To me, it seems like as the story progresses, Morrison reveals a lot about very specific things, such as the names of all of the animals on Macon Dead Senior's farm, or opinions that circulate about Macon's car. However she remains mysterious and even seems to present more questions while she answers some. For instance, he never explains to Milkman why he hates his sister so much, or who Guitar is, other than Milkman's friend.
I thought chapter 2 was funny because Morrison gives us everything Macon hates; the other side of the family. Milkman spends a lot of time with "the woman his father had forbidden him to go near," (Pilate) with Guitar.(37) They go to her wine house and get a true glimpse into the lives of his cousins and aunt that he, if under the rules of his father, would never have normally seen. Pilate is also introduced as "the woman who has as much to do with his future as she had with his past." (36) This implication is somewhat confusing to me; it seems as if the author is trying to say that Milkman will be seeing a lot of Pilate in the future, yet they haven't spent any significant amount of time together. Does this mean she'll be equally unimportant going forward? I'm looking forward to seeing more progression with the other half of the Dead family.
I found chapter 2 to be interesting mainly because of the way that it answers some questions while creating more questions that get more specific as the story progresses. For example, in chapter 1 Morrison tells us that there is something more than just a word behind Macon's name, and in chapter 2 we find out were it came from, we also find out more about Reba and Hagar, who were only briefly mentioned previously. At the same time, events in the chapter bring up a whole new series of questions about the death of Macon's father, about his and Pilate's childhood, and a number of other questions.
Chapter two had an interesting change in pace from the first chapter. It put together a more coherent timeline of events surrounding Milkman and the state of the Dead family. The pristine nature of the Dead's car describes the state of the family quite well, a superbly well manicured face, but now real enjoyment or love to be found. The story of Milkman's encounter with Guitar Bains and their venture to Pilate's house gives some insight as to how Macon Dead feels about Pilate. This coupled with Macon's harsh comments towards Ruth on their drive sheds some light on the strange relationship that exists between Macon and these two female characters. -JD Nurme
As the story progresses, Morrison seems to expand on the different characters life, and in doing so, provides the reader with a more coherent order of events. I deffinately think that the book has taken on a vaguely different route, and I am excited to see where it goes. It is very interesting to be taken into the other side of the family, and get a different perspective of each character, as they grow and develop their own futures through the reading.
While reading the second chapter of Song of Solomon I realized that there are conflicts between the Dead family,especially between Macon and Pilate. Morrison is not telling us what happened which seems like a mystery that we the readers have to figure out. Morrison shows how Macon becomes irritated in his son when he comes back from visiting Pilate “Now what were your instructions from me… you told me to stay away…” (pg 50) Something happened between Macon and Pilate because once they were closed Macon carried “her over there… in my arms every morning…” (pg 51).
As I read through the chapter, I loved hearing Milkman's perspective for the first time. He is older than in the first chapter and starts to talk about his interests, while curiously exploring new ones. I really liked his friendship with Guitar and can't wait to see how that progresses. Also, I wonder where his love interest Hagar will go, knowing that she is his cousin. Personally, I find Milkman to be the most interesting character thus far and can't wait to watch him grow up.
There definitely seems to be a growth in Macon Dead's relationship with his son. The first chapter primarily focused on Macon's disdain for his children. In this chapter, however, we start to see Macon open up. Although he will not budge in his demand that Milkman not associate with Pilate, he does begin to tell Milkman about his childhood. Milkman notices that his father's voice has become "more southern and comfortable and soft" (52). This event is hopefully only the beginning of Milkman and Macon's growing bond.
The novel is developing much more in depth on the characters that are being written about. We are learning much more about the family members in Milkman's family, as well as another incest-like relationship. Milkman is heavily attracted to his cousin, Hagar. Before they even speak Milkman is strongly attracted to her, "Milkman had no need to see her face; he had already fallen in love with her behind" (43) We meet Reba, and are given lots of detail about her life and how she "wins everything". The depth in which we know these characters has deepened in the second chapter.
What I've found most interesting in the story as the novel develops is Morrison's very interesting and detailed writing style. Often when she chooses to be flowery and grandiose it is then paired with a more crude subject matter. For example, the scene with Porter and his drunk suicide attempt is a grand event that she describes very delicately, despite his vile actions. The other most interesting aspect is how many ties to other moments there are and she very consciously hints at. For this chapter the most important was the tie between Pilate and Macon as they relate their history, where there are clear similarities in some of the details they shared, but their differences are also clearly pointed out in the fashion in which they told their story. Where Pilate was honest, open, and friendly, Macon was very literal, intense, and above all serious and in control. The similarities were used to tie the two tellings in our head so that we may contrast the two siblings. -Rebecca
In the second chapter, the Song of Solomon begins to develop greatly in terms of character development and the introduction of new characters. In this chapter we are introduced to Macon Dead's sister, Pilate, and her daughter (Reba) and granddaughter (Hagar). We also start to learn more about Macon Dead and his childhood in Montour County, and for the first time we see Macon express some form of paternal love towards Milkman. One method that Morrison uses to introduce essential characters into the story is by the use of spontaneity. This is shown when Pilate is talking to Milkman and Guitar and out of nowhere Hagar arrives home.
