ipl-logo

Song Of Solomon Chapter 1 Analysis

669 Words3 Pages

2. The chapter I read was the second chapter, which starts with the author; Solomon Northup meeting two strangers near a tavern beside Broadway. Their names are supposedly Merrill Brown and Abram Hamilton. They claim to be interested in Solomon’s expertise in playing the violin; which they promptly begin to discuss. Brown’s described as around 40 years old and short while Hamilton is tall, skinny and looked no older than 25. Soon after, they request the services of Solomon and inform him that they are associated with a circus company that was currently in Washington. Preparing to return to the circus, the duo mention encountering difficulty in acquiring music for their acts. Offering Solomon a generous wage if he accompanies them and plays …show more content…

Although the chapter mainly focuses on Solomon Northup’s journey to Washington and kidnapping, Solomon’s actions and thoughts reveal a lot about him. An example is how the chapter conveys how innocent and optimistic he is and how he tries to see the best in people. Despite only seeing one performance from Merrill Brown to a scattered crowd, and never seeing the circus, Solomon still believes Brown and Hamilton to be who they say they are. His desire to find “present employment until the busy season should arrive” also shows his work ethic and what a hard worker he is. In addition, throughout the chapter, Solomon exhibits behaviour that reveals how observant he is. For example, he notes how sparse the crowd is for Brown’s only performance. Also, he noticed that there was still no sign of the circus when the men arrived at Washington. Finally, Solomon dwells on the past and comments every so often in the chapter. From this we see how these events have affected him. For instance, his justified hatred towards his kidnappers is evident as he ponders to if Brown and Hamilton played a part in his capture. Also, it seems that he has become more wary and suspicious of others due to Brown and Hamilton’s seemingly fabricated

Show More
Related

  • Chapter Summary: Guitar's Song Of Solomon

    569 Words  | 3 Pages

    In chapter six of Song of Solomon we learn about Guitar’s secret murder organization named “Seven Days” where there are a total of seven people, and each one murders a white man for a specific day of the week. Whist explaining to Milkman about this group he is apart of, we learn a lot about Guitar and his seemingly crazy thoughts process on society. It is made clear in chapter six that Guitar is not one to submit to conventional thinking. We learn about his ability murder a random stranger. Though Guitar says that he is scared and does not necessarily enjoy murdering, its the fact that he still goes through with it which makes raises some flags.

    Read More

  • Song Of Solomon Identity Analysis

    818 Words  | 4 Pages

    In Song of Solomon, written by Toni Morrison, deep concern for not only the existence and development of the black community is shown, but also for human beings in general. Questions such as “Why and how are individuals isolated from society?” , “What voice is created in isolation?”, and even “How does an individual resolve conflict between personal ethics and social morality?” strictly apply to Song of Solomon. Milkman, the protagonist, embarks on an unwitting search for his roots and ties to the black community, all while feeling isolated from society.

    Read More

  • Theme Of First Corinthians In Song Of Solomon

    255 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the novel, “Song of Solomon”, one of the older sisters of the main character is named First Corinthians. She got her name by her father pointing at a random word in the bible. First Corinthians in the bible is a letter from Paul explaining the resurrection of Jesus to the people. Her full name is actually quite ironic in this instance as her last name is Dead but the actual biblical First Corinthians is about the resurrection or coming back to life of Jesus Christ. The religious implications of her name, however, don’t seem to have any effect on her character.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Toni Morrison's Song Of Solomon

    1800 Words  | 8 Pages

    The desire to escape can be overwhelming. Such desires are present in the common African American folklore about “the flying Africans”, where a select few enslaved Africans are able to escape from slavery through their ability to fly. Escapist desires such as those are also present in Toni Morrison’s novel, Song of Solomon. Morrison’s, Song of Solomon, follows the path of one such family of “flying Africans” as they discover their family history and their abilities of flight. She utilizes the motif of flight to prove man’s escapist desires in regards to the avoidance of responsibility, abandonment of women and freedom from burdens of racial inequality.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Flight In Song Of Solomon

    800 Words  | 4 Pages

    In Song Of Solomon by Toni Morrison, the setting takes place near Lake Superior in Detroit, Michigan around the black community. The story revolves around the character Milkman who is born in a wealthy colored family. The motif of flight plays a significant role in Milkman’s action in his journey. The motif flight represents escape from one's life burdens, freedom and life. Throughout Milkman’s journey to become more independent, and learn his family history.

    Read More

  • Self-Identity In Toni Morrison's Song Of Solomon

    866 Words  | 4 Pages

    Toni Morrison’s novel Song of Solomon is an examination on the importance of self-identity in African-American society and the effects of a name. Names and labels are used to describe and symbolize people, places, and things, serving as a brief definition of the subject. Toni Morrison uses this definition in order to analyze the effects redefining or naming had on African Americans heritage and culture after their emancipation. Throughout the story, the central protagonist Macon Dead III or Milkman, searches his family’s history to reclaim his past and recreate himself. America’s history of slavery and it’s lasting effects have allowed African-American society and cultural identity to be dictated by the white majority.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Django Unchained And 12 Years A Slave

    1489 Words  | 6 Pages

    It tells the tale of Solomon Northup, a free black man living in New York. Solomon is abducted and spends the next 12 years working as a slave. In this essay I will be talking about the similarities and differences between the text, as well as the significance of the text, the audience, purpose and stylistic and formal features (filmic devices). First of all, the similarities between the two films. There are a number of components that are similar.

