I, probably like most of you, was hoping someone else would write the initial blog post. However, it seems this will not happen soon, so I will take the plunge. Probably the most interesting part of the readings is the myth of Oedipus and the oedipal complex. You might be wondering how this applies to Song of Solomon. One of the interesting parts of SoS is Ruth's obsession with her father. Although Ruth's obsession does not lead to quite the dramatic events of the Oedipus myth, there are parallels. Mainly, both stories have major negative events caused by a lack of knowledge and communication among the main characters.
As much as I would love to continue, it is dinner time. Any comments? I think my comments above certainly need some fleshing out.
The Bettleheim reading was interesting in its contrast and comparison of fairytales and myths; I'd never really thought about the difference before. The psychological reasons of why tales, like the Three Little Pigs, for example was the most interesting. It showed me the reason why these tales are timeless - their universality (in themes and lessons and such) appeals to generation after generation.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ed's point about the Oedipus complex and how it parallels Ruth's bizarre obsession with her father who is "distinguished from the people among whom they live" (12). She deeply loves her deceased father, and while she doesn't appear to entertain any sexual feelings towards her father, she idolizes him. She makes him out to be a sort of demagogue, and nothing can sully him in her eyes. This elevation of him in her eyes is also reflective of a myth, as Bettelheim suggests that "mythical heroes offer excellent images for the development of the superego, but the demands they embody are so rigorous as to discourage the child in his fledgling strivings to achieve personality integration" (39). Perhaps this is one reason Ruth is so unhappy, as she realizes she is unable to achieve her father's security and success through wealth, even though she desperately tries to through her marriage to Macon. She stays in the marriage even though it is largely loveless and unhappy. Thus, Ruth's ideals of her father parallel much of what Bettelheim says.
Moreover, I think Song of Solomon in itself is a bit of a fairytale, as it ends happily, with Milkman's "flight" and self-actualization. Milkman is certainly flawed and imperfect, but he is a convincing protagonist that you can't help but hope that he can connect with his past. The symbolism of flight in the book adds an unrealistic - if almost supernatural or magical - quality to the book, making the ordinary seem remarkable and "projects the relief of all pressures... and promises a happy solution" (36). Thus, there are several parallels between the reading and Song of Solomon.
It is interesting how the author distinguishes between dreams and fairy tails (wish fulfillment, unrelieved pressures, etc.) i think one thing needful for myths is that it derives from dreams (see pg 36 the 3rd complete paragraph down).
ReplyDeleteit's really cool how myths, fairy tales and dreams reveal more about the mental, emotional and psychological state of a person because we are, in effect, what we make
more later
Songs of Solomon (SOS) is a mix between fairy tales and myths. on one hand, there is Milkman Dead. On the other hand, there is everyone else. the "everyone else", is in a sense just plain ordinary. Milkman is the only one made different by his physical disability and shyness
ReplyDeleteWaddup Analyzers of the Analysis
ReplyDeleteBruno Bettleheim has sort of ruined fairy tales and myths for me in one shot. Analyzing the differences between the two and making them so concrete sort of ruined it for me, i always viewed both fairy tales and myths as figures of my own imagination, and while others had come up with their own myths (beowolf etc) i still could attempt to put my own spin on them. Now, according to experts, i know that Fairy tales are only supposed to be optimistic and Myths pessimistic, meaning that my day dreams can now be classified based on the mood...THAT SUCKS. Also, Myths apparently only surround one major heroic figure who is better than the rest and according to Bettelheim CANT be human, and i think that takes the fun out of it. You mean to tell me I cant be beowulf? i could totally take that guy despite what "research" says. In addition to this, i think it's a shame that in order for something to be a fairytale it HAS to have a happy ending, young children can take it, they will be crushed later in life they should learn everything doesnt always work out for the best. Sorry if this post is a downer but im in a bad mood and all this reading made me upset.
Anyways, I think I'd have to classify S.O.S as a fairytale and a myth since thats what our reading was all about. Although it chronicles the ups and downs of one main character (mythesque) it does have an oddly happy ending with a symbolic mushy gushy leap at the end and the happiness of the main character(fairytale). However i think you could argue it is a little of both because both fairytales and myths are "models for human behavior that, by that very fact, give meaning and value to life."(first page of reading) Milkman goes on his own little journey (myth) meets or already knows a bunch of characters with UNIQUE names (myth, cant be fairy tale cause the names arent bob susan or boy and girl) and eventually finds happiness against all odds (fairytale). Thats all i got for tonight
I also thought Edwards idea and Demetras elaboration was brilliant...just a note
Haha first of all thanks Ed for "taking the plunge."
