Doreatha Drummond Mbalia’s “Song of Solomon: Struggle for Race and Class Consciousness” is an interesting analysis on the Marxist ideals in the book The Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison. The one idea that Doreatha Mbalia discusses is the idea of “class suicide”. “Class Suicide” is term that Mbalia talks about where Milkman Dead gives up his ties to high society in order to stop being part of the oppressing class. Of course this does not happen immediately and Mablia talks about how Milkman throughout the book learns about his class and race. Eventually, he becomes class and race conscious which leads to him deciding on “class suicide”. Although this idea is valid, Mbalia last statement on The Song Solomon’s Marxist critique talks about how the book has a lack of solution to the problems of capitalism. This is true but the solution maybe that the problems of capitalism are solved with a lack of a solution. Mabalia’s analysis on the idea of “class suicide” is strong but Toni Morrison’s solution to the problem maybe a laissez faire approach.
Mbalia’s justifications for the idea of class suicide is best explained with the character Macon “Milkman” Dead III. For a large part of the book he is following his father Macon Dead II who is a ruthless landlord. Milkman decides to follow in the footsteps becoming the oppressive class. Mbalia talked about one of the first instances of Milkman’s class consciousness with the character of Pilate. The character of Pilate Dead is the aunt of Milkman. She is known to be poor and yet Milkman says, “And while she looked as poor as everyone said she was, something was missing from her eyes that should have confirmed it.” (Morrison 73) This quote used in Mbalia’s analysis shows how Pilate does not care that she is poor. Rather she embraces it and makes it one of her strengths. This must of had an effect on Milkman and must have made him realize that money did not make up everything. Another aspect that Mbalia talks about is Guitar and the seven days. The seven days is organization that Guitar, Milkman’s best friend, is apart of. The purpose of the organization is to start revenge killings on whites to avenge the innocent killings of blacks. This is especially shown when Milkman says “But people who lynch and slice off people’s balls— they’re crazy, Guitar, crazy.” (Morrison 261) This quote selection from Mbalia shows how Milkman can the extremes that blacks would go in order to seek justice but does not want except this. With this exposure, Milkman can gain some race consciousness. The analysis that Doreatha Drummond Mbalia does is shows a great understand but fall off on the analysis The Song of Solomon’s solution or rather lack of solution to the problems of capitalism. Mbalia talks how the at the ending that Milkman’s giving up and “surrendering to the air” does not show a proper solution to capitalism for Milkman. Although this is valid criticism, did Milkman ever had a chance for “class suicide”? Even if he had gotten back to his black roots and gotten rid of his ties to higher society, his parents would be stuck in the system. Also Hagar would still be dead because of his selfish actions. Lastly it would not change that the society in the 1930’s were still not great to blacks. Milkman’s “class suicide” would be insignificant compared to the entire society. Like Ruth’s father, he tried to “fly” but failed to do so. This would mean that Morrison might have been making fun of the fact that really is no solution. Just as ridiculous as humans flapping their wings to fly the idea of Milkman escaping oppression and racism is just as ridiculous.
Doreatha Drummond Mbalia’s analysis on how Milkman Macon gains class and race consciousness is a great showing of the ideas of Toni Morrison. Through the Mbalia’s analysis, she is able to show how Toni Morrison was making a story of Milkman’s self discovery and eventually to his “class suicide.” Although this is valid, Mbalia’s points fall off at the end of her critique of Toni Morrison’s ending to The Song of Solomon. The ending for the book may have been metaphor that the idea of “class suicide” may not be possible even with the experience Milkman went through. It begs the question, for Milkman to become more close to his black roots, why does he need to give up all his wealth? The Song of Solomon makes it seem that capital is why Milkman is apart of the oppressing class. Whatever the case, Macon “Milkman” Dead might gone through the necessary steps for class consciousness by the end it may have not been enough to stop problems of capitalism.
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