Fight or Flight
Toni Morrison born out of a mixed race family in Missouri ties in her ancestral line to that of Macon Dead’s in Song of Solomon (Blue). Morrison’s mother flew out of Morrison’s life as quickly as Morrison began life. This inevitably created a deep distrust and mildly anti-American sentiment that is signified throughout Song of Solomon. Morrison’s father was an amazing story-teller and often told Morrison stories about their ancestors (Blue). Her story-telling skills were inspired by her dad’s archaic stories. After becoming the first high school graduate in her family, Morrison went on to an all African American college for her secondary degree (Blue). The atmosphere at the all African American college is what inspired Morrison’s …show more content…
During Toni Morrison’s lifetime, she encountered racism in some form or another. Being from a mixed race family, Morrison felt as if she had no place to fit in. Due to segregation of African Americans and Americans, Morrison was sort of left out of the whole mix of things.“Mrs. Bains let her hand fall to her side. "A nigger in business is a terrible thing to see. A terrible, terrible thing to see"” (Morrison 22). Macon Dead is put in a similar situation. Due to his father being a capitalist stealing from his own African American people to work for the American man, Macon Dead seems to have no place to fit in (Ramsey). This was one of the issues that lead to Macon Dead’s quest to ‘find himself’ through his ancestry by taking flight in the novel. There was a distinct class issue that rose as well during Toni Morrison’s period that parallel to that of Macon Dead’s experiences. Toni Morrison was sort of wedged between the middle class and the lowest class due to her mixed race. Same goes for Macon Dead. Macon was wedged between the American capitalist class and the working African American class. Morrison although seems to equate herself more towards her African American heritage (Buehrer). Even through her writing she explains the need for a strong community backbone. Morrison explains that need for a community through Hagar’s needs in Song of Solomon. “She needed what most colored girls …show more content…
Morrison’s characterization of Pilate and contrast with that of Ruth’s charazterization leads to the conclusion that she was a strong feminist. “They were so different, these two women. One black, the other lemony. One corseted, the other buck naked under her dress. One well read but ill traveled. The other had read only a geography book. But had been from one end of the country to another. One wholly dependent on money for life, the other indifferent to it. But those were the meaningless things. Their similarities were profound. Both were vitally interested in Macon Dead’s son, and both had close and supportive posthumous communication with their fathers” (Morrison 139). This contrast of Ruth and Pilate not only signifies a weak and strong woman but also a class distinction. Neat Ruth represented the American aspect of the community and Pilate with her ruffled character represented the African American sector. Pilate sings, believes in free speech and exemplifies the basis of Song of Solomon, African American storytelling, while Ruth chooses to be voiceless (Atkinson). Moreover, Pilate is the embodiment of a feminist in this novel. “After their mother dies, she had come struggling out of the womb without help from throbbing muscles or the pressure of swift womb water” (Morrison 27). Pilate physically fought out of her dead mother's womb showing her strong feminist character.
Toni Morrison born out of a mixed race family in Missouri ties in her ancestral line to that of Macon Dead’s in Song of Solomon (Blue). Morrison’s mother flew out of Morrison’s life as quickly as Morrison began life. This inevitably created a deep distrust and mildly anti-American sentiment that is signified throughout Song of Solomon. Morrison’s father was an amazing story-teller and often told Morrison stories about their ancestors (Blue). Her story-telling skills were inspired by her dad’s archaic stories. After becoming the first high school graduate in her family, Morrison went on to an all African American college for her secondary degree (Blue). The atmosphere at the all African American college is what inspired Morrison’s …show more content…
During Toni Morrison’s lifetime, she encountered racism in some form or another. Being from a mixed race family, Morrison felt as if she had no place to fit in. Due to segregation of African Americans and Americans, Morrison was sort of left out of the whole mix of things.“Mrs. Bains let her hand fall to her side. "A nigger in business is a terrible thing to see. A terrible, terrible thing to see"” (Morrison 22). Macon Dead is put in a similar situation. Due to his father being a capitalist stealing from his own African American people to work for the American man, Macon Dead seems to have no place to fit in (Ramsey). This was one of the issues that lead to Macon Dead’s quest to ‘find himself’ through his ancestry by taking flight in the novel. There was a distinct class issue that rose as well during Toni Morrison’s period that parallel to that of Macon Dead’s experiences. Toni Morrison was sort of wedged between the middle class and the lowest class due to her mixed race. Same goes for Macon Dead. Macon was wedged between the American capitalist class and the working African American class. Morrison although seems to equate herself more towards her African American heritage (Buehrer). Even through her writing she explains the need for a strong community backbone. Morrison explains that need for a community through Hagar’s needs in Song of Solomon. “She needed what most colored girls …show more content…
Morrison’s characterization of Pilate and contrast with that of Ruth’s charazterization leads to the conclusion that she was a strong feminist. “They were so different, these two women. One black, the other lemony. One corseted, the other buck naked under her dress. One well read but ill traveled. The other had read only a geography book. But had been from one end of the country to another. One wholly dependent on money for life, the other indifferent to it. But those were the meaningless things. Their similarities were profound. Both were vitally interested in Macon Dead’s son, and both had close and supportive posthumous communication with their fathers” (Morrison 139). This contrast of Ruth and Pilate not only signifies a weak and strong woman but also a class distinction. Neat Ruth represented the American aspect of the community and Pilate with her ruffled character represented the African American sector. Pilate sings, believes in free speech and exemplifies the basis of Song of Solomon, African American storytelling, while Ruth chooses to be voiceless (Atkinson). Moreover, Pilate is the embodiment of a feminist in this novel. “After their mother dies, she had come struggling out of the womb without help from throbbing muscles or the pressure of swift womb water” (Morrison 27). Pilate physically fought out of her dead mother's womb showing her strong feminist character.