Song Of Solomon Research Paper

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Sophie de Lavandeyra Miriam Walden American Literature -2 May 14, 2024 Navigating Love and Hate in Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon In Song of Solomon, Toni Morrison transports us into a realm where human emotions guide the fate of her characters. Through her narrative, Morrison explores the potent forces of love, obsession, and hate, depicting their profound impact on identity amidst the societal and racial upheaval. The novel positions these emotional drives as central to the characters’ experiences, illustrating how personal development and the quest for collective understanding are intrinsically linked to dynamic and often conflicting feelings. At its core, the novel reveals the complexity between the deepest passions, the pursuit of self-discovery, …show more content…
In the book Song of Solomon, many family relationships seem too close. One of these is Hagar and Milkman, who are second cousins. When Milkman first met Hagar, it was a true embodiment of love at first sight, a beautiful woman five years older than him. She held the power, but that shifted as time passed and Milkman grew up. He became in control of her emotions, not necessarily her, as she was still living independently from him. Hagar’s love for Milkman is described as an “anaconda love” (137), illustrating her constraining and suffocative attachment. This love is a self-destructive obsession, highlighted further by the reference to “The predator that lived inside her'' (136), depicting her inner turmoil and the detrimental effects of her unrequited love. However, Hagar’s societal position influences her perception of love. Hagar’s societal position, stained by racial and gender-based oppression, significantly wraps her perception of love, making it a pipe for validation and escape from her marginalized status. Her unyielding love for Milkman is a craving for personal affection and an attempt to carve out a sense of worth and identity within a society that renders her visible. This skewed perception drives her to conflate love with obsession, showcasing how systemic societal neglect and discrimination can distort one’s understanding and pursuit of
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