It has been pretty quiet out there—I hope everyone is doing the reading. In fact, I want you to be finished with Part One very soon (day or two). When you finish Part One, feel free to respond to any of the following questions (or post questions of your own).

As a female writer, does Morrison accurately portray her male characters? This novel was her first attempt using a male protagonist, is she successful?

Part One focuses on three families—Pilate, Reba, and Hagar; Macon, Ruth, and children; Dr. Forster and Ruth. Each of these families is dysfunctional in their own way. How do the relationships in these families influence specific characters? For example, why does Hagar become crazy with her “anaconda love?” What do you make of Ruth’s “I am a small woman” speech? Magdalene and First Corinthians are relatively stagnant and without love, do you blame the men in their life for inability to function as adult women?

Milkman’s birth is simultaneous with the suicide of a man who leaps from the roof of the hospital. Any significance or reason for the juxtaposition of these two events?

Guitar and the Seven Days. There are many flaws in Guitar’s argument when he explains his involvement with the Seven Days, but I am curious if anyone thinks Guitar is somewhat justified and why. Also, I remember when I first studied this novel, a teacher told me that the Seven Days was grounded in historical truth. That was years ago. If someone would research this and share what they learn, I am sure we would all appreciate it.

The peacock becomes an obvious symbol, and potential foreshadowing, as we learn that peacocks cannot fly because “all that jewelry weighs it down. Like vanity. Cant nobody fly with all that shit. Wanna fly, you got to five up the shit that weighs you down.” Perhaps something here.

I admit that I still haven’t made much sense of Pilate’s lack of a navel. Her smooth stomach isolates her from society, since those who know of her condition shun her. Moreover, her physical condition symbolizes her thorough independence of others (even as a fetus…I guess). But what else? Anyone with something interesting to add to Pilate would be helpful.

These are just some starters…what else shall we talk about?