name to be passed down in some other folklore, buried in the dirt of Shalimar on Solomon's Leap.
Sorry something I forgot to add is about when the two birds fly toward the grave and one takes the box. I think that one bird might be Pilate and the other might be Jake? Who knows? But it probably means that Pilate's name flies away from her body and carried off to somewhere else...
DeleteWhen Milkman thinks about the Torniquet he should have been making, and he hears the ripping of the fabric even though he doesn't do it, it reminds me of his dream where he lets his mother be consumed by the plants. Of course, a torniquet would not have helped, but his lack of action makes me sad. Of course, ultimately he is able to give her something because the singing is doing something for someone. And even before that, when he brings her down to bury her father, he is finally doing something for someone.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I have no clue what the ending means where he decides to surrender himself to the air like Solomon, if someone can explain that I'd appreciate it.
I think the ending shows how Milkman is finally "free" and has become his own self. Milkman no longer cuaght up with always trying to control everything, including people, in his life. He had tried to establish control over everyting becuase it was the advice from his father and he thought controlling others could hide his insecurities and make him somebody. When Milkman realizes that "if you surrender to the air, you could ride it" (337), he has not given up in defeat, but has actual won. No one can control the air and Milkman realizes that he is just fighting a losing battle when he tries to control everything in his life. By surrendering to the air, Milkman can just go with it in harmony and let nature play out its course. Wherever the wind takes him is where he will be.
DeleteI really was moved in a sad way by the ending of the book. The moments before Hagar dies made me feel sorry for her. Sure she was homicidal, and consumed by her anaconda love, but just when I start think its a good thing that she finally realizes that "He's never going to like [her] hair", meaning that Milkman and her will never be, I realize that she has basically given up on Milkman, whom to her was the hope of the world (316). I think those kind of situations are the saddest of them all: when people feel like there is nothing they can do to make their life more positive. While Milkman does feel the guilt and responsibility that he should feel over her death, to me it was too little too late to save Hagar.
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ReplyDeleteOn the whole, I am a huge fan of this novel. I find Morrison's writing rich and captivating, and I think it is my favorite book we've read this year. I thought the ending was very appropriate, and that Milkman's "flight" was very fitting. Milkman truly finds himself, and is able to finally recognize his life long dream to ride the air and truly fly. At the beginning of the novel, we learn that once Milkman realizes he can't fly, he looses all interest in himself and the world. But by the end, Milkman has become his own person and has truly found himself, and finally can fly. I thought that Morrison created a really profound image at the end. You don't usually consider someone jumping off a cliff as a heroic act or someone killing his/herself a mark of finally finding an identity. But here, Milkman's flight marks his recognition of himself and his freedom. In this moment where he kills himself, he feels extremely alive. I don't think we are supposed to view Milkman's jump as a suicide as much as a symbolic, courageous surrender to his ancestors, to Pilate and to nature.
ReplyDeleteOriginally when I read the end of the book, I was sure that Milkman jumped off the cliff, killing himself. He offers Guitar his life, saying, "You want my life?...Here" (337). I thought that he meant that he was going to give up his life by jumping off the cliff.
ReplyDeleteLater, I was talking about the end of the book with some people in one of my other classes. One of them pointed out that Morrison never actually says that Milkman jumped off the cliff. I looked back in the book, and it's true. Morrison actually says that Milkman "wheeled toward Guitar" (337). Assuming that Guitar isn't hovering over the edge of the cliff, this could potentially mean that Milkman did not kill himself. Instead, he decided to fight Guitar and possibly escape to live another day.
Does anyone else have any thoughts on this?
I had the same misunderstanding as Amelia at first. And honestly, I don't care for that sentence too much. It seems a bit too cliche to me in the sense that there is a dual meaning to it. Another thing that annoyed me to no end but also somewhat intrigued me is the fact that there is so many play on words in this book. Like the whole bit about "passing" in chapter 12, was it?
