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Possession In Song Of Solomon

Decent Essays

Anthem of Possession
Possession can be expressed in many forms, some physical and some through things like work and personal debt and gains. This idea of possession is shown throughout Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon, a tale that follows the Dead Family during their life in the 1930’s. The story mainly follows Milkman as he travels from Michigan to Virginia to learn the truth about himself. To do so he must confront his father and take control of himself. Although Milkman wants to take control and possession of his life, he must confront his family’s lust for possessions and break away from them, revealed by his grandfather’s journey, he sees the importance of leaving behind the conceptions and prejudice that have dispossessed him. Materialistic possession plays a pivotal role within Milkman’s family and life offering a means of escape from dispossession, despite its eventual development into greed. Early in the book, when Milkman believes that his father was the absolute power within his household, Macon Dead Sr. is telling his family about buying some vacation homes on the lake and selling them to colored folks during the summer. He questions, “Who’s going to live in them?” This questioning tone reveals his distrust of his father and his agreement of the belief that “There’s no colored people who can afford two houses.” (Morrison 33) Milkman sees his father trying to fill and fix his dispossession but doesn't agree with his methods. Here he must confront his father's

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