ReplyDeleteThe first thing about the article that directly relates to Song of Solomon is when it speaks of "fantastic events in myths and fairy tales." Although Song of Solomon is clearly neither one of those, it most certainly contains fantatic events and elements. The most noteworthy of which takes place at the end of the novel.
Something else that stuck me as a read "Fairy Tale versus Myth" is that Bettelheim says that myths strike people as aboslutely unique. This is relatable to Song of Solomon in two ways. First of all, the tale of Solomon flying away to africa on his wings is certainly unique, and secondly, Milkman's entire story (starting with his unusual breast feeding to his search for his lineage) is extremely unique. Also the part where it spoke of myths being tragic reminded me of Song of Solomon. This is because i do not think the novel ended in a "non-tragic" way and the things that happen throughout the novel speak to Milkmans tragic life.
Furthermore, when the selected reading referenced that the hero of stories also have an essential "humanity... despite his strange experieces," I was reminded about how Milkman is very humanized through his underdeveloped leg, and familial problems, while he is still the hero at the end of the novel. (pg. 39-40) In addition, when the reading spoke of "the fact that in fairy stories nobody else has a name:" it made me think a lot about Song of Solomon and how most of the characters are referred to by biblical names or ones other than their own. (pg. 40) The only thing different is that the protagonist or hero of Song of Solomon, was not referred to by his given name.
Something, however, that i believed contrasted with the novel is in the second section of the reading, "he worries not whether there is justice for the idividual man, but whether he will be treated justly." (pg. 47) This was different than Song of Solomon because Milkman was not totally selfish, which is seen in his beliefs towards the acts of, and Guitar's involvement in the Seven Days.
I also agree with Ed's point about the Oedipus complex and it's relation to the "supposed" incestuous relationship between Ruth and her father.
I believe Song of Solomon to be mainly a myth. As Russell said, myths strike people as being unique. The fact that Milkman has the ability to "fly" is because of his lineage, and so the average person cannot fly (which Morrison makes clear on the first page of the book). Furthermore, the name Milkman Dead is not a generic one, and fairy tales use common names to pertain to all people. I also found the part about Oedipus to be very cool because it is so similar to how Milkman was breast fed by his mom until he was 5. One reason why I disagree that SOS is a fairy tale is because I do not believe that it has that much of a happy ending. While there is a calm understanding that Milkman possesses at the end of the novel, Pilate and Hagar are dead, and there is still contention in the black community. Milkman does not leap at Guitar for some resounding act of justice, but rather because it is the only move he has left to make. I do not think that Milkman is a hero at all, and I believe that Pilate is the real heroin, and she attempts to solve societal problems through Milkman and her legacy. Since in fairytales, the rewards are won on Earth, this is not a fairytale. Furthermore, the last scene, while it is a positive move forward, by no means "promises that a happy solution will be found (p. 36). I also found the part in the article about the bible to be very relevant to SOS. Obviously many of the names, like Pilate, Hagar, and Solomon, are taken from the bible, which according to the article provides security. Furthermore, the story of Cain and Able relates to Guitar and the Seven Days. These blacks are envious of how easy the white men have life, and how they are treated differently than the blacks.
ReplyDeletewow.... i just wrote a ridiculously long response to everyone and then when i went to post it i wasnt signed in yet and it disappeared! =( oh well.
ReplyDeletejustin im sorry youre cranky but your post made me lol. but now im cranky too! and i disagree with you. i dont think labeling them takes any fun away...i personally prefer fairy tales and happy endings and think of myths as meant to seem true but arent or as something scary or as a story that explains something in nature.
anyway i agree that oedipus parallels ruth's love for her father and her desire for him to be all hers since he is the only one who cares if shes alive/how shes living. however my issue with this is that shes not a child as bruno describes - shes an adult and is supposed to have matured through reassurance that there will be a happy outcome.
i think sos is a combo. of myth and fairy tale. the characters are definitely distinctive, but average people can probably find at least one to relate to - probs milkman since we hear the most from him.
the ambiguous ending could take it either way. i think theres sort of a happy ending because milkman figures everything out and "finds himself" but hagar dies and in my opinion, so does milkman, thus making it a myth.
on p 47 it is as though milkmans thoughts are being described - he asks himself all of those questions, and finds the answers. some are extremely fantastical ie that his great grandpa flew and that everyone sings about his family. but some of it is realistic and he does learn a lot about himself and like jonah, discovers his own higher morality.