ReplyDeleteI also found it a bit rushed about how he seems to realize everything so quickly now. I don't think a person can change or realize things that much more quickly just because they have an epiphany and all that. There seems to be an almost superhuman quality to Milkman to be able to do that. A theme in the book maybe?
I also found it interesting that he isn't refered to as Milkman that frequently in the latter chapters. Could it possibly be people's recognition of his change?
One last thing, he finds out that his grandpa's name is Jake and his family's tradition is to name the male after the grandfather. So does that technically mean that his long lost name is Jake? Like an almost inverse scenario of Malcom X's situation.
This was a phenomenal book. Pilate had always been an intriguing character and she stays that way till the end. After Pilate placed Sing's snuffbox in the hole, "it seemed to Milkman that he heard the shot after she fell" (335). This makes the situation look like Pilate planned this. She seems to have supernatural powers and she knows what is going on around her very well. Like the time when Milkman and Guitar steal her green sack and she knew they were stealing it, she may have sensed that Guitar was there with them. Pilate did say that death is the most unnatural thing on earth and that one chooses when one should die. Maybe she realized that at that moment when she buried her father and brought peace to her parents by burying both of them - her father's bones and her mother's snuffbox so that they will be together - it was time for her to leave as well. Pilate is portrayed as a character with supernatural powers and strength; if she wanted to, I bet she could have dodged the bullet. However, she chooses to die at that moment. She finds peace. I agree with Mike's point about one of the birds (that circle around Milkman) being Pilate. The other bird could be her father and together, they leave. Also she takes the box with her; I take that as Pilate taking her mother as well. That way, her name is forever with her and her father will be reunited with Sing. Pilate's death in a way reveals her human side; we have always seen Pilate as an unnatural woman without a navel with tremendous strength with almost supernatural powers, but her death makes her character more human and personal for everyone.
ReplyDeleteLastly, I saw Milkman's leap as a sacrifice. Adding on to Laura's point about Milkman courageously surrendering himself to his ancestors, Pilate and to nature, he is also doing a final favor for Guitar. In that sense he is not surrendering to Guitar, but he is transcending above him. Perhaps that way, Guitar will finally learn his lesson to not look over death. Guitar has constantly underestimated Milkman and this action may finally hit Guitar that death could be more personal (therefore he should stop killing innocent people).
In the end, Milkman has found gold. He discovers his family history. Since his great grandfather was a slave, tracing his ancestry would have been almost impossible. However, Milkman achieves this and what is more, his family will always be remembered through the children's songs. With lots of people and places named Solomon, his family legacy will continue. With that in mind, Milkman is finally able to get liberated and is able to "ride" the air.
I really enjoyed reading Song of Solomon, and I thought the ending was very fitting and was good closure to the plot and for the characters. I think that my favorite scene was after Milkman came back to Shalimar from Susan Byrd's house, to see Sweet and then go home to Michigan. I thought that this was a great turning point for Milkman in that he finally knows the history of his ancestors, and that he finally feels free, but also connected to his family. Once he knows that his great grandfather could fly, and flew away from basically his life, Milkman feels much more liberated and open, and in a sense flying away from his old, closed in self, which he proves by saying, "'Bath! You think I'd put myself in that tight little porcelain box? I need the sea! The whole goddamn sea!'" (326)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Laura that the fact that Milkman may have died in the end by jumping off the cliff with Guitar shows a sacrifice for his ancestors and nature, and it also symbolizes his change as a character. He is no longer selfish and conceded, "Without wiping away the tears, taking a deep breath, or even bending his knees--he leaped", this shows that he isn't concerned with himself and small details when taking an action, but instead just doing it; just sacrificing himself for what he believes in.
