Song Of Solomon: Money And Discrimination

The names that Morrison incorporates into her story are very strange. There are names from the bible like Pilate, Magdalene, and First Corinthians. These names were not given to each character in Song Of Solomon (which also includes a biblical name) by coincidence. Maybe the fact that they had once been slaves had made them very religious. Also all of the female names in the Dead family have biblical allusions. Religion must be a very important part of their lives and the biblical references will be continued throughout the novel. Macon and Milkman are the only males in the Dead family and both of their names start with the letter M. Money starts with the letter m and Macon is obsessed about it. The fact that Morrison chose that both of these names started with the letter m, suggests that they will end up in a close relationship with money. Regardless of sharing a similar name, Macon and Milkman are very different. According to Morrison: "Macon wore bow ties; Milkman wore four-in-hands. Macon didn't part his hair; Milkman had a part shaves into his. Macon hated tobacco; Milkman tried to put a cigarette in his mouth every fifteen minutes. Macon hoarded his money; Milkman gave his away" (pg.63). They differ greatly in many aspects of their lives. They even differ in the way they spend their money. Macon and Milkman represent opposite sides of using money. Macon saves and hoards his money while Milkman uses it up quickly and gives it away.

Racial discrimination presents itself all along the book because of the society it takes place in. Free slaves were able to start their new life in the north but the racial differences between the white and the black are still very marked. This is due to the fact that the idea that white people and black people are equal was pretty new. It can't be expected that in a small amount of time society's conception of equality will change. In fact many injustices and faults have to be committed in order for the laws of equality to sink into people's brains. For example, when Hagar says, "Can if the winner is Reba, the only reason they got a second was cause she was first. And the only reason they gave it to her was because of the cameras" (Morrison, 46). It shocks me greatly how there had to be a second place for a white man. In addition, this was done only to be able to take pictures of him. Witnesses were the only way for justice to play its role. What would have happened if there were no cameras to testify that Reba had won? Probably the prize wouldn't have gone to her but to the next costumer to enter the store. The racial injustices and discriminations committed were vast and it is certain that throughout this novel Morrison finds a way to expose the discriminations made.