Song of Solomon by Tony Morrison essays

Song of Solomon by Tony Morrison essays Toni Morrisons Song of Solomon is considered to be by critics and readers alike one of the most significant novels of the African American literature. It is the creative result of one of the most acclaimed writers of the American cultural scene. The author draws her inspiration and writing motivation from a deep cultural heritage which is quite obvious throughout the novel. In doing so, she makes use of different literary techniques and details which enable her to perfectly express her intensions by drawing up individual and well defined characters and at the same time present her all around perspective on life. In order to best capture the profound meanings of the novel in its entirety, it is important to analyze specific elements of the literary construction. The major theme of the writing can be identified in the desire to fly. It can be said that indeed this is the axis mundi of the novel. The symbolist approach of the flight as means of escaping is used in two parallel constructions, thus creating a repetition at the level of two different generations. The major character in this repetition is Solomon, who is also the one known for his escape from slavery. Solomon was the first black person to escape slavery. The story was that he flew back to Africa. However, his escape has more significance for the structure of the novel. He is seen as a hero by the local community and this perspective also justifies the name of the novel. O Solomon dont leave me here, Cotton balls to choke me. O Solomon dont leave me here, Buckras arms to yoke me. Solomon done fly, Solomon done gone. Solomon cut ac ross the sky, Solomon gone home (Morrison, 1987). It represents mans desire for freedom, from constrains of the society and of the injustice and hardships of life. The same idea is repeated when Robert Smith decides to fly from the roof of the Mercy Hospital. However he fails to achieve his goal...