Finally I finished Song of Solomon. First a reflection this book is very powerful in the beginning you feel like you are getting a lot of information that doesn’t seem to fit together but as you reach the end all the pieces begin to fall in place. There is a large emphasis on flying throughout this book, how Milkman’s ancestor Solomon flew back to Africa, how Pilate his aunt could fly without leaving the ground. Milkman had such fascination with flying. The day he was born the town loon jumped off the hospital, so it has a sort of connection to Milkman for the rest of his life. In the last couple chapters Milkman searched for his family history, he finally finds out the story of Solomon. How he was related to a man who could fly! He also learns about Solomon’s wife, how she went crazy after he left. Hagar dies of a broken heart after Milkman leaves, Milkman never truly loved her but she unravels after he leaves. “You don't hear about woman like that anymore but they're used to be more -than kind of woman who couldn't live without a particular man. And when the man left, they lost their minds, or died or something. Love, I guess.” This is an ironic line because that is discussing Solomon’s wife, not Hagar. But it is showing a similarity between the two men, generations apart they could make women go mad. It shows how in today’s world so many people go through so many “loves” in search of the right one. But love is something that just happens it takes work and patience and the ability to work through the hard times. The end result is worth it.
While you read this book you think Milkman is going to find himself and be able to fit back into his community with no problem, well surprise! He doesn’t but he makes himself a new place for him to belong. He takes Pilate back to Shalimar for her to bury her father’s remains. Guitar still upset about not getting the gold that was never there, shoots Pilate. While Pilate dies she asks Milkman to sing to her, he does he has found his strength. He stands up and calls out to Guitar, while Guitar takes aim; Milkman surrenders himself to the wind and flies away.
“Milkman stopped waving and narrowed his eyes. He could just make out Guitar’s head and shoulders in the dark. “You want my life?” Milkman was not shouting now. “You need it? Here.” Without wiping away the tears, taking a deep breath, or even bending his knees-he leaped. As fleet and bright as a lodestar he wheeled toward Guitar and it did not matter which one of them would give up his ghost in the killing arms of his brother. For now he knew what Shalimar knew: If you surrendered to the air, you could ride it.” Milkman and Guitar had talked often about how everyone wants or needs something from their life. Their love, respect, responsibility, all of the things the men were selfish about and wanted to keep for themselves. In this moment Guitar decides to keep himself and Milkman loses himself, he takes the leap into a life that will be new and fulfilling.
“Now he knew why he loved her so. Without ever leaving the ground, he could fly.” This is probably my favorite line in the whole book. How can one fly without leaving the ground? Their spirit could fly! Being able to leave behind the struggles and now that in this moment they can do anything that want. Not worrying about how other’s see you but knowing in yourself who you are. That is who I want to be, to fly without leaving the ground.
This a fabulous book, it may take a little heart to read but it is well worth it.
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