Song of Solomon

Love is a prevalent and connecting central idea in Song of Solomon. There are many different types of love which are present between characters, within characters, and between characters and objects or ideas. With Ruth and Hagar, there is an obsessive love with those they treasure most. Ruth is fixated on her father to the point where it has interfered with her marriage and her life. In the middle of the night she travels by bus and train to get to her father's grave just to talk to him. Her obsession leads one to believe Ruth may have an Electra complex, Macon certainly believes so. Hagar also develops a dangerous obsession with Milkman. After Milkman breaks up with Hagar, she goes on an enraged hunt, stalking and attempting to murder Milkman every month. Within this twisted love, one sees the intertextuality of the hero's journey. Milkman is the hero or protagonist of the story, and Hagar is the villain, or anti-hero, trying to cause chaos and disorder. Separation occurs when Milkman starts his new, more adult life away from home, spending more time in the Southside. Initiation is especially evident with the confrontation Milkman has with Hagar in Guitar's apartment. Hagar attempts to kill the hero, and Milkman's apathetic reaction triggers an interest for the audience, a clue that readers should pay attention to what Milkman will do next. While Hagar is the villain, the one who serves as medicine man, or in this case medicine woman, is Pilate. Morrison make this painfully obvious through Pilate's use and knowledge of odd cures and remedies.

Ruth also uses love to try to stop Milkman in his journey through coming-of-age. She breast feeds him for an unnatural amount of time and yet she does not succeed in her attempt. Milkman ventures out on his own to find his maturity, experience his new-found sexuality (thanks to Hagar), and discovers a new sense of responsibility (breaking it off with Hagar).

Macon Dead has a different kind of love. He loves his money and his reputation, one could argue his love is also an obsession. Macon is so consumed by his 'white-man's' life, he has no room for his wife or his children. He wishes only to maintain his place as a respected member of the community and preserve his power.

Love continues to reveal itself in all the situations in Song of Solomon, from Mr. Smith standing on Mercy Hospital and Porter shouting that the love he has is too much to carry, to Ruth and Hagar's obsessive love which brings them into conflict with the other characters. Morrison seems to have a much different view of love from what is conventionally thought of when one thinks of love. The circumstances which love plays a part in are all negative and harmful to one person or another. Love is not seen as the caring, and sought after object which leads to happiness. In Song of Solomon, love brings only sorrow and pain.