How does the past connect to the present?
The story in Toni Morison’s famous novel Song of Solomon documents events spanning approximately a hundred years of black history, with particular focus on the history of three generations of the Dead’s family. The novel revolves around the life of protagonist Milkman, from the time of his birth to around age 32. The story captures such significant events in African-American history as the Harlem Renaissance (1917-1935) as well as the Civil Rights Movement (1955-1970s) (Bloom & Hobby 205). In the novel, the author argues to the effect that understanding the past is necessary for an individual to discover their true identity. Through the tales of the lives of such characters as Milkman and Guitar, the author underscores the significance of knowing and getting in touch with one’s roots. Morison’s Song of Solomon espouses the importance of the past to the present by addressing the value of black heritage, emphasizing that one’s family and history are highly necessary for an enlightened existence.
As young Milkman embarks on a journey to discover his inheritance, he becomes increasingly aware of his estrangement as well as alienation from his cultural roots. The detachment from his past causes Milkman serious relational problems with others. Prior to his journey, Milkman is a self-centered and uncaring young man, leaving him isolated from both his white and black peers and feeling inherently discomforted and unfulfilled (Bloom & Hobby 206). His depressed and introspective behavior negatively affects his relationships others, including his best friend Guitar. Morison posits that it is only through this journey that the protagonist is able to unlock his past and indeed his identity, leading a genuine understanding of self (Bloom & Hobby 206). This is made possible through his participation in the initiation rituals enforced on him by men of Shalimar, and by listening to children’s singing of Solomon’s song, and by freeing himself from the mental bondage that shaped his distorted sense of the white, capital values preached by his father. Milkman is able to learn the meaning of love together with the essence of history and tradition.
The importance of the past as relates to the present is also well expressed in Morison’s Song of Solomon through references to notable historic events in black history during the 20th century. The year 1931 is of significant reference as it marks the highpoint of the Harlem Renaissance, which was a literary movement termed as the golden age in the United States for black art. In addition, it represents the awakening of the “New Negro”, which was an articulate, complex bourgeois class of intellectual African-American engaged in both cultural and aesthetic pursuits (Bloom & Hobby 207). At this point in history, the blacks had the belief that their advancement in the literary and artistic fronts would help elevate their not only their social but also political standing in the American society by articulating to their white counterparts that Negroes are indeed not inferior human beings as widely conceived. The year 1963 also stands out as a historic moment in black history as articulated in Morison’s novel. It marked the 100th year of black emancipation as well as the start of the Black Revolution or the black Civil Rights Movement (Bloom & Hobby 207).
Similarly, Robert Smith’s past in the city is only represented by the lack of it, which underscores the argument that one lacks an identity with a knowledge of their past or history. The novel further stresses on the importance of the past to the present in its introduction of other characters. For instance, the author demonstrates the important place of the past by painting the differences between Pilate (Milkman’s aunt) on the one hand, and Macon Dead Jr. (Milkman’s father). Pilate is largely an earthly, open and bubbly woman who is proud of her past, culture, and identity. On the other hand, Macon Jr. embraces white, capital values and thus craves for wealth and prestige. In this regard, Milkman’s father is a representation of individuals not concerned with ancestral heritage or those who fail to acknowledge and embrace their past along with racial identity, leaving them lost and confused (Bloom & Hobby 212). Due to his father’s rejection of the past, Milkman’s desire to understand his past is significantly curtailed.
However, while Macon Jr. has a dislike for his slavery past, it is still in their present. This past eventually becomes a positive element that takes shape during Milkman’s journey to the homeland of his ancestors. He realizes that his ancestral past is not one of exclusion unlike the case of his immediate family which has an alienated, isolated and fabricated past characterized by their present location in Detroit (Bloom & Hobby 214). This past is considerably different that of their ancestors which makes young Milkman’s detachment from his black culture to be apparent in his hollow and daily routine due to his struggle to adopt white, bourgeois, urban values endorsed to him by his parents. Conversely, Guitar (a black boy of the lower class) is well entrenched in his black community as he knows his family as well as where they came from. He understands that he is a result of the northern migration and know both the north and the south. He fully appreciates his past, and this appreciation evokes in him a desire to protect his protect his Negro community from the adversary. This is evident in his words to Milkman: “What I’m doing ain’t about hating white people. It’s about loving us. About loving you. My whole life is love” (Bloom & Hobby 222).
Conclusion
The author addresses himself to the significance of history by presenting to the reader the life story of Milkman, which can be taken a microcosm of a larger piece of black experience in the United States. The story evokes in the reader imaginations of what life was like as a young African-American living in the white male-dominated American society. The history in the novel makes the reader appreciate the fact that while society may create seemingly insurmountable obstacles (in this case racism), it is always within the oppressed to overcome such obstacles and build full, meaningful lives for themselves through the naturally-endowed skills and talents. Furthermore, the account in Morison’s Song of Solomon makes it clear to the reader that how an individual perceives himself/herself is often more crucial as compared to how other people view him/her. As Milkman, therefore, it is important for one to see themselves as part of a larger community and recognize they have the power to choose their response to any given situation empowers them to transcend boundaries and overcome great challenges in life. In the end, Milkman is able to recover from the dysfunction brought about the detachment from his past by learning of the true history of his African-American family.
Work cited:
Bloom, Harold, and Blake Hobby. The American Dream. New York, NY: Bloom’s Literary Criticism, 2009.
