characters who are related to the message of the novel. When one comes to the realization

Transcription

1 In retrospect the reader often discovers that the first chapter of a novel or the opening scene of a drama introduces some major themes of the work. Write an essay about the opening scene of a drama or the first chapter of a novel in which you explain how it functions in the story. The opening scene in the first chapter of Song of Solomon introduces the major themes of the novel, foreshadows significant events, and introduces some of the characters who are related to the message of the novel. When one comes to the realization that there is no true freedom, the individual will remain unchanged in his life and recognize that flight or freedom is only an illusion to divert attention from the reality of the world. In Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, the opening scene introduces the major themes and ideas of flight as a way to freedom, struggle for identity among the African- American community, and the effects of the past on the progression of man. The opening begins with Robert Smith, who tries to escape life, standards, and the problems associated with life by committing suicide. Suicide is a self-inflicted death that is the action one takes to escape from something or someone. Mr. Smith promised to fly from Mercy to the other side of Lake Superior (Morrison 1; ch.1). A major theme that is introduced by the individual s action is flight, which foreshadows the death of the main character, Milkman Dead. Morrison uses the diction of fly to make death seem like a positive thing by its lighter connotation than the word die or death. The man prepared blue wings to symbolize his transformation to that of a bird (Morrison 5; ch.1). Flight also represents freedom, as when one flies, the individual is released from the ground, leaving the things of the ground behind and lifted into the limitless skies. Milkman Dead was born on the next day, after Mr. Smith had leaped on into the air (Morrison 9; ch.1). Milkman s birth in the hospital is significant in which it establishes the standard that he would live by, the first colored baby born inside Mercy.

2 As the first colored baby born in Mercy, Morrison places emphasis on Milkman as the main character from this opening scene. This is not the only standard, but the little boy discovered, at four, the same thing Mr. Smith had learned earlier-that only birds and airplanes could fly- he lost all interest in himself (Morrison 9; ch. 1). Milkman Dead came to a realization at a young age, which Mr. Smith realized as well; there is no way to escape or truly fly from the standards of the world. Man cannot simply fly or obtain true freedom from the world. Metaphor is used to compare man to birds and airplanes, this emphasizes that man literally cannot fly as well. Consequently, Milkman becomes unchanged with no major influences in his actions, but has lived for the expectations that others placed on his life. Milkman exclaims, everybody wants something from me, you know what I mean? (Morrison 222; ch.10). Milkman s interest in himself is therefore lost throughout the beginning of the novel of attempting to escape; He himself did nothing (Morrison 120; ch.5). However, his fascination with flight still remained; it relates to a longing for escaping his world of emptiness. It is stated, Above all he wanted to escape what he knew, escape the implications of what he had been told. And all he knew in the world about the world was what other people told him (Morrison 120; ch.5). The repetition of escape emphasizes the extent to which he desires to take flight like a bird and break free of all the problems involved of the world. Milkman s fascination of flight is brought about in several instances, such as when he meets a peacock. At the sight of the peacock, Milkman exclaims Look she s flying down. Milkman felt again his unrestrained joy at anything that could fly (Morrison 178; ch.8). The dash following look exhibits Milkman s excitement and awe over things that can fly as it reflects his desires as well. The dash

3 signifies the lost over words, which portrays his enchantment for flight. The word unrestrained illustrates that his feelings about flight and escape are uncontrollable and limitless. The diction of unrestrained also illustrates that the sky is limitless, and therefore freedom is also boundless if attained. The title Song of Solomon references a song that children would sing in the novel: Solomon done fly, Solomon done gone Solomon cut across the sky, Solomon gone home (Morrison 303; ch.12). The song is sung in the opening scene replacing the name Solomon with Sugarman : O Sugarman done fly O Sugarman done gone (Morrison 9; ch. 9). Solomon is revealed to be the great-grandfather of Milkman Dead and the song tells the story of his legacy when he flew away from the earth. Morrison foreshadows upcoming events by having a singing woman sing the song in the opening scene in reaction to Mr. Smith s flight from Mercy Hospital (Morrison 5; ch.1). The woman is later revealed to be Pilate who plays an important role throughout the novel and significance as a mentor in Milkman s pursuit of escaping standards as well. At the ending of the novel, Pilate contradicts the idea of flying into the sky; without leaving the ground, she could fly (Morrison 336; ch.15). This action reveals that one can obtain freedom or the illusion of freedom without letting go of earthly possessions. Other characters who are important to the story are also introduced in the opening scene. The sisters of Milkman Dead are introduced and spilling red velvet rose petals (Morrison 5; ch.1). The rose petals are significant in representing the blood of Mr. Smith and an unattainable or dependent life. The daughters are trying to catch it, but nature comes in and the wind blew them about, up, down, and into the small mounds of snow (Morrison 5; ch.1). The diction of up, down, and about exhibits the obstacle of

