Song of Solomon In-Class Essay Questions

I am not requiring you to hand in a pre-write; however, you might find the pre-write questions useful in helping you come up with a good outline. Because this is the last essay of the semester, there will not be the opportunity to revise. Keep this in mind as you prepare for the in-class essay.

Reminders:

§ Ground your essay in close textual reading of the novel. As with the other essays we’ve written, you must think of every aspect of the novel as a choice that Morrison made. Avoid plot summary and instead look at the literary elements and techniques Morrison employs so deftly in Song of Solomon. I suggest that you do the backwards process we’ve discussed of making observations and just re-examining parts of the book, then coming up with a thesis from there.

§ Also, I will be looking for all the skills of essay writing we’ve looked at this semester: development, strong introductions, short textual quotes (no block quotes) and strong body paragraphs.

Choose one of the following questions. You may come to class with a one-page outline and your book.

Essay Topics:

1. Choosing a specific chapter or the revelation of specific parts of Milkman’s past, discuss Morrison’s nonlinear style of narrative. Why does she choose to reveal certain stories when she does? What purpose does it serve? Why are certain events told in order and others in a fragmented way?

2. Contrast two versions of an event or story told to Milkman. Two examples are: Ruth kissing the Doctor’s fingers, Macon I’s death. What is significant about their differences and similarities? Is there a truth? If not, how do the two versions contribute to Milkman’s development or other themes in the novel? Although this essay topic involves a close reading of two passages, you must consider your argument within the context of all the events of the novel.

3. “Perhaps that’s what all human relationships boiled down to: Would you save my life? Or would you take it?” (331). Milkman has this thought at the end of the book. Who is trying to kill whom and why? Who has tried to take or save Milkman’s life or others’ lives? What is the relationship between love and death/murder in the novel? To examine these questions, choose specific events or characters, or something concrete like the Seven Days.

4. Flight is an obvious motif of the novel. There are numerous instances, references, and moments when flight is spoken of, dreamed about, or attempted. Choose carefully examples and discuss the role flight plays in the novel, in the lives of the characters. Is it always good? Always bad? What does it represent? How does it connect to the myths and folklore we looked at when we first started the book?