Overview

      I am starting to really really like this book. The more that is uncovered, the more exciting it becomes in my opinion. It is like a Sherlock Holmes mystery; nothing makes sense until at one point things start coming together, and they start coming together faster and faster, tumbling down the hill, taking the reader with them until the last puzzle piece is in place and the reader awakes from a misty dream not remembering the tumble but sure of one thing, that everything makes sense. And this is how I feel about the Song of Solomon. As Milkman travels to uncover his past and his destiny, he goes through so many events that change him, no matter how little, to form his reality, and lead him to his maturity and final acquiring of manhood. And it is interesting to think of this story as a mystery, because if could be so many different things. For one, a fantasy tail of a seeker searching for the key to his soul or ultimate understanding or a mystery where one man who cannot die has to face death many times over on his search for the clues to his past. This story can find its place in the heart of almost everyone as it can be interpreted in the style of the reader. And, Milkman showed a lot of maturity and development throughout the book. Having read Chapter 12 now, I have seen multiple times where Mikman did not panic, did not act out of panic, but rather was calm, true and honest, or at least humble. He did not give Guitar away, or panic when Guitar did not believe him that he was not shipping any gold to Virginia. Everything is becoming more down to earth, and Milkman, is starting to fulfill his destiny and becomes like his grandfather. From hearing about his past he is filled with pride and strength, he starts to grow, and his feet even out. We see wussy Milkman come out strong, and we can imagine him working on a field, plowing, working the earth in his power, making peach orchard bloom, and rising up to be the men that many come to live in the rays of. And compared to the depressing, miserable life he had before, this is a complete relief. Milkman is on his way to become a hero almost, one that overcomes his fears, his problems, and defeats the dark tests that challenge his way to the utmost knowledge: the gold. Gold is yellow, and shiny, and whenever one thinks of gold, one thinks of something brilliant and glowing. Symbolically, the gold could represent the light, the fire that Milkman goes to retrieve, the light with the power of life, something that he starts acquiring on his quest. At the end of the book, he will no longer be Macon Dead, he will no longer be already dead and in that way immune to death, but rather he will become a full, breathing man who has come back to life, and will fly back home to bring up his family and amend and change the future.