Overall, I really liked the novel. I thought it was symbolic and spiritual in a way that I have not read in other books. I was very confused by the ending, but in the end, again, it was a good one. I thought it was very interesting that Guitar would be looking for Milkman in the intent to kill him. I feel that Guitar symbolizes Milkman's past which holds him back from discovering Milkman's true personality. Milkman's growth beginning is amazing that such an impulsive child can grow in to somebody who truly cherishes his family. His search for gold turned into one of his family and one of the people who he truly resented, Pilate, became somebody he respected. I liked the end of the story, as it symbolizes Milkman's last obstacle to achieving his true personality.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this book. I thought the ending was great, though a bit confusing. Guitar and Milkman have a strange relationship. It was really interesting to follow it and even at the end I still believe that Guitar considers Milkman as a friend. Milkman realizes this and there is one point where he says that if Guitar was asked if he would save or kill Milkman, he could say yes to both. I just found that part to be pretty interesting since Milkman and Guitar have had so many ups and downs. I kind of agree with what Mike said about the birds symbolizing the ancestors of Milkman. The ending of the book is just so filled with final "statements" from the characters in it. I think that it was a really amazing book.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this book! At first I was not a fan due to the unrelatable characters and strange plot, but I loved how everything came together in the last few chapters. It was also really interesting to see Milkman transform from a spoiled jerk to a nice and empowered gentleman. I thought the ending really captured the final product of his long journey of self discovery: He is finally able to fly and confident in his ability to do so because he now knows exactly who he is and what he wants to live for. Although it is unclear what exactly happens in the end, (does he die or does he kill Guitar?) but it seems that Morrison wants the outcome to be unknown as it is not the most important thing. The most important thing is that Milkman finally knows himself and is willing to sacrifice his life, because regardless of whether he dies, his family and his name will live on. I also liked how the ending compared with the beginning. Both scenes dealt with flight, but while the jump from Mr. Smith was a failure, there is a strong feeling of success regarding Milkman's flight.
ReplyDeleteI liked reading this book, but Im not sure how I feel about the book as a whole. Initially, I didn't like that one of the birds swoops in to steal the box Pilate placed so solemnly in the grave. It seems really sad to me that Pilate's last act would be so trivially reversed, but I do like the possible interpretation of the birds as being Solomon (Jake). I also resent the fact that Hagar dies before Milkman has a chance to do right by her, and show her his newfound respect.
DeleteAlso, I never thought Milkman died at the end. I agree with Jessica that there is a very positive feeling to Milkman's jump. Just as we are supposed to interpret Solomon's flight as potentially being literal (that he Actually flies) I think maybe Morrison wants us to think Milkman actually flies. Also, G + M are not standing on a cliff. Solomon's Leap has "two outcroppings of rock" (335), one that Pilate and Milkman stand on, and one that Guitar shoots from. So I interpreted the leap as M. flying from one outcropping to another.
I liked reading this book. I think the ending was really good and Milkman makes the final step towards the end of his selfishness. Morrison doesn't tell us if he or Guitar dies, and it "did not matter which one of them would give up his ghost in the killing arms of his brother." (337) The jump is more about Milkman not only acting out of his own self interest, and sacrifices himself. I also really liked that after Pilate died, a bird came down and "scooped something shiny in its beak before it flew away" (336) as it was clear that it was her earring with her name in it. It suggests that even if though she died, her name will live on, which is something that gives Milkman strength and allows him to be willing to risk himself to take out Guitar.
ReplyDeleteI liked the idea of the book moreso than the actually book, I thought that at points it was a really hard read and kind of boring at times. But I think the ideas/themes Toni Morrison is tackling were interesting and fun to read. I liked how at the end of the book everything links together, but Morrison also leaves a lot of it open ended. Not knowing what exactly happens to Guitar and Milkman. So, i guess, overall I did like the book It was fun reading from the point of view of an affluent African American at that time and seeing the troubles they faced.
