Group 2, Quynh Nguyen, Jake Zhang, Adrianne Smith, Section 07:
"Everybody wants the life of a black man. Everybody. White men want us dead or quiet - which is the same thing as dead. White women, same thing, They want us, you know, 'universal,' human, no 'race consciousness'...And black women, they want your whole self. Love, they call it, and understanding" (222).
This passage symbolizes the perception that both black and white people have on black men. This is shown through the description of how each feels about black men in societal and romantic situations, amongst others. This relates to the rest of the novel because it empowers the black race, specifically black men, through the use of repetition of "they want us" as well as terms such as "love", "understanding", and "you're better".
This is a really interesting passage. I totally agree with your analysis: I love how Morrison empowers the black man so subtly and beautifully, it fills you with that feeling without being painstakingly obvious.
Group 11, Joseph Gillespie, Michael Surdek, Section 07: pp. 226-233 "All his life he'd heard the tremor in the word:"I live here, but my people..." "She acts like she ain't got no people," "Do any of your people live there?" "But he hadn't known what it meant:links" (229)
Throughout Milkman’s life, he never felt a sense of belonging. It seemed to him that he was out of touch with the world and its inhabitants. This passage demonstrates how a place actually does exist where people know him as well as his family. This place serves a purpose for him because it causes him to feel cared for and appreciated. The use of three variations of the phrase he had been hearing his whole life show how Reverend Cooper’s words resonated with him because of their unfamiliarity. Morrison’s use of the word tremor emphasizes the fear that the word “people” struck in Milkman until this point of resolve.
Response to Group 11 Section 07 Well done, guys! I completely agree that this is a pinnacle moment for Milkman. Previously, he was immature and disconnected from those around him. This is an important realization for Milkman. He now knows that the people around him can help mark his identity. I never would have made the connection between the word tremor and the repetition of the word people. Good point! (I don't know if I did this right) -MaryKate Nelligan Group 9
Group 1, Johnny Huynh, Viet Vu, Section 07: Pages 216-226 "He knew that an old woman had lived in it once, but he saw no signs of life there now. He was oblivious to the universe of wood life that did live there in layers of ivy grown so thick he could have sunk his arm in it up to the elbow. Life that crawled, life that slunk and crept and never closed it eyes."
The universe of wood life symbolizes black people and the ivy their harsh struggles. This situation represents Milkman's attitude and his unwillingness to empathize with (black) people. He only cares about his own present because he's had a somewhat pampered life. For example when Emmett Till was murdered, he was primarily concerned about his own problems. He's stuck in a shell of his own world, oblivious to everyone's problems.
Response to group 1 section 07 You guys really captured the essence of what Morrison is trying to express in this passage. Milkman is living the life of a rich man because he never has to lift a finger to do anything. He doesn't even really think for himself most of the time, until someone spells it out for him. This journey is sure to get him out of that shell one way or another and hopefully we will be able to see a brand new Milkman who cares about the people around him as well as the issues of his world. -Nenser Krua Group 10
I would agree with this 100%. Milkman seems to not understand that the things that are oppressing the other black people around him, are oppressing him too. There seems to be a major disconnect there for Milkman. He seems to not understand that though her grew up around money, the system of racism does not stop for any man. Milkman is not invincible. -Brianna Nobles Group 8
Group 10 Section 7 I think that the ivy also represents the history of black people and their struggles over the years. Black history is so dense with stories of struggle and strive and rather than choosing to acknowledge this history, Milkman is choosing to disregard it. What's alarming to me is the fact that his approach to everything that happens in the black community is that of indifference even though he's affected by it in one way or another. -Patricia Louijame
Group 9, MaryKate Nelligan, Kathleen Dougherty ""What do I owe you. For the Coke and all?" The man was smiling, but his face changed now. "My name's Garnett, Fred Garnett. I ain't got much, but I can afford a lift and a Coke now and then." (255)
This passage just adds to Milkman's disconnect from those around him. He doesn't interact we'll with Garnett. This effect is achieved by the reaction of Garnett rather than Milkman's actions. When Garnett closes the door and shakes his head at Milkman, Garnett is clearly annoyed that Milkman thinks he can't afford giving Milkman a ride and a Coke. This further exemplifies Milkman's disconnect from society. The diction of Garnett proves he is not of a high class but also that he is proud of who he is and what he has and he does not need Milkman to pay him for doing a good deed.