The novel is definitely developing more quickly than I had expected it to. From what it seems, Morrison likes to dive right revealing parts of the story, and does so by either giving us traces of the plot without any context or by providing us with detailed stories that make us elaborate on the questions those hints raised. On the same page that we are introduced to "the boy who could not only liberate [Milkman], but could take him to the woman who had as much to do with his future as she had with his past," we not only learn who the boy and woman are, but Milkman defies his father's (also newly introduced) ban and goes to the woman's house. (36) Throughout this chapter, we learn a lot about the background of Pilate and Macon, but also wonder even more about what caused Macon to regard his sister as "a snake". (55)
Through chapter 2, the novel is developing through the characters. Morrison dives deeper into the characters, which reveals a lot more about the book and what to expect. In the car ride for example, we see Milkman's relationship with his family and because of this we are able to understand not only him more, but the book more as well. We are already seeing him mature from that car ride when "he kicked his feet against the underside of the dashboard"(35) to when he met "the girl" and "had already fallen in love with her behind"(43). Just in this one chapter we see a huge development in the characters, which helps move the book forward. -Chloe Fishman
Unlike the first chapter, this second one gives us a lot more information regardingt he Dead family and their relationships/history. Morrison lets us see a completely different side to the relationship between Macon and Milkman. Milkman feels "close and confidential now that his father had talked to him in a relaxed and intimate way". This not only shows us a development in their relationship, but we also get to know more about Macon, and not only see his obstinate exterior. Morrison also makes us wonder why Macon hates his sister so much, because there is certainly some story that he's keeping from his son and family.
I think the mention of the murder of Macon Dead I was my favorite part of the chapter, largely in part because even though it was rarely talked about. Morrison makes in seem it had huge impacts on certain characters, especially Macon Dead Jr. When Milkman comes home after he visits pilate, he expects Macon to be furious, and he is, until he asks about his late father. Also, when Macon Dead Jr. talks about his death, he states that "something wild ran through him." The importance of the event is foreshadowing in a very interesting way, in a manner that takes quality over quantity.
The second chapter provides the reader with more background information on the Dead family. For one it was interesting to find out how the family got the Dead as a name, when Macon's father signed the documents for the Freedman Bureau and the accountant botched the job. It was also interesting how Macon decided to develop a relationship between Milkman and himself. Morrison tells us Macon's thoughts in the line, "He was seeing himself at twelve, standing in Milkman's shoes and feeling what he himself felt for his own father," and then he continues, "Was that what this boy felt for him? Maybe it was time to tell him things," (pg. 50-51) we can see how Macon is realizing that possibly he has been treating Milkman in a wrong way. After that point, Morrison writes about Macon's family in Montour County when they lived there on a farm. In all I really enjoyed reading chapter two, because it was not as strange and actually really interesting to read.
Throughout the novel we seem to lose a sense of time in the sense that we never really know how old the characters are and how much time is passing between all the events. In this chapter we get to see how Milkman is growing and forming his own opinions. He questions his fathers motives and reasons and tries to puzzle together what happened to his father to make him be this way, asking "Is that the way your father treated you when you were twelve?" (50) Morrison makes Milkman seem older than he is in this scene with Macon which makes it that much harder to realize how much time actually is going by. -Bianca Dempsey
Besides focusing on very awkward/disturbing family issues, Morrison deals a lot with the African American enrollment in the white society. Macon seems very optimistic that one day many african americans will live in the beach town but "Magdalene called Lena" doesn't seem to think so. She says that the town has "white people houses" in a tone that makes the reader assume that she either doesn't want to live with whites, or feels like they don't want her. I think Morrison brings up a very good point that in the 70's when this book was written, or even today, we are not near to having completed the transformation into one egalitarian society. Why do we still see only "Black" or only "White" communities? Is it because one doesn't want the other? or is it because we simply just don't want to get along?
The novel is becoming increasingly focused on names. People seem to define who they are through their name and be proud of it. Mrs. Bains at the beginning insists that the nurse know her grandchild's name is Guitar. The Dead family choses their children's names randomly in an impersonal method. The real name of Macon Dead the first is never revealed and neither is the name of the mother of Macon and Pilate. It could be that people who are attached to their names are also attached to their families, like Guitar, and people who have impersonal names aren't like Macon and Pilate. At first Milkman says he hates his real name, Macon Dead, but then he was defensive of it with Pilate. Maybe this is forshawoding a connection Milkman feels with his family in the furture. ~Lily
The novel seems to be changing from a vague present sense to a far more detailed story that gives lots of evidence from the past to explain emotions of characters who used to be very emotionless. One instance of this is when Macon explains his father's story to Milkman and talks about how we loved his sister, yet he calls her a "snake" (54). The story goes even deeper as to show how Macon might had past angers for the death and trickery his father suffered through as a younger man.
Morrison progresses the novel from chapter one to chapter two. In chapter one, Morrison gives disjointed pieces of information and describes multiple seemingly disconnected characters. In chapter two, Morrison starts to connect the characters and background information from chapter one. She also ends the second chapter foreshadowing what the next couple of chapters are going to be about: the conflict between Macon Dead Jr. and his sister Pilate.
I preferred chapter 2 to chapter one simply because i feel its less chaotic and more simplistic. I like that we finally get to explore a little about the family relationships (though I still don't quite understand why Pilate and the father are feuding). I thought meeting Reba was actually a little comical because she just had such great luck that obviously was not available to everyone in this rural town. The entire scene is just absurd and comical because, not only does Reba win everything, but she is idolized by her mother and Grandmother. There's also a section where they burst into song so... it's great.
Morrison seems to continually toss into the story random bits of information. There are definite motifs that keep coming up, and there are other things that we can expect to eventually be of some importance. One of these is pee, which is very odd and seems to be a constant issue; Milkman throws a temper tantrum because he says, "I have to go!" Another recurring theme is names and the curious origins of Macon Dead. Another curious event is the Milkman turning around before he's finished peeing, "almost as though there were no future to be had." Morrison keeps hinting at a number of strange things, and I have little doubt that they will come back to be very important. -Josh Slavin
In chapter 2, beyond the years going by (Milkman is now 12 instead of 4) the story straightens out a little bit. There's less confusing structure because we know who these characters are now, and we get more backstory from Macon Dead and Pilate. Morrison also uses a sort of folk tale storytelling, especially with Macon's story at the end (see snake story) and there is still an obsession with names. I like this so far, and it's definitely going to interesting places. ~Daniel Krane
This chapter deepens the background information about that play and what we know about the history of the characters and much more about their thoughts and past that have made them they way they are today. One of Toni's methods is that she writes very repetitively. Every single time she mentioned Magdalena she would then go on to say how she is called Lena. Also, she has Pilate tell the story of her childhood and then later again has Macon tell the same story about their childhood only slightly different. Ella MacVeagh
Chapter 2 reveals a great deal more about the characters. This chapter was easier to understand and I really enjoyed learning more about each character. For Example, Macon's softer side was revealed in his conversation with Milkman after he went to his aunt's house. I had really hated Macon's irrational hatred of everything and his dictatorial running of the family but after seeing him come out I came to sympathize with him, seeing his softer side. After learning more about Pilate I am now wondering why she is he way she is and also why she is off limits to Milkman. It seems at one point they loved each other but Macon likens her to a snake which is not only dangerous as an animal but in a biblical sense (snake in eden) diabolical, a tempter. She may also like the snake of eden, try to tempt the boy from his father (God) or teach him information as the apple did for Adam.
