Chapter 15
The last and final chapter of S.O.S brings the character focus back to Milkman. He just got back to shalimar upon finally hearing the story of his family. He is delighted beyond measure and goes swimming in the local quarry with Sweet. Milkman finally decides to return to his real home to share the news with his family. As he is riding home he reflects on the names of all of the people that he has met and thier great importance. He is exeedingly delighted about all of his discoveries, but despite this he still is somewhat fearful cause he knows that Guitar is still out to get him. He decides to visit Pilate first and who knocks him over the head with a wine bottle upon entering her house. When he wakes up he realizes the Hagar must have died and started wondering what Pilate was going to do to him. He knew that Pilates way of punishing someone who kills someone is to make th eperson live with it. He has an epiphany that the body she is carrying in the green sack is indeed not the white guys but actually her fathers and that she needs to bury him on Solomons leap. she is completly surprisec by this. She gives Milkman a box of Hagars hair to carry with him. When Milkman arrives home he finds that Lena still is holding a grudge against him but is being "civil". It is found out that First corinthians is now living with Porter and that nothing has changed between Macon and Ruth. Macon decides that he will probably make a trip back to his home town and seems happy that his father is finally going to get buried. Milkman goes back to shalimar with Pilate, who blends in like "a stick of butter in a churn". together they bury Jakes bones and Hagars hair. Pilate rips out her earing and places it in the grave. guitar shows up somewhere and shoots her. Before she dies she expresses how she wishes she knew more people cause she would have loved them all. Milkman sings her the song about sugarman but replace the word sugar man for sugar girl. He stands up and starts yelling for guitar then jumps of the cliff towards him because he knows that "If you surrendered to the air you could ride it"
Theme-
Flight- flight in this book symbolizes freedom and peace but to aquire these things you must put all of the petty and selfish things in you life aside. In milkmans case he was finally able to fly when he was able to come to a realization about himself through his ancestory.
Names- this book gives a message about the importance of names and how they can define a persons character.
Quotes-
"without ever leaving the ground she could fly" pg. 340
"If you surrendured to the air you could ride it." Pg. 341
I love this quote. It made me realize that the flying in this book was not necasarrily physical but more spirtitual and that you can not really live until you surrender your self to life.
Character Analysis-
Milkman-
throughout the book milkman has struggled with meany things and it is in this chapterthat he finally was able to turn his life around. He was killed by guitar.
Guitar- Killed Pilate and Milkman.
Pilate- In this chapter Pilate too fianally finds out the truth about her family and is able to bury her father. It is amde known that she wishes she knew more people because she would have loved them all.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Reflective blog for chapters 13 and 14
Chapter thirteen makes me Sad. I think it is Crazy how Hagar depended on the love of Milkman so Much that it pretty much ended up causing her death. I think her story is the same thing that happens all of the time. I think it is especially a problem with girls my age. If only people would realize that there worth is not based on how much attention a certain boy or girl gives them.
The love that Pilate and Reba have for Hagar is really Highlighted in Ch. 13. They do every thing that they know how to do to make her happy, but nothing works. Reba even sells her ring for a price significantly less then what it is worth. I think that could signifies how Hagar allows herself to be bought for a price much less then she is worth. Hagar ends up blowing the money which a gain I find sad. Pretty much as you can tell I just think that chapter thirteen was really sad and I just feel really bad for Hagar.
Milkman makes me nadder then ever just because Hagar died and she didnt really need too. I was happy that I finally found out about his family and I find the whole story really intereting. when I was reading Chapter 12 I didnt realize that Grace was a huge gossip and I thought that she might know something about his family. I had to laugh when I realized it was just the oppisite.
Just one more chapter to go.....
The love that Pilate and Reba have for Hagar is really Highlighted in Ch. 13. They do every thing that they know how to do to make her happy, but nothing works. Reba even sells her ring for a price significantly less then what it is worth. I think that could signifies how Hagar allows herself to be bought for a price much less then she is worth. Hagar ends up blowing the money which a gain I find sad. Pretty much as you can tell I just think that chapter thirteen was really sad and I just feel really bad for Hagar.
Milkman makes me nadder then ever just because Hagar died and she didnt really need too. I was happy that I finally found out about his family and I find the whole story really intereting. when I was reading Chapter 12 I didnt realize that Grace was a huge gossip and I thought that she might know something about his family. I had to laugh when I realized it was just the oppisite.
Just one more chapter to go.....
