Purpose: To provide an analysis of our central text, Song of Solomon, utilizing Baldwin, Wright, and optionally, Coates as source material.
Also please review the writing and research resources provided: Research & Writing Resources & Information
Choose one or more topic(s) from below as the basis of your analysis, which are general and suggested.
Students must still identify a specific thesis and approach to the question. Additionally, two of the above mentioned sources must be one of our readings from James Baldwin, or Ta’Nahisi Coates AND Richard Wright’s Native Son. You must include Bigger Thomas or you analysis of Morrison’s work.
Although some topics indicate eras, individuals, and/or events, do not attempt to create a biographical study or a journalistic report summarizing events.
The purpose of this essay question is to analyze, inform, and present critical thinking about the themes, grounding it in specific examples (citations) from Morrison’s Song of Solomon.
• What is the strongest theme explored in Song of Solomon and how do we see this theme played out in our current U.S. society?
• Give a minimum of three unique examples from the novel to support your observations. Utilize three or more quotes from our course readings listed above. Include quotes.
o Freedom & Liberation
o Flight, Life & Death
o Love, Hate, & Indifference
o Identity & Self-Definition
o Sex, Gender, & Sexuality
o Abolitionists &/or The Anti-Slavery Movement
o Ida B. Wells-Barnett & The Anti-Lynching Movement
o Womanism &/or Black Feminism
o Justice & Personal and Civil Responsibility
o Race & Class
o Media & Literacy
o Jim Crow, Black Codes, & Segregation
o Womanism & Patriarchy
5-7 pages; works cited page does not count.