Bittersweet Novel

Morrison exposes the complexity of a reality in which extraordinary events take place. Ambiguity is the basis for Song of Solomon’s being. We can see this through the troubled behavior of Hagar,Macon III, Milkman.

Hagar loves Milkman desperately, creating a conflict between love and hatred. Her constant disposition for Milkman later on becomes and obsessive behavior that leads to aggressiveness. Thus, proving how ambiguity within a character is notable in the novel.

Morrison juxtaposes the inner conflicts of these characters throughout the novel. Macon III seems to have a strong character, where ambition and insecurity coexist at different levels.

-Nerve

An example of Macon's nerve is the agressive and merciless manner in which he hits his wife.

-Fear

“He didn’t like to look at them in this light…”

The scenario’s description mentions ghosts and how Macon III is afraid of looking around him. Not only a physical event but also a figurative aspect. It’s a metaphor for Macon III’s fear to open-up and confront reality.

Milkman is the most contradictory character. In his search for purpose he starts of as an immature man and finally reaches maturity.

-Immaturity

“The decision he made would be extremely important, but the way in which he made the decision would be careless, haphazard, and uninformed.” ( pg 69-70)

This quote reflects Milkman’s behavior at the beginning of the novel. He is aware of the importance of things but he is not conscious of his actions. His ideas and actions conflict and show his immature facet.

-Maturity

“Breathless, he reached for his cigarettes and found them soaked. He lay back on the grass and let the high sunshine warm him. He opened his mouth so the clear air could bathe his tongue.” (pg 240)

This physical cleansing or purging is also figurative. Milkman is becoming aware of how his actions are the bases of his future. He is know conscious that he must act in accordance to reflection. The whole description of the setting alludes to Paradise.

“He was only his breath, coming slower now, and his thoughts. The rest of him had disappeared. So the thoughts came, unobstructed by other people, by things, even by the sight of himself.” (pg 277)

This metaphysical experience shows Milkman’s formation to be almost completed. He overcomes outside distractions and obstacles and realizes that he himself, was one impediment to reach his purpose in life.

This metaphysical experience shows Milkman’s formation to be almost completed. He overcomes outside distractions and obstacles and realizes that he himself was one impediment to reach his purpose in life.

Song of Solomon is juxtaposition within juxtapositions. It deals with metacognition since it is a Bildungsroman novel. We are ale to see Milkman’s path to maturity as we as readers follow this formative journey. Within Morrison’s narrative opposites interact in harmony such as fantasy and reality.

Fantasy and Reality: An Acute Blend

[magic realism] Sometimes it’s difficult to write a blog when my computer is floating around my room. I won’t chase it around. If it wants to fly, well, let it fly. I’ll give it my best shot but I don’t promise anything, typos are recurrent when it goes on a “tangen”. It’s been a tough day. As I rode the bus back home I saw my grandfather’s face on the stoplights red bulb. You know this only occurs to people when something bad is going to happen, it’s a premonition. Events like these piss me off, I try to be calm but I just want some rest. Yesterday I ate too many algebra books for dinner and perhaps this is the reason for my grumpy mood. Mom always says, “don’t wait the last minute to eat your subjects” but as you know, I’m 17 and that’s what we teenagers do. A1e-1r353327888888

[1 hour and 89 days later]

Damn it, I fell asleep again while blogging. Ok well, I’m not quite sure what I was blogging about before this lapsus… So… I’ll talk about philosophy. I’m reading Heidegger and we are discussing “Why is the Being rather than nothing?” Well, I think it’s the Being what matters because “nothing” is nothing, meaning it doesn’t exist. And probably (this is just an opinion) we, beings, care only about facts, things, everything, the Being. Therefore, we wouldn’t contemplate something non-existent, it doesn’t matter, it’d be: useless. I’m trying to digest Heidegger’s text slowly, I don’t want another stomach ache. Well I guess I’ll go to sleep now.

First Impressions: The Beginings Of Magic Realism

[Reality] Immediate connection, ‘BANG’, Song of Solomon… Cien Años De Soledad, WOAH, magic realism. My understanding of this literary movement is: elements of fantasy and reality are merged to create a credible yet imaginative novel. Both Morrison and Garcia Marquez accomplish to combine mundane and extraordinary, walking and flying, living and ghosts in a verisimilitudinous manner.

Morrison’s magic realism focuses on flight (motif), allusions to the bible, and supernatural events as major components of the novel. Morrison exposes the complexity of a reality in which extraordinary events take place.

Alienation: The solution to the unknown

Have you ever started to play COD when you find your math homework is too difficult? Or have you ever felt like ignoring your teacher’s lecture and decide to do paper planes? Well, I assume most of us have. And this is why Conrad uses Kurtz and Marlow as examples of alienated characters when facing difficulties. To understand alienation as a reaction to complex situations we must take a look at both character’s minds.

Marlow’s Mind:

I’ve been taught values, to help ones peer and that we (Europeans) civilize savage natives. But if I was taught to help, should I aid a savage? I don’t really understand if color makes us different, but I see that our behavior is different. I know irrationality is erroneous; however, I was never taught if different meant inferior. I can’t help feeling disgust for the inhuman treatment towards these natives. This is indeed a dilemma I must face, I’m not sure if I should follow my tradition or my convictions? If perhaps, my instincts are indeed correct and my culture is irrational. I feel I don’t belong on either side, I feel trapped in a Heart of Darkness.

Kurtz:

I’ve been here way too long and I can’t stand it anymore. I have the power to create my own society, to be above others. I have a duty and I should fulfill my task; however, I have the opportunity to separate myself from my peers. Not only separate: but become superior. Living in this place has giving me the opportunity to change my life abruptly. My condition depends on my actions and indeed I feel confused. I consider power a scarce resource and perhaps I shall take advantage of it.

As we see the thoughts of Conrad’s troubled characters we feel related to them. Yes, it is normal behavior to alienate when we feel we don’t belong somewhere. But, we as humans may solve these conflicts through reflection. Thinking takes more effort than daydreaming. After reading Heart of Darkness I feel Romantic, I feel we must revive our society.

Conrad's Effect

After reading The Age of Discovery, prologue and Chapter 19 of King Leopold´s Ghost And Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad I have once again seen symbols as key elements of literature. When it comes to a novels analysis s I aim for subtle literary devices and symbols. However, some novels are focused on rhetorical devices that standout of the novels content per se. In Heart of Darkness I perceived symbols and imagery as Conrad’s strongest points, which portray deeper ideas and enhance romanticism within his novel.

The black and white imagery combined with paradigm shift are effective techniques to portray Marlow’s mentality. By paradigm shift I mean that at first white is considered as complete, perfect, clean and black is seen as unknown, adverse, incomplete. However, as Marlow searches for Kurtz we see his interaction with the natives and Europeans as a sign of change in his mentality. Therefore, Conrad is using paradigm shifting since Marlow now considers white as violent, baseless, irrational and black as complete and virtuous. The novel began with vivid descriptions of nature and ends with philosophical dilemmas. I consider that Conrad’s use of imagery and symbolism portrays a strong critic to discrimination and colonization. These is best understood after reading The “White Man’s Burden” and “The Black Man’s Burden”, where irony is used in favor of white mentality and black perspective respectively.