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Proof that I Activley Read chapters 13 and 14
Chapter 13 summary:
In chapter thirteen the character focus brings you back to Hagar who is having an extremely difficult time. When Guitar gets back to his house he finds her standing in his house, just standing there, silent. He picks her up to take her home and could not help but feel sorry for her so he tries to console her. He tells that she can not let her whole life be defined by the love of a man because she is worth more then that. Hagar doesn't respond to anything that he says, she just continues to sit there. Once she is back at her house Pilate and Reba don't know what to do for her except give her their love. They tried to please her buy giving her various different things that girls like. For the first time in her life Reba actually tried to win things but oddly enough it was the first time in her life that she couldnt win anything. Nothing they brought to her lifted her spirits the least bit. One gift that Pilate and Reba got her was a small mirror. When she saw her reflection she went crazy with the thought that the reason Milkman didnt love her was because of what she saw staring back at her in the mirror. She then insists that she needs to improve her appearence and that she needs new clothes. Reba goes and pawns her 2000 dollar diamand ring for 200 dollars and combines the money with the seventy five cents that they had already been saving. Hagar takes the money and goes shopping for clothes and such. On her way home she gets caught in a rainstorm and her bags rip open sending all of her items rolling in the mud. She goes home in a devastating state and dies never getting the love she craved so badly. Reba gets Macon to give her forty dollars for the funeral where her and Pilate sing a song called Mercy. Pilate then sings the song she used to sing to Hagar when she was young, at the end she shouts with vigor "and she was loved!"
Chapter 14 Summary-
In this chapter the character focus is once again switched, this time to Milkman. He goes back to Susan Byrds house who explains that she couldnt tell him the whole story of his family in the presence of Grace. she recounts to him the story of Solomon her supossedly flew back to africa and tried to take his youngest son Jake with him but dropped him. The boy was luckily caught in the arms of Heddy (Singing Birds mother) and was raised by her. Jake eventually ran away with Singing Bird. Ryna was Solomons wife and she mourned for days, which are the cries that can supossodley still be heard in Rynas Gulch. Milkman thinks about asking to see a picture of sing or even Heddy but decides that the knowledge is enough.
Theme- In chapter thirteen the theme that is higlighted the most is the importance of knowing who you are so that you dont need to rely on others to confirm your worth. chapter 14 is about how you can find out about your self by finding your ancestreal history.
Magical Realism- There is not very much magical realism in chapter thirteen. The fact that Reba couldnt win anything was interesting but i wonder if that would be considered magical realism because most people cant win stuff easily any ways. There is magical realism in chapter 14 because it tells alot about how Solomon flew away to Africa.
Characters-
Hagar- She becomes distraught with grief because she belives that Milkman doesnt love her because she is not pretty enough. She ends up dying pretty much froma broken heart.
Milkman- He finally Finds out about his family but his neglect to Hagar causes her death.
Guitar- Give Hagar some advice.
Reba- She loses her knack for winning things in chapter thirteen just as she actually wants to win something. She pawns her diamond ring so Hagar can go shopping for things to make her feel better.
Pilate- Pilate is extremely grivous over the death of Hagar.
Susan Byrd- She comfirms all of Milkmans Suspisions about his family.
In chapter thirteen the character focus brings you back to Hagar who is having an extremely difficult time. When Guitar gets back to his house he finds her standing in his house, just standing there, silent. He picks her up to take her home and could not help but feel sorry for her so he tries to console her. He tells that she can not let her whole life be defined by the love of a man because she is worth more then that. Hagar doesn't respond to anything that he says, she just continues to sit there. Once she is back at her house Pilate and Reba don't know what to do for her except give her their love. They tried to please her buy giving her various different things that girls like. For the first time in her life Reba actually tried to win things but oddly enough it was the first time in her life that she couldnt win anything. Nothing they brought to her lifted her spirits the least bit. One gift that Pilate and Reba got her was a small mirror. When she saw her reflection she went crazy with the thought that the reason Milkman didnt love her was because of what she saw staring back at her in the mirror. She then insists that she needs to improve her appearence and that she needs new clothes. Reba goes and pawns her 2000 dollar diamand ring for 200 dollars and combines the money with the seventy five cents that they had already been saving. Hagar takes the money and goes shopping for clothes and such. On her way home she gets caught in a rainstorm and her bags rip open sending all of her items rolling in the mud. She goes home in a devastating state and dies never getting the love she craved so badly. Reba gets Macon to give her forty dollars for the funeral where her and Pilate sing a song called Mercy. Pilate then sings the song she used to sing to Hagar when she was young, at the end she shouts with vigor "and she was loved!"
Chapter 14 Summary-
In this chapter the character focus is once again switched, this time to Milkman. He goes back to Susan Byrds house who explains that she couldnt tell him the whole story of his family in the presence of Grace. she recounts to him the story of Solomon her supossedly flew back to africa and tried to take his youngest son Jake with him but dropped him. The boy was luckily caught in the arms of Heddy (Singing Birds mother) and was raised by her. Jake eventually ran away with Singing Bird. Ryna was Solomons wife and she mourned for days, which are the cries that can supossodley still be heard in Rynas Gulch. Milkman thinks about asking to see a picture of sing or even Heddy but decides that the knowledge is enough.
Theme- In chapter thirteen the theme that is higlighted the most is the importance of knowing who you are so that you dont need to rely on others to confirm your worth. chapter 14 is about how you can find out about your self by finding your ancestreal history.
Magical Realism- There is not very much magical realism in chapter thirteen. The fact that Reba couldnt win anything was interesting but i wonder if that would be considered magical realism because most people cant win stuff easily any ways. There is magical realism in chapter 14 because it tells alot about how Solomon flew away to Africa.
Characters-
Hagar- She becomes distraught with grief because she belives that Milkman doesnt love her because she is not pretty enough. She ends up dying pretty much froma broken heart.
