Song of Solomon Precis
Shared Racial Oppression.
In the novel Song of Solomon(1977), Toni Morrison conveys a deep conflict among the two dominant factions of race and how the act of justice drives people to rationalize the most horrific mistreatment. Morrison uses both instances of race to exemplify the cyclical routine of action versus retaliation (the importance of balance) and it's contorted use on it's justification (loving their race). By creating a harsh, crude, and dependent relationship between the two races, Morrison conveys a cat-mouse game between the two in order to suggest a continuing cycle of retaliation that can only be stopped by an end of action. Although this novel portrays and is viewed in a black man's perspective, this novel also caters to a unbiased audience where race is not the audience but a shared emotion of oppression amongst the readers.
Precis #3
No turning back...
In the novel ,Song of Solomon, Toni Morrison, nationally acclaimed writer, editor, and professor, reveals that Milkman has reached a new turning point within his process of "giv[ing] up the sh*t that weighs [him] down" (Morrison 179) in which he finds himself without "all he had started out with on his journey" (Morrison 277) and therefore creates a rift between his previous mindset , that had a "concentration on things behind him" (Morrison 35) and was filled with obstacles hindering his growth, character, and direction and his enlightened stage which is stripped of many of the physical and mental impediments he had originally started off with in the beginning of his journey, by having Milkman turning the shotgun "backwards as far as he could" (Morrison 279) into his past and obliterating it. Morrison conveys this idea by enlightening the idea of the inability of flight with the presence of dependency (his father, Guitar, Pilate) , vanity, and wealth and by contrasting this idea with the changed image of the reborn Milkman that no longer serves as an extension of another's being but standing grounded as his own entity. By creating a dichotomy within this journey, Morrison reveals a new reborn Milkman in order to exemplify the effect of shedding one's hindrances and therefore allowing the opportunity of 'flight' to commence instead of a dwelling on the past. Although the novel is viewed in the perspective of a upper class black male, this aspect of change and growth in a liberating and emancipating tone, appeals to all people and therefore provides all with a example of a releasing transformation.
Precis #4
Time heals.
In the novel, Song of Solomon(1977) , Toni Morrison, nationally acclaimed writer, suggests that time helps gauge the progress of Milkman's journey in that without the presence of time (past,present, future) there is no plausible way to determine his progression, which is only possible when he is in tune and aware of his past mistakes and weak identity, present struggles and determination, and future goals; Morrison shows Milkman progressing according to the time structure and not blindly looking back but having moments of introspection where he looks at the pain he had once afflicted yet still "eager and happy" (Morrison 304) to the furthering of his freedom. Morrison creates this importance of time by juxtaposing a past Milkman to the present Milkman and creates a dichotomy, one that Milkman is fully aware of, in which the reader is able to compare the major works of mindset, gratitude, and sympathy as well as the minor works of tone, relationships, and comfort which shows that without time and a keen sense of his past, Milkman will not be able to transition into flight. By creating this time lapse, Morrison is able to show an importance not only on Milkman's aspirations but create a deep understanding of his past in order to physically and mentally show the shedding of his worldly skin and in that gain knowledge by "taking a rock" (Morrison 329) or piece of information everywhere he has been so that he may be able to pave a way to his future freedom. Morrison writes to a predominantly black culture however, the overall tone is not condescending but hopeful, fearless, and understanding which makes this piece a novel that all people can read and hope for their own personal revelation.