Throughout the first half of Song of Solomon, Milkman is the epitome of an immature young man drifting aimlessly through life. Having “stretched his carefree boyhood out for thirty-one years,” he is content to go “wherever the party is.” Although he functions as the novel’s protagonist, he is not a […]
Read more Character Analysis Macon Milkman” Dead”Summary and Analysis Part 2: Chapter 15
Summary Milkman returns to Shalimar, finds Sweet, and convinces her to go swimming with him in a nearby river, where he excitedly tells her what he has discovered about his ancestors. Then he boards a bus and heads back to Michigan. On the way, he thinks about his experiences and […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Chapter 15Summary and Analysis Part 2: Chapter 14
Summary Milkman returns to Susan Byrd’s house to ask her about Jake, and Susan tells him the story of Jake’s father, Solomon, the Flying African. She also tells Milkman that although the townspeople were led to believe that Sing Byrd (whose real name was Singing Bird) left Shalimar to attend […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Chapter 14Summary and Analysis Part 2: Chapter 13
Summary In a flashback to the beginning of Chapter 6, Guitar returns to his home to find Hagar in a state of shock following her aborted attempt to kill Milkman. He carries her outside, then borrows a car to drive her home. During the drive, he tries to console her, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Chapter 13Summary and Analysis Part 2: Chapter 12
Summary Milkman visits Susan Byrd, who tells him only that her father, Crowell Byrd, had a sister named Sing. On his way back to town, Milkman runs into Guitar, who accuses him of trying to cheat him out of the gold. Guitar warns Milkman that he still intends to kill […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Chapter 12Summary and Analysis Part 2: Chapter 11
Summary Milkman arrives in Virginia and asks for directions to Charlemagne. After several unsuccessful attempts, he learns that the correct name for the town he is seeking is Shalimar. He buys an old car and continues on his journey, only to have the car break down in front of Solomon’s […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Chapter 11Summary and Analysis Part 2: Chapter 10
Summary As Milkman stumbles through a forest headed toward a “big crumbling house,” he recalls his airplane flight from Michigan to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and then his bus ride from Pittsburgh to Danville. He also relives his last conversation with Guitar before leaving home and the series of events that prompted […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Chapter 10Summary and Analysis Part 1: Chapter 9
Summary Overwhelmed by the emptiness of her life, Corinthians decides to go to work. However, unable to find a professional position despite having attended college for three years, she finally accepts a position as a maid in the home of Michael-Mary Graham, the State Poet Laureate. Ashamed that she has […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: Chapter 9Summary and Analysis Part 1: Chapter 8
Summary Milkman tells Guitar about his plan to steal Pilate’s gold, and Guitar agrees to help him. Although Milkman realizes that he doesn’t really need Guitar’s help, he is inspired by Guitar’s sense of fearlessness and his passion for living life “on the cutting edge.” The next day, the friends […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: Chapter 8Summary and Analysis Part 1: Chapter 7
Summary Milkman tries to persuade his father to support him financially for a year so that he can travel and find his own niche in life. In return, he offers to work for free for one year upon his return. Macon dismisses Milkman’s offer, insisting that he needs Milkman to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: Chapter 7