What does the water mark represent in Song of Solomon?
Symbolic of the darkness and death that eats away at the Dead household, the watermark reminds Ruth of her father’s death, and is the product of having left her seaweed and driftwood centerpiece to rot and decay on the dining room table at the time of his death.
What is the significance of the ginger smell in Song of Solomon?
That the “spice-sweet” smell of ginger is strongest in the Southside neighborhood suggests that Southside residents are more closely connected to their African roots than blacks living closer to white neighborhoods.
What is the metaphorical significance of the watermark on Ruth and Macon dining table?
Ruth depends on external cues — for example, the watermark on her mahogany table — to confirm and validate her fragmented existence as both “the keeper of the lighthouse and the prisoner.” However, in her fantasy, she relies on internal cues and sees herself as a divine female endowed with the power of creation.
Who is speaking in Song of Solomon Chapter 2?
The second chapter of the Song of Solomon quickly reveals that the woman is still the main speaker. She left off speaking in chapter 1, and her voice begins chapter 2.
How is Song of Solomon magical realism?
Morrison’s novel belongs to the genre of magical realism because in it human flight is both possible and natural. For the long period of time during which Milkman doubts the possibility of human flight, he remains abnormal in the eyes of his community.
Who is First Corinthians in Song of Solomon?
First Corinthians Dead Ruth and Macon’s youngest daughter. A well-educated young woman, Corinthians adopts her father’s materialistic values; eventually, however, she escapes her empty life when she finds a job, takes a lover, and leaves home.
Why is Song of Solomon called Song of Solomon?
Song of Solomon’s title refers to the biblical book of the same name, emphasizing that the novel adresses age-old themes. The biblical book depicts a conversation between two lovers, King Solomon and his beautiful, black Shulamite bride. Similarly, Morrison’s novel is a celebration of the triumph of earthly love.
What is the main theme of Song of Solomon?
Themes in Song of Solomon It explores the complexities of home, the power of kin to both uplift and suppress, as well as transform and deform. The novel’s themes include the complexity of family, the reality of human frailty (especially when money comes into play), and the legacy of slavery in America.
How do members of the Dead family receive their names Song of Solomon?
He’s named after his grandfather, who was accidentally given the name “Dead” by the Freedman’s bureau. By carrying the name “Dead,” Milkman feels that he’s been condemned to live the same life that his father and grandfather lived, working at the family business, living in the same town, etc.
What does the first chapter of Song of Solomon mean?
Chapter 1 of the song begins with the title “She” over the first stanza, to indicate that the initial lines are spoken by the woman in this relationship. The song begins with the female speaker expressing her longing for a passionate kiss from the one she loves.