It's interesting that Garnett took it as an insult, because Milkman was probably just trying to do the right thing. His father cared a lot about money and brought Milkman up to see money different than society. That has been a part of his disconnect from society since he grew up.To his father, he would feel disrespected if a man ate a lunch with him and the man expected him to pay for his lunch. His obsession with ownership leaks a little into milkman and milkman just wants to give the man some honest money for a ride and a coke. But you're right it just disconnects him from black society as his father is. -Daniel Margaris
I think that Garnett felt insulted by the fact that Milkman expected he would want something in return for his kindness. As Milkman is a stranger he probably didn't have much respect for Milkman to begin with, but now that he is not accustomed to their customs Garnett has more reason to dislike him. That makes the disconnect from society so apparent, just as Dan, Mary Kate and Kathleen pointed out. -Brian Averill
Brianna Nobles and Roxanne Emokpae; Group 8, Section 07
"The loved it. Stole for it, lied for it, killed for it.But I'm the one left. Me and the dogs. And I will never clean it again. Never Nothing. Not a speck of dust, not a grain of dirt, will I remove" (247).
The Butlers were obsessed with their home and that was all they cared for and loved. They were willing to do anything in order to better the furnishings of their home and Circe finds that disgusting. She hated the Butlers, and she plans to remain in the home until even the last room rots away. Circe despises the house and what it has put her through, and all of the hardship that she has experienced within its' walls. Watching the house rot is Circe's way of getting revenge on those whom she believes have done her wrong, this is her way of controlling the situation.
I really like your analysis of her seeing this as escape from her oppression and seeing it collapse in on itself as a way to get revenge. It shows a kind of irony or outliving her oppressors and seeing their lasting impression and legacy literally crumble to the ground. I also think its really interesting and revealing of her character that she'd rather sit and watch it implode in on itself without the help of anything else but merely because of the evil it represents than actively participate in its deconstruction. This to me shows the power of the oppression she associates with the house. She wants it to end itself in an almost sad and cruel suicide than an agressive and hard fought homicide. She doesn't want to devote or risk any more of her life to any aspect of the house.
This is a good analysis of the irony in Circe watching the house she served rot to the ground. It is interesting that you point out that this allows her to control the situation, since she was a servant for the most of her life and this may be the first (and maybe last) time she can take command of her own fate instead of following orders. It is also interesting to note that she will be pursuing her revenge until the minute she dies, and it is hard to believe her hatred of the Butlers that would consume her until death.
Group 10: Patricia Louijame and Nenser Krua Passage: “She came back before they dumped the negro they found in the cave. She took the bones, all right; Milkman had seen them on the table in the jailhouse. But that's not all she took. She took the gold. To Virginia. And maybe somebody in Virginia would know. Milkman followed in her tracks” (258).
Milkman, on his first solo journey, is finally finding answers to questions for himself and learning about his lineage. This passage symbolizes his maturation because his whole life has been empty, nonexistent and he didn't really have a purpose until now. The syntax is composed of mostly short and simple sentences which express Milkman’s thoughts. This passage also relates to the rest of the story by sort of foreshadowing Milkman’s ticket out of his boring life. Milkman’s journey to find the hidden gold is also becoming a journey to find his ancestry. The gold almost becomes a symbol of his ancestry, where they’re both hidden by the adults in his family and left for him to find out and discover.
I agree with the search for the sack of gold being a symbol for his ancestry. Although it stems from his greed and desire to leave his family and town once he finds it, he's ironically discovering things about his family along the way. Whether he actually cares remains subjective.
That is an extremely interesting take with respect to the symbolism of Milkman's journey also representing his journey to find his lineage and ancestry. The gold may be foreshadowing the positive events to come for him in the near future, but it is unclear as of now. So far, Milkman is finally discovering his path in life.
I agree that he is finally getting out of his boring life to pursue the gold though i don't think he has really matured. though he does show some change he is still driven by his own desires and attitude toward life and what it means.
I completely agree with your analysis of this excerpt and love the fact that this quest is Milkman's "ticket" out of the hole that he is in. However, I disagree with what you said about Milkman's soul searching connecting to the novel and would say that the gold being his ancestry makes more sense in connecting with the novel in that it speaks about how the Dead family came to be.
