Flying and Remembering: An Interpretation

I wanted to take a minute to remember the quote at the beginning of Song of Solomon.

            

“The fathers may soar

            And the children may know their names”

From the tone and the words that this quote uses, it seems that if the fathers do soar, their children will know their names, thus implying following in their footsteps. There are also many different interpretations of “soar” and “names” that could be applied to all the father child relationships in this book. How does each specific case apply to this quote?

Let’s start with Ruth and her father (Dr. Foster):

            

From society’s point of view, her father is soaring. He is very wealthy and prestigious, he even gets a street named after him. His child (Ruth) knows his name very well. She boasts that a white family and priest respected her because she was her father’s daughter. Another definition of “soar” that could be used is “soaring in the Heavens” (dead). While he is “soaring in the Heavens” (dead), Ruth recommends her father’s name to Milkman when talking about future careers. She wants him to be a doctor, but he thinks that it would be queer to be called Dr. Dead. She makes it clear that he could always become Dr. Foster, the name of her father, thus following his legacy. In this situation, he is being remembered by not only his child but also his grandchild.

Now with Macon Jr. and his father (Macon):

            

The story with Macon was that he was shot into the air from the fence. Thus, literally soaring into the air. While telling this story, Macon Jr. says that during his father’s emancipation, the white man wrote his information wrong resulting in his name being Macon Dead. Macon Dead kept the name because his wife liked it, saying that it would be a new beginning. His children, however, don’t know his original name yet they know his false name very well. With a false definition of soar (not the wealthy definition but rather the literal definition) we receive a false name. We notice that his children remember his name when Pilate says that there are only three Deads alive, with a sense of pride. We also see Macon Jr. remember his father’s name when he names is one and only son after him (and himself), who all three have the same name. Macon Jr. also follows in his father’s footsteps when he takes Milkman to work with him just as Macon had done with him.

And finally, Milkman and his father (Macon Jr.):

            

This relationship is arguably the most complicated. Like with Ruth’s father, Macon Jr. is seen as “soaring” to society because of his wealth. He has developed a reputation (not necessarily a good one) by the towns people which was then translated to Milkman. An example is when the bartender refuses to admit Milkman because of his father, in this situation, Milkman is being reminded that he is his father’s son. Another example of when Milkman knows his father’s name is when he claims it. When Pilate said that there were only three Deads alive, he corrected her, feeling that he had a position in this secret society, the Dead society. We also see Milkman follow in his father’s footsteps, working with him and engaging in the wealthy neighborhood activities.

            

In all the father child relationships, we can see how each of them follow the beginning phrase in some way by using different definitions and interpretations. What do you think of these conclusions?