First of all, I thought Ed and Demetra's comments regarding the Oedipus or (in Ruth's case) Electra complex were very compelling. Although I agree that Ruth has very intense and obsessive feelings toward her father, this is far from an Electra Complex. Like Demetra said, her feelings do not seem to be sexual and mere admiration and a high regard for her father do not qualify as an Electra Complex.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I see the argument for classifying Song of Solomon as a fairy tale, but I think it has many more myth-like characteristics. First of all, I did not think the ending was that happy at all. Though there was some relief and excitement as Milkman jumped at Guitar, the ending was very tragic in my opinion. With the accidental death of Pilate, an innocent and Biblical figure in the novel, and Milkman's desperate attempt to avenge her death, this ending is made even more tragic as Morrison leaves it as a cliffhanger, not telling the reader the result of this leap. Thus, Song of Solomon definitely does not fit the idea that "fairy tales offer fantasy materials...and [guarantee] a happy ending" (39). Also, another reason Song of Solomon fits the myth description is that "the mythical hero experiences a transfiguration into eternal life in heaven [while] the central figure of the fairy tale lives happily ever after on earth..." (39). At the end of the novel when Milkman seems to sacrifice himself by jumping at Guitar (who has a gun), it is much more probable that he ascends to heaven rather than defeating Guitar and living happily ever after. Overall, most evidence points to myth for Song of Solomon.
There are some interesting points above...the œdipus complex is obviously similar to Ruth's relationship with her father...but what about Milkman's strange pre-pubescent relationship with his mother? Perhaps this psychological tendency is why T-Mo decided to include such a strange circumstance regarding Milkman's nursing...
ReplyDeleteBut we all get the œdipus complex and have heard enough about it now anyway. (it is sad that I will stop referring to it, especially since I like to type the œ thing. even if it's wrong)
If you look at page 51 of Dr. Bettleheim's work you will find the bottom paragraph, which states that, "the more secure a person feels within the world, the less he will need to hold on to "infantile" projections--mythical explanations or fairy-tale solutions to life's eternal problems--and the more he can afford to seek rational explanations."
This quote, when considered with respect to Milkman's character, is rather salient. In fact, it seems to tell the story of Milkman's journey to discover the truths of his family's history. Interestingly, even though he might not appear to be safe while being tailed by the Seven Days Clan, perhaps T-Mo wanted us to rest assured of his safety insofar as it is guaranteed by his exploration--which is to say that since he still searches for rational explanation, he must be safe--according to the quote above.
Also, even though I tend to dislike T-Mo as a writer...she's absolutely brilliant. Nothing she does is without purpose, and when we see her literature parallel the ideas of leading psychologists and experts in other fields, it says a lot about her intelligence!
I agree with some of the previous points about the Oedipus/Electra complex and how it parallels Ruth's relationship with her father. However, I disagree with Demetra's point that her feelings are merely admiration rather than sexual. The doctor himself commented on the disturbing "ecstasy he felt inappropriate to the occasion"(23)on Ruth's face before their good night kiss. I find that totally creepy and it seems like her feelings go deeper beyond respect and admiration.
ReplyDeleteI think Song of Solomon is mainly a myth for the reasons people have said above. All the characters are named and many of them have strange and memorable names, such as Milkman, Pilate and Sing. However, I feel the ending of Song of Solomon could be interpreted as happy. Milkman now understands his family history and consequently, he is finally liberated. I don't think the outcome of his leap matters- whether he lives or dies- the important part is that he was able to "fly".
I think that everything said so far has been really good! I especially liked Elizabeth's comment about the fact that Ruth is an adult and thus according to Bettleheim, she should not technically be classified as having oedipal conflict: as an adult, she should have already been "[brought her] mature understanding to what until then had remained childish anxieties" (38).
ReplyDeleteInstead, I think the oedipal conflicts parallel Milkman's situation. According to Bettleheim, "A young child is completely caught up in oedipal conflicts as the inescapable reality of his life. The older child, from about age FIVE on, is struggling to extricate himself by partly repressing the conflict, partly solving it by forming emotional attachments to others besides his parents, and partly sublimating it" (38). In my opinion, this sentence perfectly describes Milkman's early adulthood. Milkman's mother stops breast-feeding him after age FIVE, and as Milkman grows older, he struggles with learning about his parents' past - he is extremely troubled with what his father tells him about his mother and her relationship with the Doctor, and then he is even more troubled when his mother tells him about how Pilate "saved her life" after Milkman follows her to the graveyard - and forms "emotional attachments to others besides his parents," in this case, with Pilate, Reba, and Hagar. The bulk of Song of Solomon focuses on Milkman as he tries to solve his parent's issue by forming close relationships with Pilate, and then later going down south to uncover his lineage.
