Song of Solomon Lessons for the Classroom

This group work looks at the very controversial chapter on the 7 days; Guitar's justification for their actions -- and Milkman's arguments against those same actions. The work has the students examine quotes from the book (up to this point) to try and determine where Milkman and Guitar stand on the ideas brought up in the chapter.

The richness of Morrison's novel cannot be overstated and this group work explores one dimension of that richness: How the author uses clues, foreshadowing, and echoes to prepare the reader for what comes later.In this instance, the students (in group of 3-4) reexamine the first chapter, now that they've read the entire book -- to find each of the major characters, as well as incidents crucial to the novel, given a kind of "overture."

 Much like the other group work on Chapter 3, but this cooperative exercise also includes a few brief questions on Chapter 4 as well.  This was revised in 2012 to emphasize Railroad Tommy's speech and to include the idea of how this is like Franz's phantom leg from All Quiet on the Western Front.  As with all group work - this one is designed for 3-4 to be completed in 45 minutes.

This group work have 3-4 students consider (by closely examining the text) Chapters 4 & 5 of Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon. In this exercise the students will discuss just how "serious" Milkman is, Guitar is, and how their actions belie their image of themselves. This group work also includes pictures of EmmettTill (whose real-life character plays a big part in this story), as around this time I play a radio documentary on his death and his murderers.

This group work examines Milkman's stay in his second small southern town -- and how his treatment there is much different than where he just came from. It also looks at how Milkman's change, which has been gradual, begins to pick up steam along with his own self-awareness.  Some of the ideas in these chapters are a bit surprising to students - our urban kids identify with Milkman and are shocked at the treatment he receives.

This work, designed for 3-4 students to finish in one class period, centers around the fate of Hagar -- and whose fault that fate lies with.  There is plenty of blame to go around. This assignment also looks at how Morrison masterfully keeps Pilate from being a simple two-dimensional character, by examining what is perhaps the greatest mistake that she makes in her entire life.