Milkman- He finally Finds out about his family but his neglect to Hagar causes her death.
Guitar- Give Hagar some advice.
Reba- She loses her knack for winning things in chapter thirteen just as she actually wants to win something. She pawns her diamond ring so Hagar can go shopping for things to make her feel better.
Pilate- Pilate is extremely grivous over the death of Hagar.
Susan Byrd- She comfirms all of Milkmans Suspisions about his family.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Reflecting on Chapters 11 and 12
Happy Valentines Day!!!! I'm sitting here eating a delicious heart shaped sugar cookie that I wish I could share with y'all, but i guess you'll have to settle with my thoughts on this weeks reading instead. Sorry. ;) I know i have sort have complained the last few posts about how much this book irritates me but I actually liked these chapters. It' s sort of complicated because I want to like the book but the characters just drive me crazy. Alot of things were brought into the light that were just sort of a mystery before.
I have been waiting for a real reference to the title to show up and finally did. I found out that a man named Solomon is actually Milkmans grandfather and that pretty much the whole town of shalimar is named after him, at least I think that it is him that it is named after. When i was reading the part about the little kids singing the song about Solomon, a giant light bulb went on over my head. The SONG of SOLOMON. The kids were singing a SONG about SOLOMON. Maybe the song is the whole key to unraveling all of the secrets of Milkmans familys past, that or I am totally off and Kaya will have to set my thinking straight on tuesday. I think the whole thing about the song was pretty interesting though, the way that Milkman was able to piece everything together.
I cant decide whether or not I like Milkman a bit more from the chapters or if he still drives me nutty. It seems like he is finally starting to realize things and stop being so dang dumb but I am not yet sure if he is really changing. It seems like half of what I read this week was him thinking to himself and finally realizing how selfish he has been. I guess I have seen little gradual steps towards change but i dont think the actual change has occurred yet.
He seems like he is starting to understand Hagar but then he goes and sleeps with the Sweet chick. she is a prostitute right? Another reason why I don't like Milkman. Whats up with him having to sleep with everyone? Can't he just realize that he should be with Hagar and live happily ever after? guess not. gosh. But, I do think that the way that he actually went back to Sweet instead of just leaving her might mean something. I don't really understand how Sweet is significant to the book. I know that she is but I just cant quite figure it out.
I don't like Guitar any more then I have previously, but I don't blame him for not believing Milkman that he was simply helping someone, after all, Milkman really hasnt been known to offer his service volunteeringly.
I am excited to read on just to find out what Milkman will find out about his family and interested to see how the whole Journey to Self Discovery theme suits Nilkman.
I have been waiting for a real reference to the title to show up and finally did. I found out that a man named Solomon is actually Milkmans grandfather and that pretty much the whole town of shalimar is named after him, at least I think that it is him that it is named after. When i was reading the part about the little kids singing the song about Solomon, a giant light bulb went on over my head. The SONG of SOLOMON. The kids were singing a SONG about SOLOMON. Maybe the song is the whole key to unraveling all of the secrets of Milkmans familys past, that or I am totally off and Kaya will have to set my thinking straight on tuesday. I think the whole thing about the song was pretty interesting though, the way that Milkman was able to piece everything together.
I cant decide whether or not I like Milkman a bit more from the chapters or if he still drives me nutty. It seems like he is finally starting to realize things and stop being so dang dumb but I am not yet sure if he is really changing. It seems like half of what I read this week was him thinking to himself and finally realizing how selfish he has been. I guess I have seen little gradual steps towards change but i dont think the actual change has occurred yet.
He seems like he is starting to understand Hagar but then he goes and sleeps with the Sweet chick. she is a prostitute right? Another reason why I don't like Milkman. Whats up with him having to sleep with everyone? Can't he just realize that he should be with Hagar and live happily ever after? guess not. gosh. But, I do think that the way that he actually went back to Sweet instead of just leaving her might mean something. I don't really understand how Sweet is significant to the book. I know that she is but I just cant quite figure it out.
I don't like Guitar any more then I have previously, but I don't blame him for not believing Milkman that he was simply helping someone, after all, Milkman really hasnt been known to offer his service volunteeringly.
I am excited to read on just to find out what Milkman will find out about his family and interested to see how the whole Journey to Self Discovery theme suits Nilkman.