Chapter 2 focuses on the Macon siblings and gives a lot of backstory, and was helpful to me in understanding the vast amount of complicated and mysterious information presented in Chapter 1. Macon's anger and line of business are more understandable after we learn how his father died. We also get to see Macon's sensitive side as he fondly remembers his childhood on the farm. Pilate seems a little detached from reality. Macon tells how his father was tricked and then murdered for his land, whereas Pilate simply says he was shot five feet into the air. Pilate seems sympathetic, but she is mysterious and so I took Macon's warning, that she is treacherous as a snake, seriously. Pilates the Snake is accumulating unfavorable Biblical associations at the rate of one a chapter.
The story is beginning to be transformed to a previously brief and unclear overview to a more in-depth and more involved story, linking characters together and inter twining different people and events. Milkman and Guitar's friendship seems to be further developing as they both go to visit a woman that Guitar knows and who Milkman knows of, Pilate. When Milkman and Guitar go see Pilate, the plot is definitely progressed considering you learn about Pilate and her brother Macon's relationship. I felt that it was interesting and very telling how Pilate thinks of her brother, contrasting with how Macon regards Pilate. "Macon was a nice boy and awful good to me." This seems to foreshadow a future explanation of what happened to Macon and Pilate's relationship, and why Macon has such a negative attitude towards her. The story is definitely becoming more layered as the book progresses.
It was interesting to see relationships and characters further developed through chapter 2. I Noticed that Morrison's descriptions of characters are generally told through another character, for example the reader pictures Hagar and Pilate through Milkman's observations and perceptions of them. I was also interested by the contrast between the 2 sides of the Dead family. The cold and comtemptuous Macon is so different than the mysterious earth woman, Pilate, which is strange given they lived through the same traumatic events. The chapter left me wondering what came between them. ~Marie Kolarik
As the story progresses, the timeline becomes more linear and easier to follow as Morrison elaborates on many of the themes central to the first chapter. There is, of course, the significance of names (both of people and of things): Macon's car is referred to as "Macon Dead's hearse," (33) Milkman becomes "possessive about his name" (37) and Macon refers to Pilate as a "snake" (54). There is also the issue of family relationships and family history. This chapter was a lot easier to understand since it contained more backstory, and this clarified at least a large portion of the information or events of the first chapter. However, there are still several things that are unclear (most of them having to do with Pilate and Macon's resentment of her).
So far, the plot of the novel ahs served mainly to jump-start a few prominent themes. The most obvious is the issue of race, with frequent mentions of whites’ places in society in relation to blacks. There is a long anecdote about Reba’s winning the diamond ring at Sears, and it demonstrates explicitly offense at the second winners’ picture being taken on account of him being white. This same anecdote also touches on another prominent theme, which is the issue of gender. But this particular chapter expands to a few new themes. One is education, which is introduced when Pilate criticizes the boys’ use of “hi”. Another, more important theme is the issue of capitalism. The two obviously intelligent siblings are presented as the two extreme sides of the issue. Pilate is poor and satisfied. She is “unkempt … but not dirty” and she only does that which it takes to support her family (38). Macon, on the other hand, sees the “one important thing” as “own[ing] things” (55). This fundamental difference is the reason for the siblings’ animosity. Although no conflicts in terms of plot are thus far revealed, the major issues of the book are already laid out clearly. A perfect introduction.
Now after having read chapter 2, the novel is developing into a much clearer picture. Morrison's tactic of jumping back and forth between time periods, and not explaining everything that happens left us initially very confused. Now Morrison is filling us in on some of those details, such as the Dead family's history( Macon senior specifically). However, even tough we know have a better overall picture, Morrison is still jumping through time. Now in chapter two Milkman is 12, whereas in chapter 1 he was still a toddler, young enough to pee on his sister's lap.
I noticed a gradual increase of details in things that might not have needed it. It had started harmlessly enough when Milkman was looking around Pilate's room, a "moss-green sack", "newspaper articles and magazine pictures" "candles [stuck] in bottles" (39). But then it got weirder and even painful. The narrator describing a scene is one thing, but when a character takes half a page to describe how to make the perfect soft-boiled egg, "the water and egg have to meet each other on [equal standing]" the size of the bubbles "big as peas and just before [marbles]" (39), something has happened. Then it goes into Milkman's mind where he spends a third of a page describing Pilate's voice, "pebble-y". Interesting imagery but it gets a bit tiring.
As I continue to read. I notice that Morrison often takes a step back from the story and gives her own personal input and narration. The most common way she does this is by very obvious foreshadowing that is clearly on a different track than the main progression of the story. Morrison comments that Milkman is going along "almost as though there were no future to be had." (35) By doing this she gives us her own personal insight through the use of foreshadowing. A more dramatic example of what I am talking about is when she continues by saying that Milkman's while the "future did not arrive, the present did extend itself". (35) This is clearly said from Morrison's perspective and it is interesting that she is able to take this step back without causing too much trouble for the reader.
As this novel developes we see Macon's relationship with his family evolve. In the beginning of the novel Macon had a complex relationship with his family and his child (Milkman) with contempt. However, as the novel progresses in Chapter 2 Macon begins to confide in Milkman by telling him about his childhood and creating a more personal relationship with him.
