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Ian Kuo
Ms. Smit
12 AP English
27 March 2015
Song of Solomon: A Close Read into Personal and Cultural Identity
Tori Morrisons Song of Solomon presents many techniques in which identity can be seen
on many different levels. For example, in the close reading piece of the novel on pages 322 to
324, Morrison brings to light many forms of these identities. One of the broadest identities is of
the culture found in the hills of Virginia. This cultural identity is recognized by all the families
and the children. There, the community has developed gossip, stories legends, [and]
speculations about certain people and places most specifically related to the story of Solomon,
Milkmans great-grandfather (Morrison 323). Rynas Gulch and the song that all the children
seem to sing are among these cultural impacts that show this widespread impact of this one man
on a whole communitys culture. The many allusions to the Bible in this novel connects to
Milkmans Solomon as he is closely resembled to King Solomon found in the Bible. During his
reign, his role as king to created his strong cultural impact especially seen with his infinite
wisdom. This close connection to the Bible is created in order to create a parallel between
religion and culture as a whole. These men became such legends because of the cultural identity
and importance that each person holds to Solomon. Morrison comments on the importance of
cultural identity in all times and the widespread effects that people hold closely to themselves
about certain cultural phenomena, showing it a part of their identity.
On another level, there is a demonstration of personal identity found within this piece.
The importance of the name is seen not just within this section, but throughout the entire book as

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a whole. For example, the name Solomon holds such high importance within this community
that it is seen within those same songs and a big double-headed rock connected to that name
(Morrison 323). As well, the name that Milkmans grandfather holds changed throughout his life
not only because of the Freedmans Bureau, but because of an erroneous registration of
Milkmans grandfather. As a result, his name changed from Jake to Macon as he transitioned
from the baby to the adult (Morrison 322). Macon/Jake was a part of him and when it changed
it represented a new persona seen while in the cave after he and Pilate ran away. The name
represents the person that holds said name as it is a piece of their identity that can never be lost
and that is why it holds such high importance within an individual.

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Song of Solomon: Should it be Considered Part of the Literary Canon?
Song of Solomon should be considered part of the literary canon because of its major
importance to the many controversial themes within historical and present day society. For
instance, one of the major subject matters found within this novel is the idea of slavery and the
rights of African Americans within the United States. Still today, there is still racism that is found
in society like university fraternities chanting racial slurs. However, this idea is universal not to
just African Americans, but is also applicable to many different groups including gays, Asians,
women, and many more oppressed because of society. It is also not just limited to the United
States, but to many places in the world where and racism or any of these movements are
developing.
Morrison comments on racism are universal. For example, this novel describes the inner
operations of The Seven Days to see how the idea of racism is inverted to show African
American racism on whites with unnecessary violence. Four little white girls display this
connotation of innocence that is coupled with a tone of disgust because of such plans to murder
them as revenge. This emphasis on the racism creates a stronger, more universal effect because
of the fact that the descriptions have the perpetrators seeing the racism from a different lens. As
well, these controversial topics of not just racism, but feminism and religion too, are important to
all eras because history is bound to repeat itself and powerful messages like the ones that
Morrison contributes to the world make in Song of Solomon is a necessary addition to the canon
to help educate people and prevent discrimination.

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AP Prompt
Identity is a major part of every person from ones name to their beliefs to their overall
community as a whole whether their city or country. This identity can help to represent a person
as a whole and what he or she might do as a result of a certain event. Select a character whose
personal identity has either furthered or conflicted with his or her desire within the plot of the
novel he or she is present in. Then write a well-organized essay in which you analyze how the
characters identity has influences his or her decisions in the plot of the novel. Do not merely
summarize the plot.

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Work Cited
Morrison, Toni. "Chapter 14." Song of Solomon. New York: Knopf, 1977. 322-24. Print.
S, E. T. "Question 3." A P English Literature and Composition 2014 Free-Response
Questions (n.d.): n. pag. Media.collegeboard.com. College Board. Web. 26 Mar. 2015.