Active Reading BLog for Chapters 11 and 12
Chapter 11 Summary-
This chapter begins with Milkman reflecting on how none of the women in the streets of the South where he is, are holding any sort of hand bag or purse. This is enough for him to know that he really is in the backwoods of Virginia. He is looking for a town called Charlemagne, which he found out was really called Shalimar and bought himself a car for seventy- five dollars. Not only is he getting used to the cheap prices there in the south but he enjoys the genuine hospitality and kindness of the people compared to back home where people only pay attention to him because of his father. Once he gets into Shalimar his car breaks down in front of a small shop Solomons General Store. He goes inside and meets the owner, Mr. Solomon, and the other men who spend thier time there. They pronounce the name of the town Shalimonee. He is informed that a man stopped by earlier with a message for him, that stated something to the extent of "Today is your day". Recognizing this statement as one that the Seven a Days uses, he realized that the man was Guitar. He goes outside of the shop to reflect upon what this must mean and comes across some children playing some game where they sing a song a about a guy named Solomon who has a son named Jay. Watching the children make him reminece about when he was a boy and how he never participated in games like this because he was never able to get over the fact that he couldnt fly. The other kids used to tease him about his nice clothes and Guitar once fought for him. Once he is done reminecing, Milkman goes back in the shop shop and inquires as to where he can find parts to fix his car, explaining that if he cant get it fixed he is going to have to buy a new one, the men in the shop offer to fix it for him but he refuses. This angers the men and Milkman gets in a fight with a man named Saul. After the fight some of the older men invite him to come hunting with them, so Milkman says yes. The men exchange his fancy clothes for army fatigues and equip him with a rifle. They all go together to a place called Ryna's gulch where legend has it that the eerie sounds that the wind make a really the sounds of a women crying in the ravine. All of the men split into partners and Milkman gets paired with a man named Calvin. When milkman has a hard time keeping up with calvin he "makes the mistake of sitting down instead of slowing down" and is left alone in the woods. This is the moment where he has a moment of rrealization of sorts and everything in his life comes into perspective. He comes to realize how he has mistreated almost every person in his life, expecting them to care about his problems, where as he takes everyone for granted and wallows in self pity. He comes to realize that all he has ever done is expect people to share their happiness but never thier pain. while he is still alone in the woods, Guitar comes up from behind and tries to strangle him with a wire. As his life flashes before his eyes, the only image that stays is that of Hagar bending over him. Just as he is about to surrender himself to death, the wire is loosened just a bit around his neck which allows him too reach for his gun and shoot it into the air. This scares Guitar and he flees. Milkman gets up and looks for the other hunters, who are unaware of his confrontation with Guitar and laugh at him for firing his gun out of fear. It is at this time that his limp goes away and he for oncein his life is able to walk normal. While Milkman was alone they managed to capture and kill a bobcat which they take back to the gas station slaugter so that they can eat it. Whilewatching the men cut out different parts of the bobcat Milkman remembers a conversation that he had with guitar. He is given the privlage of taking the heart ou and as he does this he watches a peacock take flight outside the shop. The next morning he finally gets the point as to why he is in Shalimar and asks if anyone knew his father or Pilate. No one knew anything so he asked if anybody knew his grandmother, Sing. He finds out that his grandmother was an Indian daughter of a woman named Heddy Byrd who lived near by. He also finds out that he may have a rlative that lives nearby named Susan Byrd. He decides to go visit her the next day. In the meantime, the men give him directions to a place where he can stay for the night. The owner of the place is a beautiful women named Sweet who offers to bathe him and they end up sleeping together. Milkman in return bathes her, makes her bed, pays her fifty dollars, and says that he will be back later that night. She irons his clothes and kisses him good bye.
Chapter 12 summary-
this chapter opens with a newly refreshed Milkman standing at the door of Susan Byrd. Her yard was neatly kept and when he was invited inside he saw that it was much the same. also at susans house is a lady named grace long her is a teacher at a nearby school. Milkman asks Susan if she has any relatives named Sing and she tells him that her Father , Crowell Byrd, had a sister named sing but that she left on a wagon train to a Quaker School in Virginia and never married. she claims to never have had heard of Pilate either. milkman leaves her house with nothing but a package of cookies and Grace Longs address which was tucked inside the cookie parcel. He decides that he will only stay in town for one day then return home. He once again has a moment of realization where he reflects back on his life. He realizes the the ghost of his gradfather wasnt telling Pilate to "sing" after all but was rather saying the name of his wife, but of course Pilate didnt know these because she had never known her mothers name. He relizes that it is crazy for him to be thinking of ghosts but then decides that if it can be true that Pilate doesnt have a navel then ghosts surley can be real too. While on his way back to Sings, he is once again confronted by Guitar. Guitar claims that he followed Milkman and saw him ship a crate of gold andcame to get the gold for himself. Milkman remembers the scene that Guitar must have seen and explains that he was simply helping a man load a heavy crate onto the train. guitar didnt believe him because he has never seen Milkman do anything to help anyone else. Milkman pretty much leaves Guitar to believe as he wishes and goes to Sweets for the night. The next morning Milkman goes back to the shop and one of the men, Omar, tells him that he was able to get the part needed for his car. Milkman decides that he is not going to leave right a way and decides to go outside. The same children are playing the same game that they were the day before. As he listens carefully to the words, Milkman realizes that the children are singing about his family. Solomon was his Great grand- father and his son Jay must have really been his grandfather Jake. He had noticed before that every thing in the town was named after Solomon. The song also mentions Sings mother Heddy. He realizes that his granmothers name is not really Sing Byrd, but Singing Bird and that her brothers name must have been Crow Bird. He becomes extremly happy and decides to pay Susan Byrd a visit once more.
Characters- (in no particular order)
Milkman- He is finally starting to realize the things that he has done wrong in his life. He started out on a journey to find gold, a worldly thing, and has been set on a new path to self discovery. He still is much the same but is at least starting to realize how much he has taken for granted the people in his life which may lead to a permanet change for the better.
