Sexy Sexy Bible Studies
Toni Morrison's book, Song of Solomon , shares its name with one of the scrolls of the Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible. The scroll details a pair of lovers, as they describe each other, and their experiences together. Repeatedly the woman tells the daughters of Jerusalem to not "stir up love before it is ready". The text is also called 'The Song of Songs', which indicates its place as the epitome of its class in Jewish scripture (think Holy of Holies). So why did Morrison choose to make this connection in titles? On the surface, these two texts have nothing in common. However, I have a theory. The biblical text has been praised for its embracing of sexuality and egalitarian gender relations. The couple are in a loving, consenting relationship. By contrast, the power dynamics in Morrison's novel are skewed, abusive, and coercive. Ruth and Macon II's relationship is just broken and abusive (see the time Macon slapped her, etc.). Milkman and Hagar's relationsh...