A Comparison of Christian Symbols in Song of Solomon, Sula, and Beloved

Although religion does not exist as a central theme in Toni Morrisons work, it does set effrontery for a richly intertwined web of symbolism. Morrisons novels focus on the lives of characters playing in the present day or recent gone. For African Americans, events of the past are a crucial facet of culture as they judge to remember their history, the most influential of these events r separatelying far back into the eld of slavery. Historians argue that for incoming slaves, Christianity offered a religious ground for the displaced individual, a dirty record book in which to replant the symbols of their native spirituality. In interviews and articles regarding her works, Morrison seems to take on a tone of rejection towards the idea that the civilization of blacks was beneficial. However, through her use of blatant parallels to the al-Quran and obvious references to Christian doctrine, it is easy to see how a reader energy interpret Morrisons stance as one of affirmation of a t least the Christianizing aspect of civilization. Because of the broadness of Morrisons mix in work of Christian symbols and African American folklore, it is important to define the two facets of combine itself religion and spirituality. Religious structure is built upon dogma, rituals, history, and tradition spirituality exists as the unchanging foundation to that religious structure. Carolyn Mitchell explains both concepts most clearly in her essay titled, Biblical Revisions in Beloved Religion is the worship of graven image spirit is God spirituality is the individual manifestation of God in everyday life and experience. Spirituality creates an authentic relationship to ones own life, calling one to be wholly present in and accountable for this life (29). However, her defin... ...er, ever near me, And the sacred past augment (Wright). The girls from childhood were blessings for each other, the escape from outside pressures that each needed. These precious memories flood ou t Nel after Sulas death when she reflects on her early geezerhood with Sula We was girls together, she said as though explaining something (174). The strength of the bond mingled with Nel and Sula, as well as their failure to recognize the importance of each other before it is too, late follows through to the last page of the book. Nel is manner of walking down a road alone as she talks to herself let loose for Sula, the sacred past unfolds before her (as evident through the authors use of the word girl) and her epiphany serves as the resolution of the book All that time, all that time, I thought I was missing Jude . . . . O Lord, Sula . . . . girl, girl, girlgirlgirl (174).