ReplyDeleteThe Song of Solomon to me was a special book, though not the best I've read. The novel really hit home for me the plight of a man lost in a world where he has everything, a man most wouldn't pity. Milkman strove in the final chapters to get that thing he had always wanted, that thing that none of his money could buy, the story behind his family and what happened to make his family like what it is. This entire novel has been Milkman's path to understanding the pasts of people near and dear to him: Ruth and her father, Macon II and Pilate's upbringing, Lena and Corinthians marital issues..., and in understanding these pasts Milkman is then able to understand more about himself and how he fits into the grand scheme of things. Overall I liked how Milkman grew as a person in his understanding of himself and I also enjoyed his and Macon II's character development, however the odd language and cryptic messages confused me too much for me to really take in many of the novel's messages.
ReplyDeleteIn the final chapters, the book went through a revolution with me. I really did not enjoy reading it up until part two. I found it to be very strange and i had trouble relating to the characters. Once we got to the quest, however, i really got sucked in. Milkman went through a similar revolution as well, which i think is the reason i began to enjoy it more. At first, he is a very unsympathetic character who does not seem worthy even of his own respect. However, his whole search in these chapters opens the reader's eyes to milkman's more likeable traits. He carries on more wholesome activities, such as hunting with friends that enjoy hanging out with him, and he has a more normal relationship with a woman that he respects. I saw a turning point in milkman's humility when he is involved in the altercation at the store. While he is usually the aggressor in conflict (ex Hagar), he is trying to figure things out, and is misunderstood and attacked. From this point on, he begins to realize that this is not michigan anymore. I wondered why Morrison included the character of Guitar. Earlier, i think he represented the black power movement, and his inclusion showed the frayed relationship between that movement and mainstream black society. At the end of the book, he has lost touch with his values, it seems, and he becomes obsessed with stopping and killing Milkman, even when milkman does not have the gold. I don't understand why Morrison put him on Milkman's heels, or why he shot at milkman and Pilate. I found the entire ending scene perplexing. Perhaps Morrison wants Guitar and the Seven Days to be an example of fanatical behavior taken too far. I also found Milkman's suicide very odd. I understand the image of him attempting to fly off like solomon, but he seems too much of a realist to attempt this for real. I feel that morrison could have done better with the final scene.
ReplyDeleteFrom Kaitlyn:
ReplyDeleteOverall, I really liked the book. The ending was sort of sad; unfortunately Pilate dies because Guitar shot her, not sure if it was a mistake or not, but he was also probably trying to kill Milkman too. I agree with Lisa, Milkman finally has a sense of himself and he’s free. Milkman seemed lost because there was a disconnection with his family and always wondered why he couldn’t fly. Up until the end, Milkman slowly had to piece his story together. While he was finding himself, it freed him and he realizes a lot of things such as what it does to take to fly or what family means to him. I think Morrison’s final messages is that in order to do things, you must sacrifice a lot but you also need to have a sense of who you are as a person. Also I think Morrison makes a point or shows that family stories can be really powerful and eye-opening. Milkman’s story seems really mystical, Solomon could fly, and in the end Milkman seemed to fly as well. Also, this story changed his life. In chapter 14, it seems that Grace also has a knack for telling stories, and perhaps exaggerates or adds in little white lies to make it seem important, so perhaps stories can do a lot for people, especially if it concerns family history. Finally, it seems kind of cool that it started out with the flight of a man who was committing suicide from the top of a building and it seems to end with the flight of Milkman.
I really enjoyed Song of Solomon. The book shows a complete transformation of a person. Morrison showcased Milkman character in so many different ways. I found that the book ended in a perfect way. From the readers perspective, seeing Milkman grow up and expirence life was awesome. Milkman's suicide was fitting. The book started with a end of life and it ended with an end of a life. Milkman eventually became all of the positive connotations of a Milkman. He became selfless and put others before himself. Milkman's caring nature can be seen through his actions in the last couple of chapters. Milk is white and pure, which is what Milkman became at the end of the book.
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