Motifs in Literature 🧐

●​ A motif is a repeated concept, idea, image, setting, or character trait that recurs
throughout a work.
○​ Tracking motifs can be very helpful, especially when analyzing complex

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texts like Song of Solomon.
Race and Class in Song of Solomon
●​ Based on previous discussions, two major motifs in Song of Solomon are race
and class.
○​ The novel focuses on the Dead family, who have attained the American
dream, representing upper-class African Americans.
○​ The story explores the intersections and tensions between their financial
success and racial identity in the pre-Civil Rights Movement era

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(1930s-1960s).
African American Literature Beyond Privation
●​ Margot Jefferson's memoir explores her experience growing up in a similar
family.
○​ There is often a misconception in the white majority that African American
literature and experience are solely about privation, poverty, and struggle.
○​ This is not always the case.
●​ Examples:
○​ Sag Harbor: Benji's family has both a Manhattan house and a Sag Harbor
house.
○​ Their Eyes Were Watching God: Depicts the struggles of subsistence
farmers and agricultural workers.
○​ Fences: Troy Maxson, a garbage man in the 1950s-60s, earns a
comfortable living through union wages, enabling him to support his family

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and achieve his version of the American Dream.
Intersection of Race and Class
●​ Song of Solomon examines the intersection of an upper-class African American

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family and their consciousness of race.
The "Rich Kid" Stereotype
●​ Stereotypes and cliches associated with "rich kids" or those from abundant
communities:
○​ Entitlement
○​ Ignorance of other people's living situations
○​ Tone-deafness
○​ A tendency to take the easiest path
■​ This is exemplified by the protagonist, Milkman Dead, who initially
chooses the easy, softer way due to his privileged background.
○​ More opportunities to make mistakes with fewer consequences
Nuances of Race and Class 🗣️
●​ Entitled lives do not prevent or salve racial wounds; sometimes, they exacerbate
them.
●​ Upper-class African Americans may have fewer chances to fail and fewer
choices compared to their white counterparts.
●​ Characters may achieve the American Dream but still lack a sense of ease or

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comfort due to racial issues.
Themes in Song of Solomon
This section covers the prominent themes and motifs present in Toni Morrison's Song of
Solomon, providing a deeper understanding of the novel's exploration of race, class,

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identity, and the African American experience.
Black Excellence and its Discontents
Morrison explores the complex and potentially damaging effects of pursuing black
excellence as a means of overcoming racial injustice.
Living a life as an exemplar of black excellence can have a psychic effect nearly as
deadening and dehumanizing as that of racial injustice itself.
Characters who achieve socioeconomic success and maintain a facade of perfection
may suffer from internal struggles and emotional detachment. The pressure to avoid
showing any "cracks" or vulnerabilities can be detrimental to their well-being.
The Privilege of Depression
Morrison suggests that black women are often denied "the privilege of freely yielding to
depression." Unlike figures like Sylvia Plath, who could openly express their mental
health struggles, African American women in positions of power and success may feel

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constrained from displaying any signs of weakness.
Capitalism's Impact
The novel examines the role of capitalism in the African American community,
particularly considering its historical connection to the Atlantic slave trade. Morrison
questions whether capitalism is a healthy and nurturing system for African Americans,
and explores its potential side effects.
Isolation
One significant consequence of capitalism explored in the novel is isolation.
Characters become detached from one another, struggling to find a sense of belonging
and identity. Milkman's journey throughout the book exemplifies this theme, as he

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grapples with his own isolation and seeks to understand his place in the world.
The Motif of Flight
The concept of flight appears throughout the text in various forms:
●​ Literal flight: Actual instances of flying.
●​ Metaphorical flight: Escape from difficult situations or emotional burdens.
●​ Mythical flight: Rooted in the myth of the flying African, a symbol of freedom
and resistance.
✨ Magic and the Supernatural
Morrison incorporates elements of magic and the supernatural into the narrative,
blurring the lines between reality and the mystical. These elements may serve various
purposes, such as adding depth to the story, challenging perceptions, or exploring the
characters' inner worlds. Readers are encouraged to consider the significance and

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authenticity of these magical occurrences.
Incest as a Byproduct of Isolation
The novel addresses the theme of incest, portraying it not as a result of inherent
depravity, but rather as a consequence of loneliness and isolation. Characters may
engage in incestuous relationships due to a lack of emotional connection and

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meaningful relationships with others.
Names and Naming
Names and naming carry significant weight and importance in Toni Morrison's novel.

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Consider the understandings and stories behind the characters' names as you read.
Focus on Male Characters
Toni Morrison's first two books were written from a female point of view, both in terms
of characterization and narrative style. However, in this book, she attempts to

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understand men and their experiences.
Classical Literature
Morrison was a literature major and a classics minor at Howard University. Her love
for ancient Greek literature, particularly The Odyssey, influences this text. You will

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find elements of The Odyssey in the novel.
Analysis of the Text
This novel is incredibly rewarding. Every sentence is rich with meaning. Even if you
don't have the same experience with the book as the professor, close attention to every
sentence, clause, and phrase will reward you. Toni Morrison is one of America's

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greatest prose writers.
Milkman as Telemachus?
Consider whether Milkman is like Telemachus from The Odyssey. Parallels may exist

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up to a certain point, then stop.
Family Secrets
Similar to what Margaret Jefferson discussed, pay attention to family secrets in the
novel. People from the 30s to the 60s, particularly upper-class African Americans, faced
immense pressure and could not openly discuss their psychological defeats due to the

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high stakes and limited opportunities compared to white individuals.
Privilege vs. Entitlement
Privilege is provisionary and can be denied, withheld, offered grudgingly, and similarly
withdrawn.
Entitlement is a more inherent right that is harder to revoke.
Privilege can be taken away, whereas entitlement is more deeply ingrained.
Pressure on Upper Class African Americans
Upper-class African Americans in the pre-Civil Rights and pre-Voting Rights Act era
faced immense pressure. Mistakes could have significant consequences due to the

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scrutiny of the community.
Wealth as a Blessing or a Curse?
Consider whether the Dead family's wealth is more of a curse or a gift. Does it bring

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more opportunities or isolate them from their community?
Cold War Context
Growing up in the 40s and 50s, Toni Morrison was influenced by the Cold War and the

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promotion of the American and capitalist way.
Civil Rights and Equality
Morrison began her career as an intellectual in the 40s, 50s, and 60s, a time when
black people were not accorded full rights and were legally second-class citizens. Her
work puts this notion on trial.
Historical Context: Soviet Russia
In the 40s, 50s, and 60s, some African-American artists and intellectuals visited or
connected to Soviet Russia due to their discontent with the American situation.
Reconstruction
America abandoned the project of Reconstruction after only five years, a decision that
had significant consequences. Some argue that the fight for Reconstruction continues to
this day.