Reimagining the Narrative of Flying Africans: Morrison, Memory, and Myth in Song of Solomon

Abstract

The given research studies the motif of flying Africans in Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon using the folktale, People Could Fly by Virginia Hamilton as a reference narrative. The study explores Hall’s concept of the positioning of identity along the axes of continuities and discontinuities to trace Milkman Dead’s journey toward self-realization. The research argues that Morrison uses the traditional folktale of flying Americans, initially aimed at children, and revises it by embedding rudiments of cultural identity including memory, fantasy, and myth. Expanding the narrative of flying Africans, a story passed down through generations, Morrison places Milkman’s identity within a larger cultural and historical context. The research further explores how a traditional folktale, originally intended for children, can contribute toward creating a shared history as well as highlighting the ruptures of the past. By reimagining and expanding upon Hamilton’s tale, Morrison addresses its inherent ruptures and discontinuities, challenging the cohesive and singular history it once aimed to construct. The research argues that through the narrative complexity of a children’s tale, Morrison offers a profound commentary on the construction of identity, showcasing how cultural narratives can be both unifying and divisive.