As I get further into the Song of Solomon, I find it to me somewhat like a roller coaster; there are many spin, doesn't lose its novelty, but ultimately returns to its origin. The most obvious example of this is Pilate singing "O Sugarman done fly me away" (6 and 49) at Milkman's birth and later when he visits her house. between the repeated song there are many twists and turns, but the same characters (Pilate and Milkman) always seem to return to one another. Interestingly, this seems to be hinted at in the song where the Sugarman (Milkman?) is "done fly away... done gone" (49) hinting their separation, yet finally is "gone home," (49) suggesting them reuniting after "cut[ing] across the sky" (49) similar to what one would observe viewing a roller coaster above on its tracks. Colby
Morrison often focuses on the concept of family within the book. Even though Macon doesn't want his son to see his sister, Pilate, ever, Morrison makes it happen. Following Milkman's encounter with his aunt, Macon realizes that family can't be such a bad thing and therefore acknowledges that Milkman feels left out and should be included in the family. Macon then proceeds to tell Milkman of his childhood and starts to bond with him.
As the book goes on, Pilate's importance (and the importance of her house) increases to play a prominent roll as a haven for Milkman. Milkman meets Pilate, "the woman who had as much to do with his future as she had his past" with Guitar for the first time (36). Morrison foreshadows immensely here and lets the reader know that Pilate will continue to play a significant roll in Milkman's "liberation." -Anna
morrison's way of telling the story is interesting; the plot line is not linear. she jumps from time to time and from one story to another. She then uses pilate to tell stories. she uses stories to show the dynamics between the characters and slowly reveal more about their personalities and how they came to be that way. she focuses a lot on names and food - Anya
Toni Morrison really seems to be one of those authors who actually chooses certain language for specific reasons, so there is a purpose to dissecting the techniques and language that she uses. There seems to be strange reappearances of certain topics. Also this chapter really develops Milkman's character. He has begun to discover more of his family, but seems to have a lot of the same personality traits as his father (unfortunately). In the scene where he is peeing, however, he has this fear of looking back. And I believe this is one of those things Morrison did on purpose to show that Milkman, wont really focus on his future because he is still fearful of his curiosity of the past (i.e finding out his family history)
I think a lot of things in this story indicate the abnormal tendencies of this author. She includes all these random details in the book, such as all of the weird dynamics in the family. Macon Jr. doesn't want Milkman to visit Pilate. Earlier, in the previous chapter, we learn the relationship between the two parents is weird, with this whole naked scene leading up to Macon's disgust for his wife, and her being left sexually unsatisfied. Here, in the second chapter, Macon talks about how he hadn't thought about his past in years, as he "had not even reminisced much about it recently."(51) It also results in some emotion from him, which is normally absent, as he "paused and let the smile come on." Soon, he returns to calling his sister a "snake" and barring Milkman from seeing her. I think, though strange, the abnormalities do add some character to the book. Maybe, this is the genius behind Morrison's book, and in me, the reader, it's causing a mixture of personal disgust while also making me intrigued.
Morrison has an odd way of prioritizing the details in the novel. For example, she makes of lot of historical as well as cultural references but neglects to provide the reader with enough details regarding the specific lives of characters. The lack of chronological order makes the book slightly confusing. -Ofir Lebenthal
In Chapter 2, when the Dead family is in the car, headed to the beach community where Macon (Sr) is thinking of investing, we see a moment of high familial tension between Macon and his wife. When Milkman has to pee, Ruth asks her husband who should take him, he replies curtly, with a decisive "Not you." Personally, I found this incredibly uncomfortable, because it alludes to Macon's knowledge of his wife's inapropriate relationship with her son. Morisson is slowly letting on to the fact that there is something Macon knows that we don't, building a tension in the novel that makes us feel a little on edge about what to think about the characters. We don't know if we should pity Macon, or his family. -Lena
When reading chapter 2, I noticed the sharp contrast between Pilate's family and Macon's family. When Guitar and Milkman are at Pilate's house, the pages are full of stories and songs. We learn more about Milkman's family history than the rest of the book combined. Then when Milkman returns home, it is back to the same lack of communication: after a long argument, Milkman thinks to himself, "his father had explained nothing."(55) There were also a lot of incestuous traits "passed on" from Ruth to her children. For example, when Macon comes home, Lena and Cointhians' are the only ones who "were genuinely happy."(31) This is nostalgic of Ruth's inappropriate attachment with her father. Also, Milkman indicates that he is "in love" (47) with Hagar, his cousin. The secretive and incestuous traits of Macon's family are quite obviously dysfunctional. They are most likely major factors in the strange and polar personalities of all the family members.
The second chapter seemed like an entire new book than the first chapter. The first chapter was quite bland whereas the second chapter was more of a quicker read. The characters began to develop more, Milkman and Guitar hang out and Pilate tells him about Macon and Macon Sr. Also, the plot begins to take off as Milkman falls in love with Hagar. I thought it was kind of interesting how Pilate kind of snaps at her children and nephew explaining the difference between siblings and cousins, "I mean what's the difference in the way you act toward 'em? Don't you have to act the same way to both?" and then tells Reba to shut up. I thought that was a strange scene. Does Pilate not want Milkman and Hagar to treat each other like cousins? whats so bad about being cousins? -Jack Corcoran
To me, it seems like as the story progresses, Morrison reveals a lot about very specific things, such as the names of all of the animals on Macon Dead Senior's farm, or opinions that circulate about Macon's car. However she remains mysterious and even seems to present more questions while she answers some. For instance, he never explains to Milkman why he hates his sister so much, or who Guitar is, other than Milkman's friend.
