Contrast

Contrast. The state of being strikingly different from something else, typically something in juxtaposition or close association.

As I read Song of Solomon more and more, the difference in certain characters became more clarified. Despite being connected with a definite understanding of Macon Dead, Pilate and Ruth could not be more different. How does the same single person influence two lives in such a drastically different measure? The answer to the question starts off with the one very strong, similar connection between Pilate and Ruth: Macon. Macon has inflicted much pain on both Pilate and Ruth. Stealing “money” from Pilate and brainwashing Milkman are significant examples from the book to show Macon’s disloyalty, greed, and cold-hearted nature. However, the reception of this hate is differed by the attitude of the women. Although Pilate is poor and lonely, she has a strong sense of justice and faith to her family. On the same coin, Ruth is wealthy and refined, but at the same time she is weak, selfish, and entirely dependent on others. While Pilate values nature and morals, Ruth relies on materialistic possessions. On top of that, Pilate takes control of her life and shapes her future to her liking, while Ruth’s unstableness drags herself to all corners of sadness. Perhaps these very differences are the connecting force for both women. Perhaps these events and characteristics connect both women to their love and care for Milkman. Despite being only Macon's aunt, Pilate saves Milkman time and time again: "she had it all together when she got there" (205). On the surface, no one is more dissimilar that Pilate and Ruth, but both of them together are a symbol of shared love. Shared love is the most important factor in the entire book. It is the exact idea that each of the characters struggle with and hopefully will become their “happily ever after.”