Your analysis is very interesting and got me thinking. I completely agree with your idea about the wood life representing the lives of the black people. The words "crawled," "slunk," and "crept" give off negative vibes. Their life is harsh and they can "never close [their] eyes" because they can never find peace.
It is also very interesting that you mentioned that the ivy represents the struggle of the colored people. There seem to be a connection between plants and struggles so far in the novel. Previously, Ruth was overwhelmed by blood red tulips and now the "thick" ivy is representing struggles. Milkman could choose to save his mother from the tulips, but he does not. Milkman could choose to acknowledge the wood life, but he does not, instead he chooses to be "oblivious" to it. All of this separates him further from "his" people.
I would also like to add that I think the old woman represents the spirit of the colored people. She is very ancient, delivering generations after generations of people into the world. She lives under the rule of white people but is still able to help others, such as when she helps hide Macon and Pilate. It concerns me when Milkman notes that there are "no signs of life there now." Does this relate to the spirit of the colored population during that time period? Were they suppressed to the point where they no longer showed signs of life?
Overall, good points you made there! -Jenny Pham Group 14
Hi MaryKate and Kathleen! (It's Abby S.) I loved that you pointed out the strange/awkward interaction between Milkman and Garnett because I noticed that while I was reading as well. It was clear that Garnett was slightly hurt by the fact that Milkman had offered him money because like you both pointed out, "he is proud of who he is what what he has". I think that Milkman is disconnected not only with society, but also with current social behavior because he did not really know how to act in that situation and it made it quite uncomfortable for both of them. Thanks for the awesome analysis of the passage you two! ^.^
Passage: "Everybody wants the life of a black man. Everybody. White men want us dead or quiet--which is the same things as dead. White women, same thing. They want us, you know, 'universal,' human, no 'race consciousness'...And black women, they want your self. Love, they called it, and understanding" (222).
From one perspective, Guitar seems to be addressing Milkman, but in reality, Morrison is actually directing this speech to the reader and informing the reality of stereotypes and how everyone is literally tied down by them. Here, Morrison focuses on the faith of a black man, tied down by everyone around him. By dedicating a major section of Guitar's speech to what a "black woman" wants, Morrison is implying that the problems that colored people face was not simply a racial one where white people suppressed black people. No, Morrison is insinuating that colored people faced problems within their own community as well, as the "black man" is not simply wanted by the white population but by the opposite sex of his own people as well.
Wow! I didn't even think of this while reading. I completely agree with the fact that even today black people still have problems amongst each other. We've become divided as a community based on the SHADE of our skin. The lighter the color of your skin the more attractive you are in the black community whereas the darker you are the more unattractive you are to most black people. I think she also wants the reader to understand that no matter what there will always be stereotypes and we will always be tied down by them.
I think its really interesting the way Morrison shows that the issues aren't stemming just from the conflict between white and black. A lot of this book focuses on racial stereotypes and I think Morrison isn't trying to showcase just the very apparent ones.
This is a really interesting analysis of Morrison's intentions and her explanation of how binding racial stereotypes are. It's also interesting to consider that this quote is coming from a black man who is in a way promoting the idea of a singular, black identity by describing it as "the black man's life;" as if there is only one life of a black man.
Group 6, Nathan Winshall & Jordan Freundlich, section 71
"'Take advantage, and if you can't take advantage, take disadvantage. We live here. On this planet, in this nation, in this county right here. Nowhere else. We got a home in this rock, don't you see? Nobody starving in my home; nobody crying in my home, and if i got a home you got one too! Grab it. Grab this land!" (235)
In this passage Morrison personifies the land in order to discuss and critique the american dream. The land encourages the Deads to do what what they can, either through their own advantage, or other's disadvantage, to get ahead in life. THis "american dream" land produces Macond Dead Jr., a strict,unlikeable man, a criticism showing the corruptibility of the American Dream. To further emphasize this point, shortly after hearing this quote, Milkman succumbs to the capitalistic greed associated with the American dream, expressing desire to dismiss his ancestry in pursuit of wealth.