As for the debate about whether Song of Solomon is a myth or a fairy tale, I think the novel falls more under the category of a myth. According to Bettleheim, "the dominant feeling a myth conveys is: this is absolutely unique; it could not have happened to any other person, or in any other setting; such events are grandiose, awe-inspiring, and could not possibly happen to an ordinary mortal like you or me." SoS is unique because the character names and the names of the streets and buildings are unique. Also, Song of Solomon is most definitely awe-inspiring because at the end, the reader is left awed by the fact that Milkman was able to discover his lineage, and that he finally learned the meaning and mastery of "flight." And finally, the ending is somewhat pessimistic, because the most powerful character among them all, Pilate (in my opinion at least because she can balance the ability to fly with the ability to remain grounded), dies and we don't know if Milkman is alive or dead.
Finally, I liked how Josh connected Bettleheim's discussion of the bible in terms of Song of Solomon - I'm not really going to expand on this because I think he did a good job at making the connections.
I agree with everyone's point about Ruth's Electra complex. However, I can't tell for sure whether it is sexual or not- like the real Electra. I do think that it was mostly admiration, because her father was a wealthy, high-achieving man. But there is also some of that repressed sexual tension and I feel like there is "too much" of an attachment between Ruth and her father. (I didn't know which account of Dr. Foster's death to believe-Ruth's or Macon's- but I am inclined to believe Ruth's account just because I know what a power-hungry, greedy, scoundrel Macon Dead, Jr. is.
ReplyDeleteBut I also think that Milkman has an Oedipus complex. To expand on what Austin and Dani (and Freddie in SoS) mentioned, Milkman is breastfed for an unusually long time. If I remember correctly, he was breastfed until he was eight! I would understand if he was until he was an infant or young toddler, when he wouldn't know better, and would not feel like it was weird or unusual, but until he was eight?! Putting that into perspective, we were fully aware elementary school children when we were eight. I think there is definitely some Oedipus complex there, like Dr. Bettleheim described. As he describes on p 38-39, children sometimes wish to harm or kill the other parent. While I don't think Milkman wants to kill his father, I can definitely see a subconscious desire to hurt him. (This is manifested when he cracks and punches him when Macon hurts Ruth). Obviously Milkman wanted to avenge his mother's injury, but I also think there was an inadequacy factor. While Macon Jr. is rich, and has a steady job, Milkman is jobless, lazy, and has no intention of finding a job. He is also spoonfed with everything he needs. He must feel inferior to his father, even if he doesnt admit it. And since he seems to be a "momma's boy," or maybe more than that, he has no problem hitting his father.
As to whether Song of Solomon is a myth or fairy tale, I say it's a myth. It has larger than life heroes (strong women, most notably Pilate), and has a sad ending. I noticed that my favorite characters, Pilate most notably, and Hagar, two powerful women in the novel, died somehow because of Milkman. At the same time, Macon and Milkman, who both do not have any real power especially because they are not admirable (one is a lazy pig while the other is a greedy cheat), live and succeed, for the most part. If this was a fairy tale, I think Pilate would have flown away. Instead, it was Milkman. But T-Mo made Milkman fly because of all the self-realization symbolism. As well as the novel was written, that part seemed cliche to me. In the beginning, someone was trying to fly and failed (maybe because he wasn't worthy). It had to end with the main character successfully flying.
building on from what justin said.. i think it's kind of hypocritical that bettleheim specifically defines fairy tales and myths, while he also admits that most children don't understand logical thought. so if kids were reading that..sucks for them.