ReplyDeleteI thought chapter 2 was funny because Morrison gives us everything Macon hates; the other side of the family. Milkman spends a lot of time with "the woman his father had forbidden him to go near," (Pilate) with Guitar.(37) They go to her wine house and get a true glimpse into the lives of his cousins and aunt that he, if under the rules of his father, would never have normally seen. Pilate is also introduced as "the woman who has as much to do with his future as she had with his past." (36) This implication is somewhat confusing to me; it seems as if the author is trying to say that Milkman will be seeing a lot of Pilate in the future, yet they haven't spent any significant amount of time together. Does this mean she'll be equally unimportant going forward? I'm looking forward to seeing more progression with the other half of the Dead family.
ReplyDeleteI found chapter 2 to be interesting mainly because of the way that it answers some questions while creating more questions that get more specific as the story progresses. For example, in chapter 1 Morrison tells us that there is something more than just a word behind Macon's name, and in chapter 2 we find out were it came from, we also find out more about Reba and Hagar, who were only briefly mentioned previously. At the same time, events in the chapter bring up a whole new series of questions about the death of Macon's father, about his and Pilate's childhood, and a number of other questions.
ReplyDeleteChapter two had an interesting change in pace from the first chapter. It put together a more coherent timeline of events surrounding Milkman and the state of the Dead family. The pristine nature of the Dead's car describes the state of the family quite well, a superbly well manicured face, but now real enjoyment or love to be found. The story of Milkman's encounter with Guitar Bains and their venture to Pilate's house gives some insight as to how Macon Dead feels about Pilate. This coupled with Macon's harsh comments towards Ruth on their drive sheds some light on the strange relationship that exists between Macon and these two female characters.
ReplyDelete-JD Nurme
As the story progresses, Morrison seems to expand on the different characters life, and in doing so, provides the reader with a more coherent order of events. I deffinately think that the book has taken on a vaguely different route, and I am excited to see where it goes. It is very interesting to be taken into the other side of the family, and get a different perspective of each character, as they grow and develop their own futures through the reading.
ReplyDelete-Chris
While reading the second chapter of Song of Solomon I realized that there are conflicts between the Dead family,especially between Macon and Pilate. Morrison is not telling us what happened which seems like a mystery that we the readers have to figure out. Morrison shows how Macon becomes irritated in his son when he comes back from visiting Pilate “Now what were your instructions from me… you told me to stay away…” (pg 50) Something happened between Macon and Pilate because once they were closed Macon carried “her over there… in my arms every morning…” (pg 51).
ReplyDeleteAs I read through the chapter, I loved hearing Milkman's perspective for the first time. He is older than in the first chapter and starts to talk about his interests, while curiously exploring new ones. I really liked his friendship with Guitar and can't wait to see how that progresses. Also, I wonder where his love interest Hagar will go, knowing that she is his cousin. Personally, I find Milkman to be the most interesting character thus far and can't wait to watch him grow up.
ReplyDeleteThere definitely seems to be a growth in Macon Dead's relationship with his son. The first chapter primarily focused on Macon's disdain for his children. In this chapter, however, we start to see Macon open up. Although he will not budge in his demand that Milkman not associate with Pilate, he does begin to tell Milkman about his childhood. Milkman notices that his father's voice has become "more southern and comfortable and soft" (52). This event is hopefully only the beginning of Milkman and Macon's growing bond.
ReplyDeleteThe novel is developing much more in depth on the characters that are being written about. We are learning much more about the family members in Milkman's family, as well as another incest-like relationship. Milkman is heavily attracted to his cousin, Hagar. Before they even speak Milkman is strongly attracted to her, "Milkman had no need to see her face; he had already fallen in love with her behind" (43) We meet Reba, and are given lots of detail about her life and how she "wins everything". The depth in which we know these characters has deepened in the second chapter.
ReplyDeleteWhat I've found most interesting in the story as the novel develops is Morrison's very interesting and detailed writing style. Often when she chooses to be flowery and grandiose it is then paired with a more crude subject matter. For example, the scene with Porter and his drunk suicide attempt is a grand event that she describes very delicately, despite his vile actions. The other most interesting aspect is how many ties to other moments there are and she very consciously hints at. For this chapter the most important was the tie between Pilate and Macon as they relate their history, where there are clear similarities in some of the details they shared, but their differences are also clearly pointed out in the fashion in which they told their story. Where Pilate was honest, open, and friendly, Macon was very literal, intense, and above all serious and in control. The similarities were used to tie the two tellings in our head so that we may contrast the two siblings.
ReplyDelete-Rebecca
In the second chapter, the Song of Solomon begins to develop greatly in terms of character development and the introduction of new characters. In this chapter we are introduced to Macon Dead's sister, Pilate, and her daughter (Reba) and granddaughter (Hagar). We also start to learn more about Macon Dead and his childhood in Montour County, and for the first time we see Macon express some form of paternal love towards Milkman. One method that Morrison uses to introduce essential characters into the story is by the use of spontaneity. This is shown when Pilate is talking to Milkman and Guitar and out of nowhere Hagar arrives home.
ReplyDeleteCorey Grill
The novel is definitely developing more quickly than I had expected it to. From what it seems, Morrison likes to dive right revealing parts of the story, and does so by either giving us traces of the plot without any context or by providing us with detailed stories that make us elaborate on the questions those hints raised. On the same page that we are introduced to "the boy who could not only liberate [Milkman], but could take him to the woman who had as much to do with his future as she had with his past," we not only learn who the boy and woman are, but Milkman defies his father's (also newly introduced) ban and goes to the woman's house. (36) Throughout this chapter, we learn a lot about the background of Pilate and Macon, but also wonder even more about what caused Macon to regard his sister as "a snake". (55)
ReplyDeleteThrough chapter 2, the novel is developing through the characters. Morrison dives deeper into the characters, which reveals a lot more about the book and what to expect. In the car ride for example, we see Milkman's relationship with his family and because of this we are able to understand not only him more, but the book more as well. We are already seeing him mature from that car ride when "he kicked his feet against the underside of the dashboard"(35) to when he met "the girl" and "had already fallen in love with her behind"(43). Just in this one chapter we see a huge development in the characters, which helps move the book forward.
