Song of Solomon Theme of Visions of America

Though Song spans nearly four generations of American history, we spend the most time in 1960s America, on the eve of the Civil Rights movement. We are immersed in the black experience in America, and watch countless acts of racism, hate, and intolerance unfold. Despite the fact that we are dwelling in an era that is nearly a century after Lincoln delivered the Emancipation Proclamation, we still see a broken, unjust society.

1. What events of American history are referenced by characters in Song of Solomon?
2. What is Guitar’s vision of America?
3. Are there conflicting visions of what America is?
4. We see four generations of American history play out. Does anything change in the good old U.S. of A., and if so, what changes?

Urban America in Song of Solomon is a world of materialism and corruption.

Technology and modern tools of communication both unite and alienate the black community in Song of Solomon.