Toni Morrison, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and one of America’s greatest novelists, was deeply rooted in both the history of African Americans and the enduring tradition of the great books.

Her Song of Solomon (1977) is a richly layered work of poetic prose that draws on African American history and folklore while weaving together classical, Biblical, and mythic themes. Through the journey of Macon “Milkman” Dead III, Morrison explores questions of identity, inheritance, memory, freedom, and human flourishing.

As readers follow his search for his family’s past, they encounter profound reflections on the meaning of names, the bonds of family and community, the burdens of history, and the universal longing to belong. This course will examine how Morrison illuminates both the particular experience of Black Americans and the timeless human quest for home, rootedness, and self-knowledge.

Image: Franz Marc, Birds, 1914

Prof. Parham explores the value of the liberal arts in exploring justice and sociology

Faculty

Angel Adams Parham

Angel Adams Parham is Associate Professor of Sociology and senior fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture (IASC) at the University of Virginia. She is active in public-facing teaching and scholarship where she provides resources and training for K-12 educators who are looking to better integrate Black writers and Black history into their teaching.

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