ReplyDelete-Chloe Fishman
Unlike the first chapter, this second one gives us a lot more information regardingt he Dead family and their relationships/history. Morrison lets us see a completely different side to the relationship between Macon and Milkman. Milkman feels "close and confidential now that his father had talked to him in a relaxed and intimate way". This not only shows us a development in their relationship, but we also get to know more about Macon, and not only see his obstinate exterior. Morrison also makes us wonder why Macon hates his sister so much, because there is certainly some story that he's keeping from his son and family.
ReplyDeleteI think the mention of the murder of Macon Dead I was my favorite part of the chapter, largely in part because even though it was rarely talked about. Morrison makes in seem it had huge impacts on certain characters, especially Macon Dead Jr. When Milkman comes home after he visits pilate, he expects Macon to be furious, and he is, until he asks about his late father. Also, when Macon Dead Jr. talks about his death, he states that "something wild ran through him." The importance of the event is foreshadowing in a very interesting way, in a manner that takes quality over quantity.
ReplyDelete- Sam KW
The second chapter provides the reader with more background information on the Dead family. For one it was interesting to find out how the family got the Dead as a name, when Macon's father signed the documents for the Freedman Bureau and the accountant botched the job. It was also interesting how Macon decided to develop a relationship between Milkman and himself. Morrison tells us Macon's thoughts in the line, "He was seeing himself at twelve, standing in Milkman's shoes and feeling what he himself felt for his own father," and then he continues, "Was that what this boy felt for him? Maybe it was time to tell him things," (pg. 50-51) we can see how Macon is realizing that possibly he has been treating Milkman in a wrong way. After that point, Morrison writes about Macon's family in Montour County when they lived there on a farm. In all I really enjoyed reading chapter two, because it was not as strange and actually really interesting to read.
ReplyDelete-Ayan Noyan
Throughout the novel we seem to lose a sense of time in the sense that we never really know how old the characters are and how much time is passing between all the events. In this chapter we get to see how Milkman is growing and forming his own opinions. He questions his fathers motives and reasons and tries to puzzle together what happened to his father to make him be this way, asking "Is that the way your father treated you when you were twelve?" (50) Morrison makes Milkman seem older than he is in this scene with Macon which makes it that much harder to realize how much time actually is going by.
ReplyDelete-Bianca Dempsey
Besides focusing on very awkward/disturbing family issues, Morrison deals a lot with the African American enrollment in the white society. Macon seems very optimistic that one day many african americans will live in the beach town but "Magdalene called Lena" doesn't seem to think so. She says that the town has "white people houses" in a tone that makes the reader assume that she either doesn't want to live with whites, or feels like they don't want her.
ReplyDeleteI think Morrison brings up a very good point that in the 70's when this book was written, or even today, we are not near to having completed the transformation into one egalitarian society. Why do we still see only "Black" or only "White" communities? Is it because one doesn't want the other? or is it because we simply just don't want to get along?
-Keinan
The novel is becoming increasingly focused on names. People seem to define who they are through their name and be proud of it. Mrs. Bains at the beginning insists that the nurse know her grandchild's name is Guitar. The Dead family choses their children's names randomly in an impersonal method. The real name of Macon Dead the first is never revealed and neither is the name of the mother of Macon and Pilate. It could be that people who are attached to their names are also attached to their families, like Guitar, and people who have impersonal names aren't like Macon and Pilate. At first Milkman says he hates his real name, Macon Dead, but then he was defensive of it with Pilate. Maybe this is forshawoding a connection Milkman feels with his family in the furture.
ReplyDelete~Lily
The novel seems to be changing from a vague present sense to a far more detailed story that gives lots of evidence from the past to explain emotions of characters who used to be very emotionless. One instance of this is when Macon explains his father's story to Milkman and talks about how we loved his sister, yet he calls her a "snake" (54). The story goes even deeper as to show how Macon might had past angers for the death and trickery his father suffered through as a younger man.
ReplyDeleteMorrison progresses the novel from chapter one to chapter two. In chapter one, Morrison gives disjointed pieces of information and describes multiple seemingly disconnected characters. In chapter two, Morrison starts to connect the characters and background information from chapter one. She also ends the second chapter foreshadowing what the next couple of chapters are going to be about: the conflict between Macon Dead Jr. and his sister Pilate.
ReplyDeleteI preferred chapter 2 to chapter one simply because i feel its less chaotic and more simplistic. I like that we finally get to explore a little about the family relationships (though I still don't quite understand why Pilate and the father are feuding). I thought meeting Reba was actually a little comical because she just had such great luck that obviously was not available to everyone in this rural town. The entire scene is just absurd and comical because, not only does Reba win everything, but she is idolized by her mother and Grandmother. There's also a section where they burst into song so... it's great.
ReplyDelete-Danielle
Morrison seems to continually toss into the story random bits of information. There are definite motifs that keep coming up, and there are other things that we can expect to eventually be of some importance. One of these is pee, which is very odd and seems to be a constant issue; Milkman throws a temper tantrum because he says, "I have to go!" Another recurring theme is names and the curious origins of Macon Dead. Another curious event is the Milkman turning around before he's finished peeing, "almost as though there were no future to be had." Morrison keeps hinting at a number of strange things, and I have little doubt that they will come back to be very important.
ReplyDelete-Josh Slavin
In chapter 2, beyond the years going by (Milkman is now 12 instead of 4) the story straightens out a little bit. There's less confusing structure because we know who these characters are now, and we get more backstory from Macon Dead and Pilate. Morrison also uses a sort of folk tale storytelling, especially with Macon's story at the end (see snake story) and there is still an obsession with names. I like this so far, and it's definitely going to interesting places.
ReplyDelete~Daniel Krane
This chapter deepens the background information about that play and what we know about the history of the characters and much more about their thoughts and past that have made them they way they are today. One of Toni's methods is that she writes very repetitively. Every single time she mentioned Magdalena she would then go on to say how she is called Lena. Also, she has Pilate tell the story of her childhood and then later again has Macon tell the same story about their childhood only slightly different.
