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 relationship is lopsided in its power dynamic, and eventually results in Hagar's insanity when Milkman grows tired of using her.
I think that Morrison is using the name Song of Solomon ironically, instead of writing about perfect relationships, she shows the darkness of abusive relationships with the rose tinted glasses taken off. What do you think?

Comments

  1. tina wayneDecember 19, 2017 at 12:57 PM

    I agree with your point; her portrayal of the abusive relationship between Macon II and Ruth under the shade of the good relationship in the Tanakh is so contradictory, it's ironic. Furthermore, I think that another connection between the two is that they are both similar holy books. I recognize that Judaism and Christianity are different but it's not too much of a stretch to imagine the Macon family's names could come from the Tanakh. I know, it's a bit shallow, but it's a thought.

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  2. isabella solisDecember 19, 2017 at 4:52 PM

    I agree with you (and Tina) the title of the book is probably used ironically. What I also think is interesting is that in many Jewish services women aren't supposed to read from the Torah, so the use of Song of Solomon as the title is doubly ironic.

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  3. Dante FreundDecember 20, 2017 at 10:34 PM

    I agree that Morrison is being ironical when using Song of Solomon as her title. The theme of lost or broken love is prevalent throughout the entire novel and using a title that invokes strong love and emotion can only be irony.

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  4. Annemily HogansonDecember 22, 2017 at 8:31 AM

    In 5th period, we discussed the possibility that Morrison has her characters reject (white) Christianity for a culture more connected to their own history. One example of this is Pilate and Reba interrupting the priest at Hagar's funeral to sing. This would be reflected in how the title turns out to reference a song about a Solomon the Deads are descended from instead of biblical Song of Solomon.

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  5. Gus MansfieldDecember 31, 2017 at 6:12 PM

    Perhaps the novel challenges the Bible story's romantic idea of relationships. It could be offering the pessimistic view that relationships can never be perfect and will always have underlying problems. Or maybe the novel is offering a demonstration of how privilege (think money and gender) screws up relationships. I'm not really sure but no matter the interpretation, it is an interesting contrast that begs the question of why? Great post!

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