ReplyDeletegoing back to when austin mentioned the creepy relationship with milkman and his mom.. i think it's interesting that t-mo reversed the oedipus complex so now the mother has an interest in her son. (even though her acts are more of a desperate attempt to be a necessity in milkman's life as he is growing up.) but i'm pretty sure she did that on purpose.
i think that t-mo left the ending ambiguous because she didn't want her story to be characterized as a myth (with a sad ending) or a fairy tale (with a happy one). it kind of makes the book more realistic, because life isn't a myth or a fairy tale, there's always a mix of good and bad.
p. 52 talking about sibling jealousy: "most of all, the child wants support for his still very tenuous belief that through growing up, working hard, and maturing he will one day be the victorious one." when i saw this i immediately thought of first corinthians. she tries to unify people by having an affair with someone ofa different social class and bad reputation. she hopes that one day her efforts will pay off and people will pay attention to her.
i really like what christine pointed out about "sibling rivalry" but i think that in this case, the rivalry is more evident between pilate and macon sr. "if his present sufferings will be rewarded in the future, he need not act upon his jealousy of the moment" (52). i thought that this line was interesting because it sums up how macon sr feels cheated when he thinks that pilate has taken the gold. he ultimately chooses not to act on this feeling at the time, and waits until many years later, when he tries to get milkman to help him steal back the gold.
ReplyDeletehey guys. okay so i agree about the whole oedipus complex related to ruth and her father, and justin- good one.
ReplyDeletei think SOS can be classified as both a myth and a fairy tale simply but looking at the ending because it can be seen as tragic as well as happy. the happy is pretty obvious- Milkman figures himself out and accepts everything and can finally 'escape'. its sad bc he's probs dead and plus Pilate lost her daughter/hagar is dead and guitar like sucks, etc.
it also has myth like qualities because the flying thing is unique/can't happen to everyone and it can be argued that the whole 7 days thing is sort of extreme and wouldn't have happened around the average reader. still, although the 7 days things is so crazy, guitar talks to milkman about it as if it is the most logical and 'natural' thing and this makes it sort of similar to a fairy tale.
This is Kayla-Victoria by the way.]
ReplyDeleteI would like to begin by echoing the sentiments of Justin on these articles. They really are depressing and sad and to a degree make me feel like I was duped as a child for some reason.
I think SOS is a mixture of different realities which reflects the outcomes of different people. Some people like Milkman receive a fanciful, faerie-tale like ending while Guitar's exit from the book is more of that of a myth. Not everyone will be successful in the world and I think Morrison shows that. People get sidetracked along the way and life just gets in the way sometimes. But I think it is important to include however both perspectives, that of a more idealized {faerie-tale like) life and that of a realistic {myth-like} one. Most people will have a combination of the two realities ,but the preparation in life from childhood should be from the expectation that this is what could happen if you are lucky, but at the same time, it is entirely possible that it may not.
I hope this makes sense to someone who reads it because when fatigued I write in stream of consciousness rather than structure.
I think that SOS is a really interesting mix of both fairy tale and myth. The book as a whole is both optimistic and pessimistic. I disagree that the ending is happy, and rather think that it was very tragic. Even if Milkman did get revenge against Guitar (which I highly doubt), it would not reverse everything else that has gone wrong in his life lately (Hagar dying, Pilate dying).
ReplyDeleteI agree with Russel that SOS has some myth-like characters in that they are completely unique. Pilate, for example, seems to be in a different sphere from the other characters. Also, Bettleheim makes the important distinction that fairy-tales have characters that " represent archeypical psychological phenomena" (36) and this is simply not true about SOS - one of the main points of the novel is that human behavior is complex and no one is entirely good or entirely evil.
I agree with Justin that it's frustrating how fairy tales are only supposed to have happy endings. I don't think this should be necessarily true, because children should be able to learn from sad endings, too. But I understand Bettleheim's logic here. For example, in many stories, the "happy ending" involves the sometimes gruesome defeat of the villain figure. However, children never worry about the horrible end of the villain figure, because they are only concerned by the happiness of the protagonists, even if the protagonists defeat the enemy in an awful way. For example - Disney's Snow White - this witch/queen is totally evil, so it's alright to push her off a cliff??? Fairy tales have a justice system that makes sense to children (bad person does bad things, so bad things can be done to them), and not until later does a matured sense of rationality appear in the child's mind (bad person does bad things, but that does not justify returning those actions --> give them a trial, put them in jail, etc.)
Hey Everyone, So I'm sure that no one but Miss. Siegel is going to read this being that I fell asleep with a book and a packet on my lap and woke up at 5:20 only to realize that I haven't done almost any of my homework. But I digress.
ReplyDeleteI am totally with Justin on this one, I feel like the most imaginative thing in my life since like EVER has been fairy tales and they were just processed, categorized, organized, and packaged into a box of absolute boringness. That bothered me. In my opinion, I don't think that the way fairy tales and myths were described in this reading were particularly accurate. I agree with some of the major points, like that it hast to deal with the supernatural, and it has to show a great change in a protagonist, but the whole optimism Vs pessimism thing I think was a bit of a stretch. In The Child's Need for Magic the author stated that "Fairy Tales leave to the child's fantasizing whether and how to apply to himself what the story reveals about life and human nature," which is exactly what I was saying until it was made too straight-forward by "Fair Tale Vs Myth."
