Song of Solomon
Daniel Barnes 04-01-04 AP English IV It’s Been A Long, Strange, Trip . . . “Pilate, have I got stuff to tell you”, Milkman exclaims to Pilate before she cracks his head with a “Whack!” That does of reality is necessary to come full circle in his detoured investigation. Milkman’s first mystery involves the pursuit of gold, but he is intrigued by the possibility of discovering his origins, his heritage, and the ambitious goal of learning to fly. Along the path to gold and glory, Milkman learns a multitude of life lessons, including the mystery of his roots, maturity, and how to “drop all the shit before he could fly.” Milkman learns of his faults from Lena, who in sheer anger and frustration lays out Milkman by telling him “I don’t make roses anymore, and you have pissed your last in this house.” This incident pauses him, and sets the stage for an upcoming life journey. He is not matured yet, though. Initially, Milkman is enthralled with the possibility of finding gold and becoming rich. Gold is pivotal to the plot of the story; it is important to different people for different reasons. Three people desire a portion of the wealth, and all three have different motives. Milkman, the protagonist of the novel, needs the gold independence of his father. He wants his own money, his own life, his independence from his father, and can use the money to venture out on his own. Milkman’s father, Macon, wants the gold because of his need for money and power, as well as keeping it from Pilate, Macon’s sister. Guitar, Milkman’s former best buddy and member of the radical black activist group Seven Days, covets the gold so he can buy some explosives to blow up little white girls in church. The mystery of “where is the gold” originates from a green maudlin hanging up in Pilate’s house.