A Flying Soul

Toni Morrison, one of those writers who have played active roles in making black voices heard, is the first Afro-American woman writer who won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1993. In her third novel Song of Solomon, Morrrison gave us a vivid description of development of the male hero, Milkman and of blacks' living situation.This paper analyzes the protagonist Milkman's living circumstance, and his development's impetus. From the rustbelt city to the place of his family's origins, he always attempts to find out a balance point between the mainstream white culture and rootless racial hatred, and to change for adapting to the society. His personality's change is not only due to family influences from the parents, aunt and ancestor, but also to social influences from white culture and racial revenged group "the Seven Day". After the journey south to seek the family history and authentic names, he finally understands the essence of love and significance of identity, and realizes the dream of flying in the air, without ever leaving the ground.