What is Morrison's objective when naming her characters?

I believe Morrison's objective when naming her characters is ti give them depth based on the Bible. For example the Biblical figure Ruth was "a model of loving-kindness" and that "she acts in ways that promote the well-being of others." She is both loyal and obedient. In Song of Solomon Ruth is obedient to Macon's orders because she is better off withstanding the physical and psychological pain than being poor in such a harsh moment for African-Americans. I believe Ruth is complex because I'm not sure if what she does "promotes the well-being of others" or just avoids including her children in her fights.  

Hagar, on the other hand, was a slave. When her mistress and her husband realized they were unable to have children, the husband impregnated her. She realized this and hated her mistress. Because of this the mistress mistreated her and Hagar fled. I have not finished the book but might think Hagar may flee Pilate's house. That's my prediction. We'll see that it is fulfilled. 

Tree Woman

Not too relevant, but Hagar reminds me of my mom. Milkman says she's one of those people who like everything and prefer nothing." Just like my mom, who likes music but doesn't listen to it, likes doing sports but never practices any of them. Just a small anecdote.

More on Hagar, Milkman's lack of interest in Hagar because she was so easy is like working hard to reach a goal. When your finally achieve it, it lacks all purpose. 

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One of the questions we decided we would ask Morrison about the book was related to the recurrent topic of female weakness. On page 96 Hagar and Milkman are discussing how Pilate slightly stabbed the guy Reba was dating because he hit her. Hagar is convinced women are very weak and aren't able to protect themselves unless they are as big as Pilate who is the size of a tree (Milkman's words!). I'll be on the lookout for more mentions of this topic.

Commas Save Lives

"Dangling modifier." Ever sice I wrote my research paper on portmanteau words I pay more attention to the parts that compose a term, their dennotation, and connotation. "Dangling" has a vague connotation and to modifiy is to change. My wild guess would be that a dangling modifier causes a slight and vague change.

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 I must accept I expected the article to just explain what a dangling modifier is. But, being AP Lang, nothing goes straight to the point. From what I understood, a dangling modifier is related to the inclusion of an extra phrase which modifies the meaning of what's being said in a not-so vague way. I did have to Google it. I believe the wrong use of commas is also part of the problem because:

 

COMMAS SAVE LIVES!

 

 

  

Obsessive Chicks

Marina and the Diamonds, a band, has this song titled “Obsessions.” This has been an important topic in history. Narcissus was obsessed with himself. Rumor has it that Sting wrote "Every Breath You Take" because he had a crazy fan. If you pay attention to Blondie's "One Way or Another" you'll notice they are a little creepy. Check out the 10 Top Creepiest Love Songs. Even like girls and guys nowadays, Pilate was obsessed with Milkman. She passed that very thin line between a lover and an obsessed person. Her passion reached a level in which murdering him was the only option she had since her maniac feelings weren’t returned. This scenario is not only uncomfortable for the whole family, since these two are blood-related, but for Ruth too. Milkman’s mother, the reason for which Milkman has such a nickname, is oh-so jealous. There seems to be lots of intimacy between parents and chidden in the storyline and this may be no coincidence. Ruth is the common denominator. She is a complex character, manipulating those around her and she is kind of a maniac herself and poor Milkman had to endure this until an old age. Poor guy.

The Hearse of Language

Since the exam is so close right now, I unintentionally pay more attention to literary figures and new vocabulary. For example, of page 38 I found a weird oxymoron:

"Again Guitar spoke up. 'You his daddy's sister?'"

"The only one he got. Ain't but three Deads alive."

Since Dead is a last name I'm not sure if it still counts but included it anyways.

In terms of new vocabulary, I found the word "hearse" in the following context:

"Other than the bright and roving eyes of Magdalene called Lena and First Corinthians, the Packard had no real lived life at all. So they called it Macon Dead's hearse."

Only from context I infer it is obviously a negative word. I don't know why I relate with the word "burden." Anyways, I'm super wrong. A hearse is a vehicle for conveying the coffin at a funeral. And what a vehicle. Woopsies!

Lastly, Pilate's granddaughter, Hagar, has quite a name. She is quite humble and doesn't have much, thus her name reminds me of the word haggard. The latter means "looking exhausted and unwell." Who knows, Hagar might be a portmanteau of the terms haggard and beggar! Both the meaning and spelling fit. I then read on and the Milkman's description of Hagar is so pleasant I now doubt the meaning I gave to the name. With more context things will clear up.

Oddity and Familiarity

I know Mr. Tangen hates Harry Potter, but I can't help but notice similarities between Percy Weasley and Macon Dead. Macon is the main character, and I wasn't surprised that as the book progresses he has opened up and become more human. Even though he cares a lot about his reputation, money, and property, when he approaches Pilate's house to hear the music Macon exposes weakness. The omnipotent narrator lets us know how he feels. In the Harry Potter series, Percy only cares about rules, he is harsh and serious and his pride denies his return to the Weasley's embrace. At the end he is ashamed and returns to his family. "It all starts and ends with family." Even Lilo and Stitch know this. 

Pilate, Reba, and Hagar all remind me of Colombian mothers who form matriarchal families. They are often left by their significant other when pregnant and many times lead lowly lives. Strangely, Pilate has no belly button, which I relate with humanity and motherhood. This trait is very fantastical since nobody can be born without the umbilical cord. This might represent how other-wordly Pilate seems, "this lady who had one earring, no navel, and looked like a tall black tree." (39)

Odd enough don't you think?

Song of a King

In my mind, Solomon is a very Biblical name. In Wikipedia's mind as well. Solomon was the king of Israel and the son of David. The latter was an ancestor of Jesus. Toni Morrison introduces her novel with a very religious connotation, and religion is a large part in the representation of African Americans.

Going back the video we watched in class today, I see the trend Tavis Smiley mentioned about African-Americans putting themselves down. This we can see in Viola Davis' experience when African-American film writers offer her roles such as "ghetto moms." In Song of Solomon, Macon Dead refers to Porter as a "nigger," a word with a very negative connotation and that African-Americans tend to find offending. The fact that they use this degrading word amongst themselves exemplifies this mistreatment because it is now used in their own group. 

Macon Dead also cares about his reputation. He worries about what people think of the only Black with properties and is very harsh with his own crowd. His lack of empathy for Mrs. Bains' case and the insights the omnipotent narrator gives us about Ruth, Lena and  the Milkman's relationship with Macon show that his personality is a harsh, serious one.