Essay on the African American Dream in Song of Solomon

The African American Dream in Song of Solomon Like most Americans, African Americans have developed variations of the American Dream. Many African Americans find that their dream differs from the traditional American dream in that there is no immediate success. Sometimes the dream consists of equality via liberty or literacy, while at other times it is a simple desire to know self through historical connection. In Toni Morrisons Song of Solomon, Milkman was literate and had many options for further education, if so desired. Milkman was apathetic toward education and work. In fact, he was not sure what he wanted from life. Initially, he thought the best thing for his life was to leave his family and home. In order to†¦show more content†¦As his father unfolds his version, Milkman feels that the only reason Macon shares is to motivate Milkman to locate the gold. Besides his fathers and Pilates insufficient and distorted knowledge of the past, Milkman is faced with yet another difficulty in retracing his familys past. His best friend, Guitar, seeks to take Milkmans life. Once Milkman arrives into Shalimar, Virginia, the town in which Pilate spent much of her earlier life, he discovers that Guitar has left him a message. As voiced by a local, Yeah. Said to tell you your day was sure coming or your day...something like that...your day is here (262). Milkman receives this message with shock and surprise. Not only must he work to discover his family history, but he must do so while in danger of losing his life. He chooses to risk his life and continue his search for the gold in Shalimar, a search that leads him to his family history. Milkman is faced with death while on a hunting trip with the men of Shalimar, The wire pressed into his neck then and took his breath [...] there was a piece of a second in which the wire left room enough to gasp, to take another breath. But it was a living breath this time, not a dying one (279). Milkman survives this fight and deters Guitar, but as he struggles for his life, all the worries disappear. This struggle becomes his true struggle for life, not his fighting against those that surround his life. In this moment,Show MoreRelated Essay on African-American American Nightmare in Song of Solomon798 Words   |  4 PagesAmerican Dream or African-American American Nightmare       The Declaration of Independence was written so Americans could achieve this dream, but the African slave was never intended to be a part of this American Dream. 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