Meaning

Before I continue reading I decided that I should look up the most evident and important allusions that aren't explained in the novel

Ruth
Like many other ones on the book, Ruth is a biblical name. Meaning companion in Hebrew, the name fits the character's role in the novel. In the Book of Ruth in the Bible, Ruth tells her mother-in-law that "Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay." In Song of Solomon, Ruth marries Macon and, although they kind of hate each other, she remains his oppressed and obedient wife. In both cases Ruth represents faithfulness, but Morrison shows it in a bad way. 

Pilate
Named accidentally after the procurator of Jesus trial, Macon's sister so far is a figure of bad influence in the book. Macon doesn't let his children know anything about her because she is a snake. She hasn't done anything in particular to make him hate her but he says her way of being is enough. Pilate's name also shows how African Americans' disadvantages, in this case education, stick to them through life. Her dad picked a name at random of the bible and unluckily chose the name of a traitor. Even though her name might mean that she's a bad influence, as Milkman gets to know her it seems more like it might represent that she was unfairly troubled since her birth, like Blacks were treated badly although they didn't do anything. 

First Corinthians
First Corinthians contains some of the most famous phrases of the New Testament. In the novel, she's the only one of the family that went to college, so Morrison perhaps used her name to show her knowledge. Some important quotations from the Bible book include "all things to all men," "without love, I am nothing" and "when I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I though as a child," all which relate to Morrison's thoughts. The book clearly comments on inequality and discrimination, feminism and growing up, reflected by these quotations respectively. 

Magdalene called Lena
Named after Mary Magdalene, Milkman's sister will probably represent either something controversial or support. In "history," she was suspected to be a prostitute, Jesus' lover or wife and/or another disciple. She helped him along his life, making her one of the most important women in the Bible. I haven't noticed so far how the biblical story might relate to the novel's character but I thought it's probably useful to have this possible allusion in mind.

Hagar
All the controversy going on with Islam and jihad is Hagar's fault. Apparently she gave birth to Abraham's first son, as she was his slave and his wife couldn't have children, but then his wife had another child. The brotherly fight between Ishmael, Hagar's son, and Isaac created two religions. In Song of Solomon, Hagar is Pilate's granddaughter and Milkman's crush. I have yet to see how Hagar's symbolic tale, which I oversimplified, relates to the novel.

Song of Solomon

Song of Solomon is the last book of the Old Testament, one that talks about love and sex. AKA the Song of Songs, this book or song is supposed to be one of the greatest. It also comments on the relationship between God and Israel. As in the last names I've mentioned, the title's meaning isn't clear still. I guess I'll write a blog post about it later. 

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Vocabulary:

• Bereft: deprived or lacking something.
  

• Stout: fat or heavy built/brave and determined.

• Lilt: pleasant sound or accent.
  

• Sturdy: strongly and solidly built.
  

• Lithe: thin and graceful.
  

• Hearse: vehicle for carrying a coffin to a funeral.
  

• Pique: feeling of irritation or resentment.