Monday, November 5, 2012

Stories



Stories are a recurring theme in this book. Throughout the book there are stories, and many of these stories are the same, just told by different perspectives. This book shows how stories can shape and influence history. For example at the very beginning of the novel there is the story of the water mark on the dining room table. This mark was there because everyday that her father was alive there was either fresh flowers or a plant. (12) She then goes on to talk about how she "talked endlessly to her daughters and her guests about how to get rid of it..Vaseline, tobacco, juice, iodine.. But her glance was nutritious; the spot became if anything, more pronounced as the years pasts." (11-12) Although this story of the water mark may seem insignificant, it symbolizes Ruth's relationship with her father and how she misses him more and more as the years go on.

One of the most important stories may be the story of the Song of Solomon and Macon Dead Sr. also known as Jack. When Milkman first talks to Susan Byrd she doesn't tell him the true story because her friend grace was there. The second time that Milkman shows up at her door he gets the real story. When Solomon asks about the 'flying Africans' she says "Oh, that's just some old folks' lie they tell around here. Some of those Africans they brought over here as slaves could fly. A lot of them flew back to Africa. The one around here who did was this same Solomon, or Shalimar." (322) This story shows how events have been passed through generations. After learning the truth about Solomon and his grandfather, Milkman finally is able to connect with his past, and finally 'grow up.' This shows how stories can define our lives.

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