“Then he watched signs – the names of towns that lay twenty-two miles ahead, seventeen miles to the east, five miles to the northeast. And the names of junctions, countries crossings, bridges, stations, tunnels, mountains, river, do his act he thought for surely anybody who was interested in Dudberry Point already knew where it was” (226)
The bus ride to Pennsylvania shows how Milkman is following blindly in his fathers footsteps resulting in a disconnect with the world around him. Without realizing it he has inherited all of his father’s bad qualities. He is so focused on making money that he doesn’t realize that his life is passing him by. Beautiful landscape surrounds him, but instead of enjoying the nature he’s more focused on how he’s going to get the gold from the cave. His greed for money, just like his father, has led him to have a disconnect with the world around him.
Response to Group 6 Section 7 I definitely agree with this analysis. It shows Milkman's ignorance because he thinks that his destination is the only one that matters. He does not care at all about where other people have to go. I think that by listing "rivers, junctions, crossings, etc...", Morrison is trying to show that he recgonizes all of the different things he sees on this journey he just does not register that they may have some significance. I like how you relate this characteristic of Millman to his father's greed. I think it's a great connection and it really shows the reason why he is so disconnected. Mike Surdek
Group 12, Sonia Chien and Dan Margaris, Section 71
Passage: "They talked on and on, using Milkman as the ignition that gunned their memories. he had come out of nowhere, as ignorant as a hammer and broke as a convict, with nothing but free papers, a Bible, and a pretty black haired wife, and in one year he'd leased ten acres, the next ten more...never mind you can't tell one letter from another, never mind you born a slave, never mind you lose your name, never mind your daddy dead" (235)
This passage embodies the idea of the American dream. Macon Dead Sr. starts from scratch and is able to build a whole new life for himself, almost as if he is reincarnated from the life of slavery. The play on words that Morrison adds at the end contributes to the significance; of course the author is talking about Macon Sr's father being dead, but this has a double meaning because it also applies to the death of Macon Sr's own death in relation to Macon Jr: hence the pun "Daddy Dead".
Group 13: Rafael Arrendol and Brian Averill, section 07
Passage: "Take advantage, and if you can't take advantage, take disadvantage. We live here. On this planet, in this nation, in this county right here. Nowhere else. We got a home in this rock, don't you see? Nobody starving in my home; nobody crying in my home, and if I got a home you got one too! Grab it. Grab this land!" (235)
In this passage, Milkman has traveled to the county where his father's family had once been. Milkman is sitting with the members of the town and is an instrument for jumpstarting their memory of Macon Dead junior and senior. This specific passage contains the townpeople's sentiments toward the farm that the Dead family owned. It was a beacon of hope to all of the black people in the area; if one black man, recently gone from slave to free, who had nothing could create this haven, then others could do it too.
Group 9, Hannah Tran-Trinh and Miranda Mahmoud, Section 07, Miranda's post: Passage: "What do I owe you? For the Coke and all?" The Man was smiling, but his face changed now. "My name's Garnett, Fred Garnett. I ain't got much, but I can afford a coke and a lift now and then... Mr. Garnett had reached over and closed the door. Milkman could see him shaking his head as he drove off" (255).
In this passage, Milkman is hitching a ride in order to get back into Danville, and has shared a coke with the driver to escape the heat. After drinking the lukewarm soda, Milkman offers to pay for it and the ride as a form of gratitude, but this quickly turns to a conversation with classist undertones. When Milkman, with no offensive or demeaning intentions, offered to pay the man for the Coke, he undermined his economic status. The man assumes that by offering pay, Milkman is assuming that the man is poor, and goes on to defend how he can "afford a coke and a lift now and then." This outlines how separate Milkman is from men in the South and the cultural barriers between the two cultures. It also highlights how Milkman's affluence has separated him from most of his "people."
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGroup 2, Quynh Nguyen, Jake Zhang, Adrianne Smith, Section 07:
ReplyDelete"Everybody wants the life of a black man. Everybody. White men want us dead or quiet - which is the same thing as dead. White women, same thing, They want us, you know, 'universal,' human, no 'race consciousness'...And black women, they want your whole self. Love, they call it, and understanding" (222).
This passage symbolizes the perception that both black and white people have on black men. This is shown through the description of how each feels about black men in societal and romantic situations, amongst others. This relates to the rest of the novel because it empowers the black race, specifically black men, through the use of repetition of "they want us" as well as terms such as "love", "understanding", and "you're better".
