Names

The reasons how people and places in “Song of Solomon” get their names is very significant. There are some obvious names such as Milkman’s name. Freddie the janitor saw his Milkman’s mother Ruth, breastfeeding him at an unusual age. But there are some names where more research needs to be done and you need to further analyze the name. One name that struck me was the title of the book itself: “Song of Solomon.” There are many instances in the book that are tied to the story of Song of Solomon in the Bible. For example, Solomon (Milkman’s great grandfather) abandons his wife Ryna and it is said that you can still here her cries. This is similar to the Bible because the husband leaves his wife and she is filled with sadness. In the Bible, the story is a lyrical poem about a husband and wife. It demonstrates God’s design of marriage and how man and woman must live together and love each other spiritually, emotionally, and physically. This is also similar to Pilate’s story. She loved the man who she had a child with and he even offered to marry her. But she leaves him because she is ashamed of the fact that she has no navel. Again, this is similar to the Bible because when difficulties arise, someone leaves. The last reason why I think Toni Morrison title the book “Song of Solomon” is because singing and songs are a very repetitive part of the book. At the very start, Pilate is singing in a very large crowd. And in the end, Milkman breaks down and analyzes a song that he heard Pilate and some little girls singing. He starts to understand a little more about his past and he has a realization. Again, this is similar to the Bible because after the husband and wife reunite, they realize their love for each other and sing. The title “Song of Solomon” has a reason behind it. And that reason can be found by looking at the Bible and analyzing the characters’ past.




Emmelynn Gu