Guitar- Followed Milkman and thinks that he found the gold and shipped it to Virginia. He tried to kill Milkman but didnt succeed.
Mr. Solomon- The owner of Solomon's Store.
Solomon- Milkmans great- grandfather.
Saul- A man that Milkman got into a fight with.
Sweet- A very beautiful woman who Milkman spent two nights with. the seems very kind and hospitable in every way, though I am kind of confused as to how she is significant to the story. Mrs. Blaber can you explain? please. :)
Susan Byrd- The niece of Sing Byrd. Milkman went to visit her but she obviously didnt tell him all that she knows.
Crowell Byrd- Susan Byrds father and Sing Byrds brother. Milkman thinks that his real name may have been Crow Byrd.
Sing Byrd- She is Milkmans grandmother. He thinks her real name may have been Singing Bird. she is indian.
Heddy Byrd- sings Mother. She lived near Shalimar and did not like colored people very much.
Grace Long- She is a friend of Susan Byrd. I think that she may know something because she left her address secretly with Milkman.
Theme- The most dominant theme is Self Discovery and the journey towards finding your self. there are many times in these chapters where Milkman has moments of self realization. The theme of flight was also very relevent in these chapters.
Magical Realism- I think that magical realism was present through the story of Rynas Gulch, even if it wasnt true it is still sort of mysterious and out of the ordinary to hear the sound of a women crying made by the wind. The mention of ghosts was still there which is definatley MR.
Important Quotes-
Chapter 11- Pg. 280 "Maybe all he was really saying was: I am not responsible for your pain; share your happiness with me but not your un happiness." Wow, goodness, i never thought that Milkman was going to realize this. This quote is relevant to almost every person that he met. I think this quote is the beginning of him finally being able to change.
Chapter 11- Pg 286 "A peacock soared away and lit on the hood of a blue buick." Earlier in the bok when a Peacock was mentioned I thought it signified greed and selfishness, here where it is flying a way, I think it is a symbol of these things finally leaving Milkman.
Chapter 12- Pg 303 " What might she have ben like had her Husband loved her." This quote is talking about Ruth. This is one of the many quotes in these chapters that show that Milkman is not only starting to understand himself but his family as well. I think it also shows how Hagar could have turned out differently if milkman only payed her more attention. Acyually, i think this quote could apply to almost all the of women in this book in some way or another.
Chapter 12- Pg 305 " Every body in this towns name is Solomon..." I didnt even realize this until he said it. Finally the name of the book is starting to make sense. the Song of Solomon. Maybe i am wrong but I think that it is significant because it is this song about solomon that will lead Milkman to finally being able to find himself.
This chapter begins with Milkman reflecting on how none of the women in the streets of the South where he is, are holding any sort of hand bag or purse. This is enough for him to know that he really is in the backwoods of Virginia. He is looking for a town called Charlemagne, which he found out was really called Shalimar and bought himself a car for seventy- five dollars. Not only is he getting used to the cheap prices there in the south but he enjoys the genuine hospitality and kindness of the people compared to back home where people only pay attention to him because of his father. Once he gets into Shalimar his car breaks down in front of a small shop Solomons General Store. He goes inside and meets the owner, Mr. Solomon, and the other men who spend thier time there. They pronounce the name of the town Shalimonee. He is informed that a man stopped by earlier with a message for him, that stated something to the extent of "Today is your day". Recognizing this statement as one that the Seven a Days uses, he realized that the man was Guitar. He goes outside of the shop to reflect upon what this must mean and comes across some children playing some game where they sing a song a about a guy named Solomon who has a son named Jay. Watching the children make him reminece about when he was a boy and how he never participated in games like this because he was never able to get over the fact that he couldnt fly. The other kids used to tease him about his nice clothes and Guitar once fought for him. Once he is done reminecing, Milkman goes back in the shop shop and inquires as to where he can find parts to fix his car, explaining that if he cant get it fixed he is going to have to buy a new one, the men in the shop offer to fix it for him but he refuses. This angers the men and Milkman gets in a fight with a man named Saul. After the fight some of the older men invite him to come hunting with them, so Milkman says yes. The men exchange his fancy clothes for army fatigues and equip him with a rifle. They all go together to a place called Ryna's gulch where legend has it that the eerie sounds that the wind make a really the sounds of a women crying in the ravine. All of the men split into partners and Milkman gets paired with a man named Calvin. When milkman has a hard time keeping up with calvin he "makes the mistake of sitting down instead of slowing down" and is left alone in the woods. This is the moment where he has a moment of rrealization of sorts and everything in his life comes into perspective. He comes to realize how he has mistreated almost every person in his life, expecting them to care about his problems, where as he takes everyone for granted and wallows in self pity. He comes to realize that all he has ever done is expect people to share their happiness but never thier pain. while he is still alone in the woods, Guitar comes up from behind and tries to strangle him with a wire. As his life flashes before his eyes, the only image that stays is that of Hagar bending over him. Just as he is about to surrender himself to death, the wire is loosened just a bit around his neck which allows him too reach for his gun and shoot it into the air. This scares Guitar and he flees. Milkman gets up and looks for the other hunters, who are unaware of his confrontation with Guitar and laugh at him for firing his gun out of fear. It is at this time that his limp goes away and he for oncein his life is able to walk normal. While Milkman was alone they managed to capture and kill a bobcat which they take back to the gas station slaugter so that they can eat it. Whilewatching the men cut out different parts of the bobcat Milkman remembers a conversation that he had with guitar. He is given the privlage of taking the heart ou and as he does this he watches a peacock take flight outside the shop. The next morning he finally gets the point as to why he is in Shalimar and asks if anyone knew his father or Pilate. No one knew anything so he asked if anybody knew his grandmother, Sing. He finds out that his grandmother was an Indian daughter of a woman named Heddy Byrd who lived near by. He also finds out that he may have a rlative that lives nearby named Susan Byrd. He decides to go visit her the next day. In the meantime, the men give him directions to a place where he can stay for the night. The owner of the place is a beautiful women named Sweet who offers to bathe him and they end up sleeping together. Milkman in return bathes her, makes her bed, pays her fifty dollars, and says that he will be back later that night. She irons his clothes and kisses him good bye.