This is a really interesting passage. I totally agree with your analysis: I love how Morrison empowers the black man so subtly and beautifully, it fills you with that feeling without being painstakingly obvious.
Delete-Sonia Chien Group 12
DeleteGroup 11, Joseph Gillespie, Michael Surdek, Section 07: pp. 226-233
ReplyDelete"All his life he'd heard the tremor in the word:"I live here, but my people..." "She acts like she ain't got no people," "Do any of your people live there?" "But he hadn't known what it meant:links" (229)
Throughout Milkman’s life, he never felt a sense of belonging. It seemed to him that he was out of touch with the world and its inhabitants. This passage demonstrates how a place actually does exist where people know him as well as his family. This place serves a purpose for him because it causes him to feel cared for and appreciated. The use of three variations of the phrase he had been hearing his whole life show how Reverend Cooper’s words resonated with him because of their unfamiliarity. Morrison’s use of the word tremor emphasizes the fear that the word “people” struck in Milkman until this point of resolve.
Response to Group 11 Section 07
ReplyDeleteWell done, guys! I completely agree that this is a pinnacle moment for Milkman. Previously, he was immature and disconnected from those around him. This is an important realization for Milkman. He now knows that the people around him can help mark his identity. I never would have made the connection between the word tremor and the repetition of the word people. Good point!
(I don't know if I did this right)
-MaryKate Nelligan Group 9
Group 1, Johnny Huynh, Viet Vu, Section 07: Pages 216-226
ReplyDelete"He knew that an old woman had lived in it once, but he saw no signs of life there now. He was oblivious to the universe of wood life that did live there in layers of ivy grown so thick he could have sunk his arm in it up to the elbow. Life that crawled, life that slunk and crept and never closed it eyes."
The universe of wood life symbolizes black people and the ivy their harsh struggles. This situation represents Milkman's attitude and his unwillingness to empathize with (black) people. He only cares about his own present because he's had a somewhat pampered life. For example when Emmett Till was murdered, he was primarily concerned about his own problems. He's stuck in a shell of his own world, oblivious to everyone's problems.
Response to group 1 section 07
DeleteYou guys really captured the essence of what Morrison is trying to express in this passage. Milkman is living the life of a rich man because he never has to lift a finger to do anything. He doesn't even really think for himself most of the time, until someone spells it out for him. This journey is sure to get him out of that shell one way or another and hopefully we will be able to see a brand new Milkman who cares about the people around him as well as the issues of his world.
-Nenser Krua Group 10
I would agree with this 100%. Milkman seems to not understand that the things that are oppressing the other black people around him, are oppressing him too. There seems to be a major disconnect there for Milkman. He seems to not understand that though her grew up around money, the system of racism does not stop for any man. Milkman is not invincible.
Delete-Brianna Nobles Group 8
Group 10 Section 7
DeleteI think that the ivy also represents the history of black people and their struggles over the years. Black history is so dense with stories of struggle and strive and rather than choosing to acknowledge this history, Milkman is choosing to disregard it. What's alarming to me is the fact that his approach to everything that happens in the black community is that of indifference even though he's affected by it in one way or another.
-Patricia Louijame
Group 9, MaryKate Nelligan, Kathleen Dougherty
ReplyDelete""What do I owe you. For the Coke and all?" The man was smiling, but his face changed now. "My name's Garnett, Fred Garnett. I ain't got much, but I can afford a lift and a Coke now and then." (255)
This passage just adds to Milkman's disconnect from those around him. He doesn't interact we'll with Garnett. This effect is achieved by the reaction of Garnett rather than Milkman's actions. When Garnett closes the door and shakes his head at Milkman, Garnett is clearly annoyed that Milkman thinks he can't afford giving Milkman a ride and a Coke. This further exemplifies Milkman's disconnect from society. The diction of Garnett proves he is not of a high class but also that he is proud of who he is and what he has and he does not need Milkman to pay him for doing a good deed.
