Dead Tree

So as we kept reading the chapter 9 tonight, we read about Magdalena called Lena being mad at Milkman, because he told Macon about her relationship with Porter. Before she starts explaining to him why she really brought him to her room she shows him the little Maple. "The leaves should be turning red now. September is almost over. But they´re not; they´re just shriveling and falling down green. You peed on it." I think this part is really important not only because of the dying maple tree, but also because of what Lena says right after that. "You peed on it. And on me." What do you think Lena tries to tell us through the metaphor of dying tree? 

Milkman's Journey

In chapter 10, we learn that Milkman decides to head to Pennsylvania to go look for the gold that was supposedly left in the cave. His intentions on his journey seem to change from greed of gold to self-understanding and his family history when he talks with Circe. Why do you think this intentions changed so quickly and what do you think he will do in order to better understand himself and figure out his family's history?

Song of Solomon Characters

Who is your favorite character in Song of Solomon? Why? What do you like the most about their character? Who is your least favorite character? What did they do that you didn't like/agree with?

First Corinthians

In chapter 9 the novel picks up with First Corinthian's life; after not hearing from her or about her for a good part of the book. I wonder why Morrison chose now to stick First Corinthian's part in. What's your guy's take on this?

Narrator

On pgs 165-172 it is narrated the story of Macon and Pilate with the gold. The story is in third person while the previous stories-within-the-story were in first person. In your opinion why did Morrison make this choice?

The Peacock

In class today we talked a little bit about the peacock and what it symbolizes/it's importance in the novel. I personally think it symbolizes not just one thing, but a few things. What did the peacock seem to symbolize to you and why is it an important part of the novel?

The Seven Days

On page 156, Guitar says "White people are unnatural.  As a race they are unnatural.  And it takes a strong effort of the will to overcome an unnatural enemy".  What do you think he means by this?  Do you think that killing innocent white people took a "strong effort of the will"?  Do you think that the actions of the Seven Days are just considering the equal or even harsher crimes that whites committed to blacks?

Cornell West vs Milkman/ Past vs Future

Today at Cornell West's speech he talked about how we must look back to our past in order to understand the future.  He said that without our past and the people in it who provided us with love, we would simply not be.  Do you see a connection (or contradiction) between what West is saying and the way Milkman sees or deals with his past?  How does Milkman's pessimistic view of his family challenge West's view?

Eggs

In Chapter 5 the "fried egg" conversation between Milkman and Guitar (pgs.115-116) reminded me of when Pilate in Chapter 2 talked about how to make a perfect soft-boiled egg (pgs. 39-40). Do you think that the eggs symbolize something or is it a coincidence?

Chapter Five: WHAT IS GOIN' ON?

So this last week we have to have read chapter 5. There were many things that were extremely strange but one that particularly struck me as a WTF (WTF- Why the Face (As in my face when I read this chapter)) moment was when Milkman was so chill about being murdered. In the first part of the chapter, he is with Guitar and he is so calm. What is goin' on?

The Weary Blue

Following up our discussion in class about this poem, I am kinda curious why some of us think that the narrator is a white guy?

Langston Hughes

I know this was on our homework worksheet but I was curious to find out which Hughes poem was your favorite.