Chapter 12 summary-
this chapter opens with a newly refreshed Milkman standing at the door of Susan Byrd. Her yard was neatly kept and when he was invited inside he saw that it was much the same. also at susans house is a lady named grace long her is a teacher at a nearby school. Milkman asks Susan if she has any relatives named Sing and she tells him that her Father , Crowell Byrd, had a sister named sing but that she left on a wagon train to a Quaker School in Virginia and never married. she claims to never have had heard of Pilate either. milkman leaves her house with nothing but a package of cookies and Grace Longs address which was tucked inside the cookie parcel. He decides that he will only stay in town for one day then return home. He once again has a moment of realization where he reflects back on his life. He realizes the the ghost of his gradfather wasnt telling Pilate to "sing" after all but was rather saying the name of his wife, but of course Pilate didnt know these because she had never known her mothers name. He relizes that it is crazy for him to be thinking of ghosts but then decides that if it can be true that Pilate doesnt have a navel then ghosts surley can be real too. While on his way back to Sings, he is once again confronted by Guitar. Guitar claims that he followed Milkman and saw him ship a crate of gold andcame to get the gold for himself. Milkman remembers the scene that Guitar must have seen and explains that he was simply helping a man load a heavy crate onto the train. guitar didnt believe him because he has never seen Milkman do anything to help anyone else. Milkman pretty much leaves Guitar to believe as he wishes and goes to Sweets for the night. The next morning Milkman goes back to the shop and one of the men, Omar, tells him that he was able to get the part needed for his car. Milkman decides that he is not going to leave right a way and decides to go outside. The same children are playing the same game that they were the day before. As he listens carefully to the words, Milkman realizes that the children are singing about his family. Solomon was his Great grand- father and his son Jay must have really been his grandfather Jake. He had noticed before that every thing in the town was named after Solomon. The song also mentions Sings mother Heddy. He realizes that his granmothers name is not really Sing Byrd, but Singing Bird and that her brothers name must have been Crow Bird. He becomes extremly happy and decides to pay Susan Byrd a visit once more.
Characters- (in no particular order)
Milkman- He is finally starting to realize the things that he has done wrong in his life. He started out on a journey to find gold, a worldly thing, and has been set on a new path to self discovery. He still is much the same but is at least starting to realize how much he has taken for granted the people in his life which may lead to a permanet change for the better.
Guitar- Followed Milkman and thinks that he found the gold and shipped it to Virginia. He tried to kill Milkman but didnt succeed.
Mr. Solomon- The owner of Solomon's Store.
Solomon- Milkmans great- grandfather.
Saul- A man that Milkman got into a fight with.
Sweet- A very beautiful woman who Milkman spent two nights with. the seems very kind and hospitable in every way, though I am kind of confused as to how she is significant to the story. Mrs. Blaber can you explain? please. :)
Susan Byrd- The niece of Sing Byrd. Milkman went to visit her but she obviously didnt tell him all that she knows.
Crowell Byrd- Susan Byrds father and Sing Byrds brother. Milkman thinks that his real name may have been Crow Byrd.
Sing Byrd- She is Milkmans grandmother. He thinks her real name may have been Singing Bird. she is indian.
Heddy Byrd- sings Mother. She lived near Shalimar and did not like colored people very much.
Grace Long- She is a friend of Susan Byrd. I think that she may know something because she left her address secretly with Milkman.
Theme- The most dominant theme is Self Discovery and the journey towards finding your self. there are many times in these chapters where Milkman has moments of self realization. The theme of flight was also very relevent in these chapters.
Magical Realism- I think that magical realism was present through the story of Rynas Gulch, even if it wasnt true it is still sort of mysterious and out of the ordinary to hear the sound of a women crying made by the wind. The mention of ghosts was still there which is definatley MR.
Important Quotes-
Chapter 11- Pg. 280 "Maybe all he was really saying was: I am not responsible for your pain; share your happiness with me but not your un happiness." Wow, goodness, i never thought that Milkman was going to realize this. This quote is relevant to almost every person that he met. I think this quote is the beginning of him finally being able to change.
