It's Not Just Black And White

Colors are just colors, right ? Green is just green and gray is just gray. There is no deeper meaning behind them. If that was so, then we wouldn’t judge those who wear all black as being sad all the time, or those wearing bright colors to have a bright personality. In conclusion, yes, colors reveal another layer, a deeper core. Just like every song, every story, every fight, every color has two sides.

When girls mention that they need a “little black dress”, they are going for something classy and formal. On the other hand, a black dress/black attire can reveal death and mystery. Now that we have one example down, let me explain how this all relates to Song Of Solomon by Toni Morrison. In the novel there is mention of “spilling red velvet rose petals” (5) during the suicide of Mr. Smith. In the same scene, a lady is wearing “a black cloche”(5) while singing. The roses are red, while commonly symbolize love, strength, and passion. On the contrary, red can also reveal anger, danger, and warning. In this scenario, red is showing anger and warning. The roses are screaming at those watching the death that Mr. Smith is trying to fly far far away. What makes the roses even more interesting is the fact that they’re fake. The fakeness of the flowers show that the danger and the love is all artificial, not genuine. The sympathy that the community feels for the loss of Mr. Smith is all fake and doesn’t actually come from the heart.

Another instance of color is when Guitar and Milkman go after this white peacock. It is described to have ‘“too much tail’” (179) and all if it’s ‘“jewelry weighs it doe. Like vanity’” (179). Normally when one hears mention of the color white, they think of goodness, purity, and innocence. The darker side shows coldenss, and distance. Neither Guitar or Milkman are 100% innocent. They are both chasing this white peacock, this symbol of purity, in order to fulfill that want and need for that wholesomeness. What they don’t realize, is that in the process they are getting further and further apart from one another and from their roots. Chasing an artificial, fake dream will ultimately lead to their own demise.