Saturday, November 3, 2012

Naming in the "Song of Solomon"

Throughout the book, names are symbols of liberation and oppression. Take Milkman, for example, who was named because he was seen being breastfed by his mother at an abnormal age. He is known as Milkman for the remainder of the novel, and the fact that his nickname describes him better than his real name (Macon) shows that written names are questionable. Rather, names are given through oral tradition; take, for example, Mains Avenue. After Dr. Foster's death, the street is known as "Not Doctor Street." It is in this way that names are a symbol for oppression, because the names hold some of these people back from knowing who they truly are.

However, names are also representative of liberation, because when Milkman finds out his grandfather's true name he begins to feel proud of his family history.

Pilate, who is Macon Dead Jr.'s sister, was named by placing a pin randomly in a Bible, and the name that was put by the pin was the name that the child would get. The pin happened to land on Pilate, from Pontius Pilate, who oversaw the execution of Jesus. Although the name had a negative connotation, Pilate herself was exactly the opposite. Her name is a homonym for "pilot", which is related to flying and freedom.

Pilate carries alot of value in her name; she carries her name in a snuffbox in her ear because she knows that is provides inspiration and sustenance for her and her children. Just as Pilate caries her name around as her identity, Milkman also carries around his story after his transformation as part of his identity.

--Deshna Majmudar

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