It's interesting that Garnett took it as an insult, because Milkman was probably just trying to do the right thing. His father cared a lot about money and brought Milkman up to see money different than society. That has been a part of his disconnect from society since he grew up.To his father, he would feel disrespected if a man ate a lunch with him and the man expected him to pay for his lunch. His obsession with ownership leaks a little into milkman and milkman just wants to give the man some honest money for a ride and a coke. But you're right it just disconnects him from black society as his father is.
Delete-Daniel Margaris
I think that Garnett felt insulted by the fact that Milkman expected he would want something in return for his kindness. As Milkman is a stranger he probably didn't have much respect for Milkman to begin with, but now that he is not accustomed to their customs Garnett has more reason to dislike him. That makes the disconnect from society so apparent, just as Dan, Mary Kate and Kathleen pointed out.
Delete-Brian Averill
Brianna Nobles and Roxanne Emokpae; Group 8, Section 07
ReplyDelete"The loved it. Stole for it, lied for it, killed for it.But I'm the one left. Me and the dogs. And I will never clean it again. Never Nothing. Not a speck of dust, not a grain of dirt, will I remove" (247).
The Butlers were obsessed with their home and that was all they cared for and loved. They were willing to do anything in order to better the furnishings of their home and Circe finds that disgusting. She hated the Butlers, and she plans to remain in the home until even the last room rots away. Circe despises the house and what it has put her through, and all of the hardship that she has experienced within its' walls. Watching the house rot is Circe's way of getting revenge on those whom she believes have done her wrong, this is her way of controlling the situation.
I really like your analysis of her seeing this as escape from her oppression and seeing it collapse in on itself as a way to get revenge. It shows a kind of irony or outliving her oppressors and seeing their lasting impression and legacy literally crumble to the ground. I also think its really interesting and revealing of her character that she'd rather sit and watch it implode in on itself without the help of anything else but merely because of the evil it represents than actively participate in its deconstruction. This to me shows the power of the oppression she associates with the house. She wants it to end itself in an almost sad and cruel suicide than an agressive and hard fought homicide. She doesn't want to devote or risk any more of her life to any aspect of the house.
Delete-- Nathan Winshall Group 6 section 71
Group 2 Section 07
DeleteThis is a good analysis of the irony in Circe watching the house she served rot to the ground. It is interesting that you point out that this allows her to control the situation, since she was a servant for the most of her life and this may be the first (and maybe last) time she can take command of her own fate instead of following orders. It is also interesting to note that she will be pursuing her revenge until the minute she dies, and it is hard to believe her hatred of the Butlers that would consume her until death.
-Jake Zhang
Group 10: Patricia Louijame and Nenser Krua
ReplyDeletePassage: “She came back before they dumped the negro they found in the cave. She took the bones, all right; Milkman had seen them on the table in the jailhouse. But that's not all she took. She took the gold. To Virginia. And maybe somebody in Virginia would know. Milkman followed in her tracks” (258).
Milkman, on his first solo journey, is finally finding answers to questions for himself and learning about his lineage. This passage symbolizes his maturation because his whole life has been empty, nonexistent and he didn't really have a purpose until now. The syntax is composed of mostly short and simple sentences which express Milkman’s thoughts. This passage also relates to the rest of the story by sort of foreshadowing Milkman’s ticket out of his boring life. Milkman’s journey to find the hidden gold is also becoming a journey to find his ancestry. The gold almost becomes a symbol of his ancestry, where they’re both hidden by the adults in his family and left for him to find out and discover.
I agree with the search for the sack of gold being a symbol for his ancestry. Although it stems from his greed and desire to leave his family and town once he finds it, he's ironically discovering things about his family along the way. Whether he actually cares remains subjective.
Delete-Johnny Huynh Group 1
That is an extremely interesting take with respect to the symbolism of Milkman's journey also representing his journey to find his lineage and ancestry. The gold may be foreshadowing the positive events to come for him in the near future, but it is unclear as of now. So far, Milkman is finally discovering his path in life.
Delete-Joseph Gillespie Group 11
I agree that he is finally getting out of his boring life to pursue the gold though i don't think he has really matured. though he does show some change he is still driven by his own desires and attitude toward life and what it means.
DeleteJIm Li.
I completely agree with your analysis of this excerpt and love the fact that this quest is Milkman's "ticket" out of the hole that he is in. However, I disagree with what you said about Milkman's soul searching connecting to the novel and would say that the gold being his ancestry makes more sense in connecting with the novel in that it speaks about how the Dead family came to be.