ReplyDeleteElla MacVeagh
Chapter 2 reveals a great deal more about the characters. This chapter was easier to understand and I really enjoyed learning more about each character. For Example, Macon's softer side was revealed in his conversation with Milkman after he went to his aunt's house. I had really hated Macon's irrational hatred of everything and his dictatorial running of the family but after seeing him come out I came to sympathize with him, seeing his softer side. After learning more about Pilate I am now wondering why she is he way she is and also why she is off limits to Milkman. It seems at one point they loved each other but Macon likens her to a snake which is not only dangerous as an animal but in a biblical sense (snake in eden) diabolical, a tempter. She may also like the snake of eden, try to tempt the boy from his father (God) or teach him information as the apple did for Adam.
ReplyDeleteChapter 2 focuses on the Macon siblings and gives a lot of backstory, and was helpful to me in understanding the vast amount of complicated and mysterious information presented in Chapter 1. Macon's anger and line of business are more understandable after we learn how his father died. We also get to see Macon's sensitive side as he fondly remembers his childhood on the farm. Pilate seems a little detached from reality. Macon tells how his father was tricked and then murdered for his land, whereas Pilate simply says he was shot five feet into the air. Pilate seems sympathetic, but she is mysterious and so I took Macon's warning, that she is treacherous as a snake, seriously. Pilates the Snake is accumulating unfavorable Biblical associations at the rate of one a chapter.
ReplyDeleteThe story is beginning to be transformed to a previously brief and unclear overview to a more in-depth and more involved story, linking characters together and inter twining different people and events. Milkman and Guitar's friendship seems to be further developing as they both go to visit a woman that Guitar knows and who Milkman knows of, Pilate. When Milkman and Guitar go see Pilate, the plot is definitely progressed considering you learn about Pilate and her brother Macon's relationship. I felt that it was interesting and very telling how Pilate thinks of her brother, contrasting with how Macon regards Pilate. "Macon was a nice boy and awful good to me." This seems to foreshadow a future explanation of what happened to Macon and Pilate's relationship, and why Macon has such a negative attitude towards her. The story is definitely becoming more layered as the book progresses.
ReplyDelete-Jordan Bayer
It was interesting to see relationships and characters further developed through chapter 2. I Noticed that Morrison's descriptions of characters are generally told through another character, for example the reader pictures Hagar and Pilate through Milkman's observations and perceptions of them. I was also interested by the contrast between the 2 sides of the Dead family. The cold and comtemptuous Macon is so different than the mysterious earth woman, Pilate, which is strange given they lived through the same traumatic events. The chapter left me wondering what came between them.
ReplyDelete~Marie Kolarik
As the story progresses, the timeline becomes more linear and easier to follow as Morrison elaborates on many of the themes central to the first chapter. There is, of course, the significance of names (both of people and of things): Macon's car is referred to as "Macon Dead's hearse," (33) Milkman becomes "possessive about his name" (37) and Macon refers to Pilate as a "snake" (54). There is also the issue of family relationships and family history. This chapter was a lot easier to understand since it contained more backstory, and this clarified at least a large portion of the information or events of the first chapter. However, there are still several things that are unclear (most of them having to do with Pilate and Macon's resentment of her).
ReplyDeleteSo far, the plot of the novel ahs served mainly to jump-start a few prominent themes. The most obvious is the issue of race, with frequent mentions of whites’ places in society in relation to blacks. There is a long anecdote about Reba’s winning the diamond ring at Sears, and it demonstrates explicitly offense at the second winners’ picture being taken on account of him being white. This same anecdote also touches on another prominent theme, which is the issue of gender. But this particular chapter expands to a few new themes. One is education, which is introduced when Pilate criticizes the boys’ use of “hi”. Another, more important theme is the issue of capitalism. The two obviously intelligent siblings are presented as the two extreme sides of the issue. Pilate is poor and satisfied. She is “unkempt … but not dirty” and she only does that which it takes to support her family (38). Macon, on the other hand, sees the “one important thing” as “own[ing] things” (55). This fundamental difference is the reason for the siblings’ animosity. Although no conflicts in terms of plot are thus far revealed, the major issues of the book are already laid out clearly. A perfect introduction.
ReplyDeleteNow after having read chapter 2, the novel is developing into a much clearer picture. Morrison's tactic of jumping back and forth between time periods, and not explaining everything that happens left us initially very confused. Now Morrison is filling us in on some of those details, such as the Dead family's history( Macon senior specifically). However, even tough we know have a better overall picture, Morrison is still jumping through time. Now in chapter two Milkman is 12, whereas in chapter 1 he was still a toddler, young enough to pee on his sister's lap.
ReplyDelete-- Gabby St Pierre
I noticed a gradual increase of details in things that might not have needed it. It had started harmlessly enough when Milkman was looking around Pilate's room, a "moss-green sack", "newspaper articles and magazine pictures" "candles [stuck] in bottles" (39). But then it got weirder and even painful. The narrator describing a scene is one thing, but when a character takes half a page to describe how to make the perfect soft-boiled egg, "the water and egg have to meet each other on [equal standing]" the size of the bubbles "big as peas and just before [marbles]" (39), something has happened. Then it goes into Milkman's mind where he spends a third of a page describing Pilate's voice, "pebble-y". Interesting imagery but it gets a bit tiring.
ReplyDelete-Sam P.
As I continue to read. I notice that Morrison often takes a step back from the story and gives her own personal input and narration. The most common way she does this is by very obvious foreshadowing that is clearly on a different track than the main progression of the story. Morrison comments that Milkman is going along "almost as though there were no future to be had." (35) By doing this she gives us her own personal insight through the use of foreshadowing. A more dramatic example of what I am talking about is when she continues by saying that Milkman's while the "future did not arrive, the present did extend itself". (35) This is clearly said from Morrison's perspective and it is interesting that she is able to take this step back without causing too much trouble for the reader.
