Usually a name has the power to define and to possess that which it identifies. Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon names carry biblical references, and can mean anything from liberation to oppression. Morrison has created some great characters with some unusual names like Milkman, Hagar, Pilate, etc. Although these names have biblical references, these names also identify to a certain trait of the character which is kinda unorthodox for a novel. All of Morrison’s characters are African American, and by giving significant names to her characters she has illustrated the vital importance of naming in African American culture. While Morrison is certainly getting at in relation to the power of naming, she is drawing on Christian religions and connotations