In my opinion, I would say that Song of Solomon is in fact both a myth and a fairy tale. It is difficult to discern between the two, however, after reading this packet, as well as the dictionary, and a few outside sources my conclusion can be considered accurate. A fairy tale is considered a story about magical or imaginary beings or lands, while a myth denotes a story that explains some natural or social phenomenon by using supernatural events or beings. Overall, they are almost identical in definition, however, that is where the optimism versus pessimism comes into play. Although it disappointed me and although I don't necessarily agree with it (for the most part), I think he has got a point that is no less pertinent, but I am going to alter it a bit as a means of conveying a point. My belief is that yes Fairy Tales do have happy endings and they are optimistic, I can't think of a single one that isn't, however myth's I think do have happy endings or at least can but have the option to end in tragedy in order to fulfill it's goal of explain a phenomenon which can be both positive and negative. Song of Solomon fits into a number of these characteristics. Although there are not many, there are supernatural beings, (SOLOMON) who flies himself back to Africa, there are places that seem to have a supernatural feel to them like Not Doctor Street or Ryna's Gulch, and there is ultimately a happy ending, Milkman's leap towards Guitar that symbolizes his ultimate change onto another plane of being. This evidence would suggest that Song of Solomon is a fact a fairy tale.
Conversely, however, Song of Solomon, while fitting the description of a fairy tale, also can be characterized as a myth. For the reasons that it depicts supernatural beings and events. But most importantly it does give a a supernatural explanation for a social phenomenon. It uses Solomon's ultimate flight as an explanation for Milkman's being, his lineage, his heritage, and his family.
I think under the given parameters one would have to consider Song of Solomon both mythical and fairy tale(ical).
Hey Everyone, So I'm sure that no one but Miss. Siegel is going to read this being that I fell asleep with a book and a packet on my lap and woke up at 5:20 only to realize that I haven't done almost any of my homework. But I digress.
ReplyDeleteI am totally with Justin on this one, I feel like the most imaginative thing in my life since like EVER has been fairy tales and they were just processed, categorized, organized, and packaged into a box of absolute boringness. That bothered me. In my opinion, I don't think that the way fairy tales and myths were described in this reading were particularly accurate. I agree with some of the major points, like that it hast to deal with the supernatural, and it has to show a great change in a protagonist, but the whole optimism Vs pessimism thing I think was a bit of a stretch. In The Child's Need for Magic the author stated that "Fairy Tales leave to the child's fantasizing whether and how to apply to himself what the story reveals about life and human nature," which is exactly what I was saying until it was made too straight-forward by "Fair Tale Vs Myth."
In my opinion, I would say that Song of Solomon is in fact both a myth and a fairy tale. It is difficult to discern between the two, however, after reading this packet, as well as the dictionary, and a few outside sources my conclusion can be considered accurate. A fairy tale is considered a story about magical or imaginary beings or lands, while a myth denotes a story that explains some natural or social phenomenon by using supernatural events or beings. Overall, they are almost identical in definition, however, that is where the optimism versus pessimism comes into play. Although it disappointed me and although I don't necessarily agree with it (for the most part), I think he has got a point that is no less pertinent, but I am going to alter it a bit as a means of conveying a point. My belief is that yes Fairy Tales do have happy endings and they are optimistic, I can't think of a single one that isn't, however myth's I think do have happy endings or at least can but have the option to end in tragedy in order to fulfill it's goal of explain a phenomenon which can be both positive and negative. Song of Solomon fits into a number of these characteristics. Although there are not many, there are supernatural beings, (SOLOMON) who flies himself back to Africa, there are places that seem to have a supernatural feel to them like Not Doctor Street or Ryna's Gulch, and there is ultimately a happy ending, Milkman's leap towards Guitar that symbolizes his ultimate change onto another plane of being. This evidence would suggest that Song of Solomon is a fact a fairy tale.
ReplyDeleteConversely, however, Song of Solomon, while fitting the description of a fairy tale, also can be characterized as a myth. For the reasons that it depicts supernatural beings and events. But most importantly it does give a a supernatural explanation for a social phenomenon. It uses Solomon's ultimate flight as an explanation for Milkman's being, his lineage, his heritage, and his family.
I think under the given parameters one would have to consider Song of Solomon both mythical and fairy tale(ical).