Song of Solomon Passage!
“These rides that the family took on Sunday afternoons had become rituals and much too important for Macon to enjoy. For him it was a way to satisfy himself that he was indeed a successful man. It was a less ambitious ritual for Ruth, but in a way, nevertheless, for her to display her family. For the little boy it was simply a burden. Pressed in the front seat between his parents, he could see only the winged woman careening off the nose of the car. He was not allowed to sit on his mother’s lap during the drive- not because she wouldn’t have it, but because his father objected to it. So it was only by kneeling on the dove gray seat and looking out the back window that he could see anything other than the laps, feet, and hands of his parents, the dashboard, or the silver winged woman poised at the tip of the Packard. But riding backward made him uneasy. It was like flying blind, and not knowing where he was going- just where he had been-troubled him. He did not want to see the trees that he had passed, or houses and children slipping into the space the automobile had left behind (31-32).”
The family is going on the weekly drive they take every Sunday afternoon. The drive is the only thing that they use the car for. Lena and Corinthians both sit in the back seat, each with her own window to gaze out of. Macon drives while Ruth sits in the front passenger seat. A young Milkman is wedged in-between his parents. Although the Sunday drive is intended to be relaxing, Macon is not enjoying it because it has become “too important.” The drive is a way for him and Ruth to show off their wealth as well as their family. Milkman also does not enjoy the ride. He seems to be bored by his limited view. All he can see is the figure on the hood, the dashboard, his parents laps, or what is behind him.
This passage introduces some interesting character traits. First, Macon starts to reveal his obsession with power and money. The leisurely drive he should be enjoying is more like a chore to him. Instead of enjoying spending time with his family, Macon is preoccupied with showing off his car and therefore his wealth. Throughout this passage and the rest of the reading, Macon shows signs of wanting to own not only things but people as well. The excerpt also introduces a theme of memories and their importance. Perched facing backwards in the car, Milkman is “uneasy” about not being able to see what lies ahead. He also does not like looking where he has been or seeing people disappears as the car moves forward. Milkman seems phased by losing sight of the past and not being able to see the future at all.
So, questions…
1. What do you think led to Macon’s obvious insecurities about wealth and social status?
2. Do you think there exists underlying reasons that have led to Macon’s complete distaste of his wife other that the situation with her father and the “milkman” incident?
3. Is it possible that this passage is foreshadowing Milkman’s eventual denial of the past?
I'd like to focus on your last point. I don't think that it implies the eventual denial of the past but more a fascination by the past that will consumer him. Although he wants to see the future, he can't, he can only focus on the past. I think that is an important possible future prediction for him: he will have to focus on the path because the future is unforeseeable. The uneasiness on the past may imply that young Milkman is already scarred by the "sins" (i don't know if thats the exact word) of his father.
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