DeleteGroup 2 - section 7
Quynh Nguyen
Response to Group 1 Section 07
ReplyDeleteYour analysis is very interesting and got me thinking. I completely agree with your idea about the wood life representing the lives of the black people. The words "crawled," "slunk," and "crept" give off negative vibes. Their life is harsh and they can "never close [their] eyes" because they can never find peace.
It is also very interesting that you mentioned that the ivy represents the struggle of the colored people. There seem to be a connection between plants and struggles so far in the novel. Previously, Ruth was overwhelmed by blood red tulips and now the "thick" ivy is representing struggles. Milkman could choose to save his mother from the tulips, but he does not. Milkman could choose to acknowledge the wood life, but he does not, instead he chooses to be "oblivious" to it. All of this separates him further from "his" people.
I would also like to add that I think the old woman represents the spirit of the colored people. She is very ancient, delivering generations after generations of people into the world. She lives under the rule of white people but is still able to help others, such as when she helps hide Macon and Pilate. It concerns me when Milkman notes that there are "no signs of life there now." Does this relate to the spirit of the colored population during that time period? Were they suppressed to the point where they no longer showed signs of life?
Overall, good points you made there!
-Jenny Pham Group 14
Hi MaryKate and Kathleen! (It's Abby S.) I loved that you pointed out the strange/awkward interaction between Milkman and Garnett because I noticed that while I was reading as well. It was clear that Garnett was slightly hurt by the fact that Milkman had offered him money because like you both pointed out, "he is proud of who he is what what he has". I think that Milkman is disconnected not only with society, but also with current social behavior because he did not really know how to act in that situation and it made it quite uncomfortable for both of them. Thanks for the awesome analysis of the passage you two! ^.^
ReplyDeleteGroup 14: Jenny Pham and Abigail Schuliger
ReplyDeletePassage: "Everybody wants the life of a black man. Everybody. White men want us dead or quiet--which is the same things as dead. White women, same thing. They want us, you know, 'universal,' human, no 'race consciousness'...And black women, they want your self. Love, they called it, and understanding" (222).
From one perspective, Guitar seems to be addressing Milkman, but in reality, Morrison is actually directing this speech to the reader and informing the reality of stereotypes and how everyone is literally tied down by them. Here, Morrison focuses on the faith of a black man, tied down by everyone around him. By dedicating a major section of Guitar's speech to what a "black woman" wants, Morrison is implying that the problems that colored people face was not simply a racial one where white people suppressed black people. No, Morrison is insinuating that colored people faced problems within their own community as well, as the "black man" is not simply wanted by the white population but by the opposite sex of his own people as well.
Wow! I didn't even think of this while reading. I completely agree with the fact that even today black people still have problems amongst each other. We've become divided as a community based on the SHADE of our skin. The lighter the color of your skin the more attractive you are in the black community whereas the darker you are the more unattractive you are to most black people. I think she also wants the reader to understand that no matter what there will always be stereotypes and we will always be tied down by them.
DeleteKaina Siffra
Group 6
I think its really interesting the way Morrison shows that the issues aren't stemming just from the conflict between white and black. A lot of this book focuses on racial stereotypes and I think Morrison isn't trying to showcase just the very apparent ones.
DeleteRafi Arrendol
Group 13
Group 9, Miranda Mahmoud
DeleteThis is a really interesting analysis of Morrison's intentions and her explanation of how binding racial stereotypes are. It's also interesting to consider that this quote is coming from a black man who is in a way promoting the idea of a singular, black identity by describing it as "the black man's life;" as if there is only one life of a black man.
Group 6, Nathan Winshall & Jordan Freundlich, section 71
ReplyDelete"'Take advantage, and if you can't take advantage, take disadvantage. We live here. On this planet, in this nation, in this county right here. Nowhere else. We got a home in this rock, don't you see? Nobody starving in my home; nobody crying in my home, and if i got a home you got one too! Grab it. Grab this land!" (235)
In this passage Morrison personifies the land in order to discuss and critique the american dream. The land encourages the Deads to do what what they can, either through their own advantage, or other's disadvantage, to get ahead in life. THis "american dream" land produces Macond Dead Jr., a strict,unlikeable man, a criticism showing the corruptibility of the American Dream. To further emphasize this point, shortly after hearing this quote, Milkman succumbs to the capitalistic greed associated with the American dream, expressing desire to dismiss his ancestry in pursuit of wealth.