Chapter 11- Pg 286 "A peacock soared away and lit on the hood of a blue buick." Earlier in the bok when a Peacock was mentioned I thought it signified greed and selfishness, here where it is flying a way, I think it is a symbol of these things finally leaving Milkman.
Chapter 12- Pg 303 " What might she have ben like had her Husband loved her." This quote is talking about Ruth. This is one of the many quotes in these chapters that show that Milkman is not only starting to understand himself but his family as well. I think it also shows how Hagar could have turned out differently if milkman only payed her more attention. Acyually, i think this quote could apply to almost all the of women in this book in some way or another.
Chapter 12- Pg 305 " Every body in this towns name is Solomon..." I didnt even realize this until he said it. Finally the name of the book is starting to make sense. the Song of Solomon. Maybe i am wrong but I think that it is significant because it is this song about solomon that will lead Milkman to finally being able to find himself.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Reflective blog for chapter 7-10 :)
Hi! I must admit that I am actually starting to enjoy this book, somewhat. A lot has happened in these last chapters that makes me feel that the plot it is actually going somewhere. It is getting really interesting. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that not only has a lot happened in these last chapters but there is a lot going on, literary wise. It keeps me focused and interested.
Toni Morrison uses copious amount of symbols and allusions. I noticed that there are quite a few references to fairy tales, such as Hansel and Gretal and Jack and the Bean Stalk. I like that she uses these because they are stories that I am really familiar with so it is easier to make connections between characters and such. in In chapter 8 there is the symbol of the white Peacock which I believe symbolizes vanity and greed and pride. I think Toni Morrison isn't just talking about one race of people but rather people in general. There is also the rose petals which I think symbolizes false love, or something to that extent.
One thing that does get sort of confusing is that the narrator seems to switch from 1st to third person alot. it also seems that one minute you will be reading about a certain character then it will just suddenly switch to a different character. I often have to go back to see who exactly it is that i am reading about. I wonder if this is done for a reason or if it is just toni Morrisons style of writing.
the whole story about the gold was pretty crazy. It really shows the difference between Macon and Pilate, the way he wanted to take it and she said to leave it. I didn't really believe Macon in the first place when he said that the green bag hanging from her ceiling was the gold in the cave. I was just as shocked as Milkman when it is found out that the reason Macon has such a hatred towards his sister is because she supposedly went back to get the gold. It really highlights how selfish and proud he is. Shouldnt he have been worried and tried to help his sister all those years but instead he was holding a grudge against her over gold! Gosh, this guy is so dang delirious. And, Milkman just goes along with it. He wanted to leave for a year but when his father sent him on the "mission" he ende upjust staying.
I don't know if it was meant to be funny or not but i laughed at the part when Pilate saw Milkman and Guitar stealing the bag and she said "what the devil they want that for." I like Pilate, she is sort of mysterious. whenever she is in the story there is alot of Magical realism. apparently she can change her height and become taller or shoter, at least thats what it seemed like to me Guitar on the other hand, disgusts me. His ideas are just... off. I still don't see how you can rationalize the justness in killing one person to make up the killing of another, especially children. It made me upset when Guitar was trying to figure out how he was going to carry out the task of killing four little white girls in the same way four little black girls were killed. The story does sound familiar though, i think it is something that really happened. Oh, i just thought of something; Was the Seven days Orginization a real organization? hmmmm...
I noticed that there is not much mention of Ruth and Hagar and Reba but there is plenty about First Corinthians and Lena. Wow.... First Corinthians story was crazy. She lived a pretty vain and insipid life but when these these things got pointed out to her by her lover she at first got mad but then realized that she could no longer live with the life she was leading any longer and unlike Milkman, she did soething about it. Yay for Corinthians. I also feel sad for her though cause it turns out that her boyfriend is a part of the Seven days cult( yes I decided that i am going to call it a cult.) and also because, she is forbiden to see him at the same time. I really like First Corinthians and wish she could be happy but I would hate to see her wth someone that does such awful things.
I was surprised when Lena confronted Milkman and brought up the day when he peed on her. I wondered if that had any significance to the story when it first happened and it turns out that it did. boy, does she have a lot of hatred towards him. I almost want to feel bad for him but then again, all of the bad things that she said about him were true. It frustrated me whe he told her that he just "lives and lets live". Come on! Thats your whole problem! Goodness Gracious! He really bugs me and so does Macon and so does Guitar and so does Porter, actually the vast majority of the characters in this book drive me nutty.
Macon Jrs parents names are finally revealed as Sing and Jake. I find the name sing very interesting because that is what Jakes ghost would always whisper to Pilate. It gives new meaning to it. I now question if he was actually telling her to sing or if he was referring to his wife. Also could it be significance to the title because Sing and Solomons SONG are both very musical. Oh and there is mention of a guy named Solomon that Pilate referred to as her husband.
So, in a nutshell I like the book but the characters are majorly frustrating. Oh, and no one has flown yet, I mean at least not literally. I still think that someone is going too. Guess I just have to be patient.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Reflective Blog for chapters 3-6
Ok so, I really want to like this book but the more i read the more confused that I get. I really like the first two chapters. Nothing is making much sense. Maybe i am just thinking about it too hard.
