Throughout the song of solomon, Toni morrison indirectly alluds africa and african culture in particular.the notion of flying African is one of the most obvious allusions within the novel, infact,the book begins and ends with it.The novels open with the story of Mr.Smith who jumped of the roof of the hospital believing he could fly (Morrison 9-12).Actually, the trope has to do with becoming free from bondage of slavery; Africans born slaves flying from slavery in the Americas to Africa.Moreover, Ruth Dead is in a sense in bondage to the racial segregation at the time and therefore cannot give birth in a white hospital. The traumatic event could be seen a sacrifice wherein Smith’s death allows for the freedom and life of another.
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Some of those Africans they brought over here as slaves could really fly. A lot of them flew back to Africa. The one who did around here was this same Solomon, or Shalimar—I never knew which was right” (Morrison 347). When asked about whether or not he really flew away Susan said, “No, I mean flew. Oh, it’s just foolishness, you know, but according to the story he wasn’t running away. He was flying. He flew. You know, just like a bird. Just stood up in the fields one day, ran up a hill, spun around a couple of times, and was lifted up in the air. Went right back to wherever it was he came from” (Morrison 347-8). A certain rock near a ravine is named “Solomon’s Leap” after him (Morrison 348). This idea of “flying off” is full of ambiguity. Within the novel it means fleeing slavery, actually flying, dying or leaving one’s responsibilities behind (as Milkman did with Hagar) (Morrison 357).This is confirmed by Storey as she indicates this “flying” is flight from a human representative of a coercive culture, and flight towards a refuge or home” (7).Milkman and Pilate bring her father’s bones
Some of those Africans they brought over here as slaves could really fly. A lot of them flew back to Africa. The one who did around here was this same Solomon, or Shalimar—I never knew which was right” (Morrison 347). When asked about whether or not he really flew away Susan said, “No, I mean flew. Oh, it’s just foolishness, you know, but according to the story he wasn’t running away. He was flying. He flew. You know, just like a bird. Just stood up in the fields one day, ran up a hill, spun around a couple of times, and was lifted up in the air. Went right back to wherever it was he came from” (Morrison 347-8). A certain rock near a ravine is named “Solomon’s Leap” after him (Morrison 348). This idea of “flying off” is full of ambiguity. Within the novel it means fleeing slavery, actually flying, dying or leaving one’s responsibilities behind (as Milkman did with Hagar) (Morrison 357).This is confirmed by Storey as she indicates this “flying” is flight from a human representative of a coercive culture, and flight towards a refuge or home” (7).Milkman and Pilate bring her father’s bones