Group 6 Kaina Siffra and Nicole Smith
ReplyDeleteSection 7
“Then he watched signs – the names of towns that lay twenty-two miles ahead, seventeen miles to the east, five miles to the northeast. And the names of junctions, countries crossings, bridges, stations, tunnels, mountains, river, do his act he thought for surely anybody who was interested in Dudberry Point already knew where it was” (226)
The bus ride to Pennsylvania shows how Milkman is following blindly in his fathers footsteps resulting in a disconnect with the world around him. Without realizing it he has inherited all of his father’s bad qualities. He is so focused on making money that he doesn’t realize that his life is passing him by. Beautiful landscape surrounds him, but instead of enjoying the nature he’s more focused on how he’s going to get the gold from the cave. His greed for money, just like his father, has led him to have a disconnect with the world around him.
Response to Group 6 Section 7
DeleteI definitely agree with this analysis. It shows Milkman's ignorance because he thinks that his destination is the only one that matters. He does not care at all about where other people have to go. I think that by listing "rivers, junctions, crossings, etc...", Morrison is trying to show that he recgonizes all of the different things he sees on this journey he just does not register that they may have some significance. I like how you relate this characteristic of Millman to his father's greed. I think it's a great connection and it really shows the reason why he is so disconnected.
Mike Surdek
Group 12, Sonia Chien and Dan Margaris, Section 71
ReplyDeletePassage: "They talked on and on, using Milkman as the ignition that gunned their memories. he had come out of nowhere, as ignorant as a hammer and broke as a convict, with nothing but free papers, a Bible, and a pretty black haired wife, and in one year he'd leased ten acres, the next ten more...never mind you can't tell one letter from another, never mind you born a slave, never mind you lose your name, never mind your daddy dead" (235)
This passage embodies the idea of the American dream. Macon Dead Sr. starts from scratch and is able to build a whole new life for himself, almost as if he is reincarnated from the life of slavery. The play on words that Morrison adds at the end contributes to the significance; of course the author is talking about Macon Sr's father being dead, but this has a double meaning because it also applies to the death of Macon Sr's own death in relation to Macon Jr: hence the pun "Daddy Dead".
Group 13: Rafael Arrendol and Brian Averill, section 07
ReplyDeletePassage: "Take advantage, and if you can't take advantage, take disadvantage. We live here. On this planet, in this nation, in this county right here. Nowhere else. We got a home in this rock, don't you see? Nobody starving in my home; nobody crying in my home, and if I got a home you got one too! Grab it. Grab this land!" (235)
In this passage, Milkman has traveled to the county where his father's family had once been. Milkman is sitting with the members of the town and is an instrument for jumpstarting their memory of Macon Dead junior and senior. This specific passage contains the townpeople's sentiments toward the farm that the Dead family owned. It was a beacon of hope to all of the black people in the area; if one black man, recently gone from slave to free, who had nothing could create this haven, then others could do it too.
lel genius
DeleteGroup 9, Hannah Tran-Trinh and Miranda Mahmoud, Section 07,
ReplyDeleteMiranda's post:
Passage: "What do I owe you? For the Coke and all?"
The Man was smiling, but his face changed now. "My name's Garnett, Fred Garnett. I ain't got much, but I can afford a coke and a lift now and then... Mr. Garnett had reached over and closed the door. Milkman could see him shaking his head as he drove off" (255).
In this passage, Milkman is hitching a ride in order to get back into Danville, and has shared a coke with the driver to escape the heat. After drinking the lukewarm soda, Milkman offers to pay for it and the ride as a form of gratitude, but this quickly turns to a conversation with classist undertones. When Milkman, with no offensive or demeaning intentions, offered to pay the man for the Coke, he undermined his economic status. The man assumes that by offering pay, Milkman is assuming that the man is poor, and goes on to defend how he can "afford a coke and a lift now and then." This outlines how separate Milkman is from men in the South and the cultural barriers between the two cultures. It also highlights how Milkman's affluence has separated him from most of his "people."