In chapter three Macon is telling Milkman all of this bad stuff about Ruth and her father that made me change my initial view on Ruth then a couple chapters later Ruth tells a totally different story. What Macon said about finding her lying naked next to her dead father is really creepy. But, she says that she wasn't naked and that she was kneeling next to the bed. She was about to say why she was kissing his fingers but Milkman interrupted her. I just don't know what to believe. My veiw point between Macon and Ruth keeps switching.
Milkman makes me made because he is stupid and left Hagar. Why can't people just recognize a good thing when its right in front of them. Hagar loved Milkman with all of her heart and all he can do is say "thanks for the memories"? Come On! It reminds me of Hassan and Amir in the Kite Runner, but in a different way. I have the feeling that he is just confused though, and so focused on the things of his past that he cant focus on the future.
I like how Pilate explains that the reason Hagar wants to kill Milkman so bad is because he is the one person that she has given all of her love to, the one person that she wants for ever, but he is the person who took him a way from her. Ruth in turn wants to get at Hagar for trying to kill Milkman. If only Milkman realized how much these two woman cared about him he wouldnt feel so lonely.
Pilate is the only character that seems level headed. Although, she is a bit strange. I wonder why she has no navel, there must be something more to her then I am understanding.
My suspicions about the character names being related to the actual biblical characters were confirmed in these chapters. I can defiantly see the similarities between Song of Soloman Ruth and Bible Ruth. they both have someone that they are unwaveringly loyal too. The story of Hagar in this book can certainly be compared to the Hagar in the bible. Both of the Hagars had given all of their love and they both ended up ditched in the end.
One thing I find Sshocking is the Seven Days orginization. I don't agree with it at all. I think that Guitars thinking is off. Then again, White people acted more horrifically towards Black people then I can ever comprehend and people get tired and bitter and just want something done about it. I do not believe that you can fight evil with evil no matter how you rationalize it. I guess the problem comes into play when people try to define what evil is. My irritation with Milkman decreased just a little bit when he expressed his disapproval against the orginization. I wonder if he is actually going to do anything to defy it.
I was able to find more magical realism in these chapters. It appeared mostly in the form of ghosts. I was actually dissapointed about this because I want someone to fly again. Guys with blue silk wings appeal to me much more then ghosts.
I still dont know why the book is called the Song of Solomon. Is there a character named Solomon? there has been a couple songs but no Solomons.
Well, i am going to leave off there. Ill be back next week with hopefully a better idea of the book. I am sure that everything will start to come together. :)
In chapter three Macon is telling Milkman all of this bad stuff about Ruth and her father that made me change my initial view on Ruth then a couple chapters later Ruth tells a totally different story. What Macon said about finding her lying naked next to her dead father is really creepy. But, she says that she wasn't naked and that she was kneeling next to the bed. She was about to say why she was kissing his fingers but Milkman interrupted her. I just don't know what to believe. My veiw point between Macon and Ruth keeps switching.
Milkman makes me made because he is stupid and left Hagar. Why can't people just recognize a good thing when its right in front of them. Hagar loved Milkman with all of her heart and all he can do is say "thanks for the memories"? Come On! It reminds me of Hassan and Amir in the Kite Runner, but in a different way. I have the feeling that he is just confused though, and so focused on the things of his past that he cant focus on the future.
I like how Pilate explains that the reason Hagar wants to kill Milkman so bad is because he is the one person that she has given all of her love to, the one person that she wants for ever, but he is the person who took him a way from her. Ruth in turn wants to get at Hagar for trying to kill Milkman. If only Milkman realized how much these two woman cared about him he wouldnt feel so lonely.
Pilate is the only character that seems level headed. Although, she is a bit strange. I wonder why she has no navel, there must be something more to her then I am understanding.
My suspicions about the character names being related to the actual biblical characters were confirmed in these chapters. I can defiantly see the similarities between Song of Soloman Ruth and Bible Ruth. they both have someone that they are unwaveringly loyal too. The story of Hagar in this book can certainly be compared to the Hagar in the bible. Both of the Hagars had given all of their love and they both ended up ditched in the end.
One thing I find Sshocking is the Seven Days orginization. I don't agree with it at all. I think that Guitars thinking is off. Then again, White people acted more horrifically towards Black people then I can ever comprehend and people get tired and bitter and just want something done about it. I do not believe that you can fight evil with evil no matter how you rationalize it. I guess the problem comes into play when people try to define what evil is. My irritation with Milkman decreased just a little bit when he expressed his disapproval against the orginization. I wonder if he is actually going to do anything to defy it.
I was able to find more magical realism in these chapters. It appeared mostly in the form of ghosts. I was actually dissapointed about this because I want someone to fly again. Guys with blue silk wings appeal to me much more then ghosts.
I still dont know why the book is called the Song of Solomon. Is there a character named Solomon? there has been a couple songs but no Solomons.
Well, i am going to leave off there. Ill be back next week with hopefully a better idea of the book. I am sure that everything will start to come together. :)
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