Reflective Blog for Chapters 1-2

The first thing about the Song of Solomon that caught my attention is on the very first page. It tells about how a certain Mr. Smith was planing on taking a flight on a Wednesday. The first thing that came to my mind was airplanes, until I read the next paragraph that was a letter that he tacked on his door states that he would be taking of with his own wings. His OWN wings? How could that be? It was quite an interesting thing to picture, especially as they were described as blue silk. The first few pages used excellent imagery. I liked picturing Mr. Smiths blue silk wings and also the red velvet rose petals that were blowing in the air. the whole tone, for the most part, seems quite happy. I was sure that this was the first hint of magical realism but it turns out that his wings are fake and he ends up falling to his death. Well i guess it still could be an example of magical realism because it is not everyday that a man tries to jump of a building with his own wings. So much for the happy tone.


I am still not quite sure about the significance of the title of the book "Song of Solomon" Although, I do know that there is a book in the bible called the Song of Solomon. There are quite a few names in the novel that have biblical meaning. Ruth. Hagar. Magdalene. First Corinthians. Pilate. I wonder if the character personalities reflect those of the biblical figures.


While on the subject of names, they seem to have a great importance in the book. It seems that there are alot of characters and places that go by names that are not their given. Mercy Hospital is known as no Mercy Hospital. Main street is known as No Doctor street. The little boy born on the day of the misfourtanate death of Mr. Smith is known as Milkman, much to the dismay of his father, Macon Dead. Macon Dead ,is in a way, obsessed with names because his own name was changed because of a quite stupid incident. I think it is interesting that his last name is Dead because he is, in a way, spiritually and emotionally dead. The subject of names make me think of someones personal identity. So, because names seem to so important I am led to believe that this book is most likely about self discovery.


I find it sad that Ruth Dead feels like she has to breast feed her son for so long because her husband wont give her the attention that she needs. I think it is her way of substituting the love of her husband. Macon Dead makes me upset because he pays so little attention to his wife. When she was talking about her flower arrangement he totally ignored her and made a rude comment about her chicken. I think that the water spot on her table that she can not get rid of no matter how hard she tries symbolizes the distanced relationship between her and her husband. No matter how hard she tries the gap is still there so the beat she can do is mask it with flowers.

I can tell that there is going to be quite an interesting scene with Pilate an d Milkman and Macon. Macon pretty much forbids Milkman to see Pilate, but Milkman is in love with her granddaughter. I sense a little bit of Romeo and Juliet coming on.

So far I like this book even though it is a little confusing. I am anxious to read more so I can find out where all the magical realism comes into play. I also am curious about the title of the book. Oh, and i really want to know if anyone else tries to fly and if they succeed.