    Read More

  • Song Of Solomon Milkman's Journey

    500 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the Toni Morrison’s critically-claimed novel, Song of Solomon, the protagonist, Milkman, goes on a journey to uncover his “people.” Macon, Milkman, Dead III has no identity, ambition, or passion for he is lost and has no idea who he is or what he wants. As Milkman discovers his family’s mysterious and largely unknown past, Milkman discovers something much more: himself. Only through his investigation into his father’s family does Milkman finally find his lost identity.

    Read More

  • Symbolism Of Home In Song Of Solomon

    1043 Words  | 5 Pages

    Toni Morrison’s novel Song of Solomon tells the story of Macon “Milkman” Dead, a character completely alienated from his community, his family and his heritage. The readers follow his journey, during which he attempts to find his “inheritance” of gold that his father, Macon Dead, believes was hidden by Pilate Dead. Instead, he travels to the fictional town of Shalimar where his family line began in America in order to fully understand the cultural heritage that has been left for him - in the process experiencing an understanding of the word home. Home is often represented by the motif of cherries, which different people in Milkman’s immediate family - eventually including Milkman encounter throughout the book. Even though these events are

    Read More

  • Biblical Allusions In Toni Morrison's Song Of Solomon

    1876 Words  | 8 Pages

    Toni Morrison frequently incorporates her familial background into her literary works. She is an African-American female author who was told African myths and folktales by her family members, who she credits for “instilling in her a love of reading, music and folklore” (“Toni Morrison”). Morrison is fully in touch with and appreciative of her ancestral background, and because of this, she reiterates these tales in her writings. In Song of Solomon, Morrison employs a wide variety of African cultural traditions and folklores to create a unique narrative regarding an African-American man’s quest for self-discovery and his true cultural identity, one that is absent from his current community. One of the most prominent African myths discussed

    Read More

  • Disparity In Toni Morrison's Song Of Solomon

    700 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the novel “Song of Solomon,” Morrison tackles many aspects of racial disparity by relating events in the novel to occurrences in history. A few parallels can be seen within Guitar’s and Milkman’s discussion in chapter six. In their discussion, Milkman recently discovers Guitar’s involvement in a radical group called “The Seven Days.” The group’s purpose is to seek vengeance for unjust, violent acts carried out by whites. Additional, parallels can be made between Guitar and the radical civil rights activist Malcolm-X.

    Read More

  • The Racial Lens In Toni Morrison's Song Of Solomon

    593 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the book Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, the book is a very good representation of the racial lens. The racial lens is a lens that has to deal with with racial slurs or sequences the character in the book encounter. Milkman is Guitar's best friend, and due to the fact that Milkman was always wealthy from birth and he lived on the other side of town, Milkman does not understand how someone could be so radicalized as Guitar is. Throughout the book, we can see how Guitar was always passionate about his race since his childhood, and how what white people have done has really affected him life. When Guitar’s father died in a brutal accident at his father’s work place, a white man came to tell him and his family and offered Guitar candy for his father's death.

    Read More

  • Essay On Milkman's Journey In Song Of Solomon

    1227 Words  | 5 Pages

    Throughout literature, most novels incorporate an adventure and an exploration theme about the hero journeying to find their path. In the novel Song of Solomon, by Toni Morrison, it begins depicting Milkman as a feeble dependent character that relies on his friends and family for all of his needs. However, as the novel progresses the view of Milkman develops into an independent figure through a journey. Milkman’s personality and mindset shift as the purpose of the journey diverts away from gold and greed. He comes to realize what’s important in the world and begins exploring what really matters; his race, family’s homes, and identity in the world.

    Read More

  • Identity In Song Of Solomon

    1672 Words  | 7 Pages

    In Song of Solomon, Morrison illustrates internalized racism through appearance, self-worth and love as important components of self-identity. The book Song of Solomon by Tori Morrison is about African Americans who search for their cultural identity. One of the main characters, Macon “Milkman” Dead is isolated from his family, his community, and his historical and cultural roots. His aunt, Pilate and his best friend, Guitar helps on his physical and spiritual journey to reconnect with his past and realize his self-worth. However, he is not the only character who has a hard time coping with her appearance and identity.

    Read More

  • The Jungle Critical Analysis

    1202 Words  | 5 Pages

    They take you on a journey full of dream-crushing brutality and deception of what seems to be the ideal place to work and built a life. They settle near the stockyards and meatpacking district, where Jurgis finds his first job at Brown’s slaughterhouse. Jurgis, thinking the U.S. offered more freedom, finds that the working conditions there are very

    Read More

More about Song Of Solomon Chapter 1 Analysis

Open Document