4 choosing an independent path from the one that is set up by the girls father later in the novel (Morrison 214; ch.9). Guitar, Milkman s friend, is also present in the opening scene as he pays attention to the Pilate s singing. The word cat-eyed elaborates on Guitar s mischievous nature in the future as he is entangled with the search for Pilate s gold and the causing factor that pressures Milkman to fly (Morrison 8; ch.1). Further in the novel, Milkman goes on a journey alone in the search for gold. This journey marks an independent step on his own accord that does not include the expectations he received from his family and friends in the beginning chapters. This expectation as well as those from others, leaves Milkman unchanged and unable to find his own path. Throughout this journey, Milkman gradually develops an identity for himself as he learns more about the history of his father s side of the family. He further fuels his admiration for flight with the knowledge of his great-grandfather s flight. The setting of the opening scene also establishes major themes of the novel by the significance of names. The name of the hospital, Mercy, establishes the idea that Robert Smith, in his pursuit to escape life, reflects the loss of mercy from the world that has treated him harshly. The name of the hospital is changed from Mercy Hospital to No Mercy Hospital following Mr. Smith s suicide. Mr. Smith takes the action of committing suicide as a way to reflect that there is no mercy from the world. Therefore, when there is no mercy from the world, Mr. Smith seeks to alleviate his problems through attempting to gain mercy from flying and becoming free. It is mentioned that the naming of the streets and buildings associated with the streets are named to keep their memories alive (Morrison 4; ch.1). By keeping one s memories alive, it becomes a hindrance for further progression and leaves someplace, someone, or something left unable to change because

5 of a focus on the past. Personification is used to express that memories have a living presence among men and fundamentally an impact in the African American society. Mr. Smith s flight reflects the goal for all African Americans in the community who seek freedom from the past. Furthermore, this opening scene also relates to the African Americans struggle for identity, which is also a major theme in the novel. Milkman struggles to find independence from his father s demand to follow in his footsteps in the beginning and becomes a source for others expectations. The past especially affects the identity of the African Americans as slavery and discrimination has an influence in the struggle to find a purpose within the world. Mr. Smith ultimately parallels Milkman s life from the beginning as Mr. Smith s blue silk wings must have left their mark (Morrison 9; ch.1). The beginning and ending of the novel opens and closes with the idea of flight. Milkman decides to end his life as the pressures of his friend, Guitar, unwillingness to believe in Milkman leads him to surrender his life in order to gain freedom. In comparison to his great-grandfather s leap, Milkman surrendered to the air and succeeded in riding it (Morrison 337; ch.15). The diction of surrendered shows Milkman s submission to the world and taking freedom with open arms as he rides or controls his path. As Milkman realized at the age of four, there is no such thing as human flight and therefore no such thing as true freedom. Morrison proves this to be true as Milkman ultimately had given his life up from the pressures of a friend. As Milkman previously mentions, you can t even die unless it s about them holds true to his death as he succumbs to man s pressures. However, the illusion of freedom is presented with flight as man attempts to imitate birds, such as when

6 Milkman leaped (Morrison 337; ch.15). Not only does man try to imitate bird s flight, but also imitate freedom as well. The opening scene introduces the major themes of flight, the importance of setting in the struggle for identity, and the effect of the past on the progression of man. Morrison uses these ideas to reveal the condition of the African American community and their struggle to find a purpose as the generation of being property, leads blacks to search for a meaning. Robert Smith s flight sets the expectations for the main message of the novel; man s strive for freedom against opposing forces of the past as well as the world. Works Cited Morrison, Toni. Song of Solomon. New York: Knopf, Print.