Revival of Cultural Identity: in Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon

Abstract

Toni Morrison is an American woman writer who has excavated the unwritten history of African people. She has presented the southern American lives facing many problems dealing with race and color. The blacks are natural singer and they have preserved their history in song and myth. They sing the song of pain and happiness in the same manner. The protagonist's unwitting visit to the ancestral home Pennsylvania recreates his history. Milkman who is young and corrupted with the poison of his father's money later is relieved by the love of his Aunt Pilate. His short leg suggests his oddity in the society. He never respects his people. He uses them as a source of pleasure and fulfills his necessities. The green bagsignals his travel to the south. He follows the path which his Aunt once visited. He sees his parental property and witnesses the culture of black people. He feels proud of being the offspring of Solomon who Pilate calls 'Sugerman'. He participates in hunting games and learns compassion and love. He even loves the prostitute. He is really happy to learn that his ancestor could fly. From his childhood he thinks of flying. At the end he remembers his family, misses them. He is sorry for the past deeds. He rides the air at last. If one surrenders the air wholeheartedly he can ride it well. He follows the path of his great grand father who is supposed to reach African home by flying. His recounting of past and respecting other revives is history. He lives complete life rather than fractured and distorted American life.