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

Although religious belief does not exist as a central theme in Toni Morrisons work, it does set premise for a richly intertwined web of symbolism. Morrisons novels focus on the lives of characters acting in the present day or recent past. For African Americans, events of the past atomic number 18 a crucial facet of culture as they seek to look on their history, the most influential of these events reaching far back into the years of slavery. Historians indicate that for incoming slaves, Christianity offered a religious ground for the displaced individual, a soil in which to replant the symbols of their native life storyuality. In interviews and articles regarding her works, Morrison seems to take on a specter of rejection towards the idea that the civilization of blacks was beneficial. However, through her use of blatant parallels to the Bible and axiomatic references to Christian doctrine, it is easy to see how a reader might catch Morrisons stance as one of affirmation of a t least(prenominal) the Christianizing aspect of civilization. Because of the broadness of Morrisons mix in usage of Christian symbols and African American folklore, it is important to define the two facets of faith itself religion and spirituality. Religious structure is built upon dogma, rituals, history, and tradition spirituality exists as the immutable foundation to that religious structure. Carolyn Mitchell explains both concepts most clearly in her see titled, Biblical Revisions in Beloved Religion is the worship of God spirit is God spirituality is the individual manifestation of God in day-by-day life and experience. Spirituality creates an authentic relationship to ones possess life, calling one to be wholly present in and responsible for this life (29). However, her defin... ...er, ever near me, And the sanctified past unfold (Wright). The female childs from puerility were blessings for each some other, the escape from outside pressures that each needed. These p recious memories flood Nel afterwards genus Sulas death when she reflects on her early years with Sula We was girls together, she said as though explaining something (174). The strength of the bond between 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 walking downwardly a road alone as she talks to herself crying 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 estimation I was missing Jude . . . . O Lord, Sula . . . . girl, girl, girlgirlgirl (174).