Song of Solomon Introduction

From Ms. Swigart: 1. There is a mandatory IB exam testing meeting in 25B on Oct. 11 at 8:45am for anyone taking even one test this year. 2. Please encourage all who MIGHT test to come to the meeting next week.

Symbols, Motifs and Conceits (1 of 2) Keep track of the following elements/concepts as you read: Flight Magical Realism Abandoned Women The Alienating Effects of Racism Biblical Allusions Names Singing

Symbols, Motifs and Conceits (2 of 2) Whiteness and hegemonic effects (hegemony = the control/dominance of one culture over another). Northern vs. Southern American culture Nature: Artificial vs. Real Gold Death Classic vs. Romantic viewpoints, symbols, images Griot (pronounced GREE-oh): a member of a hereditary cast of the peoples of western Africa whose function is to keep an oral history of the tribe or village and to entertain with stories, poems, songs, dances, etc.

Allusion: The People Could Fly Read the folktale. What constructs/elements of style create the tone of the folk tale? What connotations are presented in the subject of flight? What are the literal and spiritual implications of the myth?

Biblical Allusions Song of Solomon = a book of the bible in which the love relationship between God and man is explored. The entire book is an allegory of a great romance between a man and woman. Ruth = a character from the Old Testament. She chooses not to return to her family after her husband dies in order to help her widowed mother-in-law.

Biblical Allusions Pilate: In the New Testament, Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor who authorized the scourging and crucifixion of Jesus. Hagar: In the Old Testament, Sarah asks her husband, Abraham, to lay with her servant, Hagar so that he will have off-spring. She gives him a son, Ishmael. But when Sarah conceives a child (Isaac) by Abraham, she has Abraham banish Hagar and her son to the desert. “Hagar” means “forsaken” in Hebrew.

Biblical Allusions Rebekah (called Reba in the novel): In the Old Testament she becomes the wife of Isaac by befriending his servant and his ten camels in the famous well scene, during which she fetches not only the servant but also his camels water (which is a lot of work). Then, she offers both the servant and the camels shelter. She is known as a woman of action and generous character – especially compared to her more passive husband.

Biblical Allusions Magdalene called Lena: In the New Testament Gospels, Mary Magdalene was known as a woman who became a follower of Jesus after he drove out her demons. She is also described as a woman who was present at the Crucifixion, as an attendant at his burial, and as one of the witnesses to the discovery of the empty tomb three days later. According to the Gospel of Luke, Mary Magdalene is also identified with the repentant prostitute who anointed the feet of Jesus.

Biblical Allusions First Corinthians (Called Cory): The name of a book in the new testament in which the apostle Paul writes to the church in Corinth about the ways to best take care of the church and spread the word of God.

Allusion Circe: In Greek mythology, she is the sorceress who turns Odysseus’ men to swine and enchants Odysseus to become her lover. She eventually serves as a guide to tell him how to find Tiresias and get home to Ithaca.