ReplyDeleteAs this novel developes we see Macon's relationship with his family evolve. In the beginning of the novel Macon had a complex relationship with his family and his child (Milkman) with contempt. However, as the novel progresses in Chapter 2 Macon begins to confide in Milkman by telling him about his childhood and creating a more personal relationship with him.
ReplyDeleteAs I get further into the Song of Solomon, I find it to me somewhat like a roller coaster; there are many spin, doesn't lose its novelty, but ultimately returns to its origin. The most obvious example of this is Pilate singing "O Sugarman done fly me away" (6 and 49) at Milkman's birth and later when he visits her house. between the repeated song there are many twists and turns, but the same characters (Pilate and Milkman) always seem to return to one another. Interestingly, this seems to be hinted at in the song where the Sugarman (Milkman?) is "done fly away... done gone" (49) hinting their separation, yet finally is "gone home," (49) suggesting them reuniting after "cut[ing] across the sky" (49) similar to what one would observe viewing a roller coaster above on its tracks.
ReplyDeleteColby
Morrison often focuses on the concept of family within the book. Even though Macon doesn't want his son to see his sister, Pilate, ever, Morrison makes it happen. Following Milkman's encounter with his aunt, Macon realizes that family can't be such a bad thing and therefore acknowledges that Milkman feels left out and should be included in the family. Macon then proceeds to tell Milkman of his childhood and starts to bond with him.
ReplyDeleteJosef
As the book goes on, Pilate's importance (and the importance of her house) increases to play a prominent roll as a haven for Milkman. Milkman meets Pilate, "the woman who had as much to do with his future as she had his past" with Guitar for the first time (36). Morrison foreshadows immensely here and lets the reader know that Pilate will continue to play a significant roll in Milkman's "liberation."
ReplyDelete-Anna
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ReplyDeletemorrison's way of telling the story is interesting; the plot line is not linear. she jumps from time to time and from one story to another. She then uses pilate to tell stories. she uses stories to show the dynamics between the characters and slowly reveal more about their personalities and how they came to be that way. she focuses a lot on names and food
ReplyDelete- Anya
Toni Morrison really seems to be one of those authors who actually chooses certain language for specific reasons, so there is a purpose to dissecting the techniques and language that she uses. There seems to be strange reappearances of certain topics. Also this chapter really develops Milkman's character. He has begun to discover more of his family, but seems to have a lot of the same personality traits as his father (unfortunately). In the scene where he is peeing, however, he has this fear of looking back. And I believe this is one of those things Morrison did on purpose to show that Milkman, wont really focus on his future because he is still fearful of his curiosity of the past (i.e finding out his family history)
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of things in this story indicate the abnormal tendencies of this author. She includes all these random details in the book, such as all of the weird dynamics in the family. Macon Jr. doesn't want Milkman to visit Pilate. Earlier, in the previous chapter, we learn the relationship between the two parents is weird, with this whole naked scene leading up to Macon's disgust for his wife, and her being left sexually unsatisfied. Here, in the second chapter, Macon talks about how he hadn't thought about his past in years, as he "had not even reminisced much about it recently."(51) It also results in some emotion from him, which is normally absent, as he "paused and let the smile come on." Soon, he returns to calling his sister a "snake" and barring Milkman from seeing her. I think, though strange, the abnormalities do add some character to the book. Maybe, this is the genius behind Morrison's book, and in me, the reader, it's causing a mixture of personal disgust while also making me intrigued.
ReplyDeleteMorrison has an odd way of prioritizing the details in the novel. For example, she makes of lot of historical as well as cultural references but neglects to provide the reader with enough details regarding the specific lives of characters. The lack of chronological order makes the book slightly confusing.
ReplyDelete-Ofir Lebenthal
In Chapter 2, when the Dead family is in the car, headed to the beach community where Macon (Sr) is thinking of investing, we see a moment of high familial tension between Macon and his wife. When Milkman has to pee, Ruth asks her husband who should take him, he replies curtly, with a decisive "Not you." Personally, I found this incredibly uncomfortable, because it alludes to Macon's knowledge of his wife's inapropriate relationship with her son. Morisson is slowly letting on to the fact that there is something Macon knows that we don't, building a tension in the novel that makes us feel a little on edge about what to think about the characters. We don't know if we should pity Macon, or his family.
ReplyDelete-Lena
When reading chapter 2, I noticed the sharp contrast between Pilate's family and Macon's family. When Guitar and Milkman are at Pilate's house, the pages are full of stories and songs. We learn more about Milkman's family history than the rest of the book combined. Then when Milkman returns home, it is back to the same lack of communication: after a long argument, Milkman thinks to himself, "his father had explained nothing."(55) There were also a lot of incestuous traits "passed on" from Ruth to her children. For example, when Macon comes home, Lena and Cointhians' are the only ones who "were genuinely happy."(31) This is nostalgic of Ruth's inappropriate attachment with her father. Also, Milkman indicates that he is "in love" (47) with Hagar, his cousin. The secretive and incestuous traits of Macon's family are quite obviously dysfunctional. They are most likely major factors in the strange and polar personalities of all the family members.
ReplyDelete-Pema
The second chapter seemed like an entire new book than the first chapter. The first chapter was quite bland whereas the second chapter was more of a quicker read. The characters began to develop more, Milkman and Guitar hang out and Pilate tells him about Macon and Macon Sr. Also, the plot begins to take off as Milkman falls in love with Hagar. I thought it was kind of interesting how Pilate kind of snaps at her children and nephew explaining the difference between siblings and cousins, "I mean what's the difference in the way you act toward 'em? Don't you have to act the same way to both?" and then tells Reba to shut up. I thought that was a strange scene. Does Pilate not want Milkman and Hagar to treat each other like cousins? whats so bad about being cousins?
ReplyDelete-Jack Corcoran