P.157-158-from “Wait a minute, Guitar.” to “So the numbers have to remain static.”

In this passage Toni Morisson presents the strange philosophy of Guitar and his attitude towards white people.

Since Guitar was raised in a poor family and has witnessed the death of his father, he has stored much anger in his heart. That is why, at some point in his life, he decides to let this anger out. Unfortunately, Guitar chooses to direct his anger toward white people. He believes that white people are guilty for all evil in the world. In addition, Guitar calls them ‘unnatural’. The character thinks of white people as ill: “Nothing can cure them…”(Song of Solomon, 158). Guitar is so blinded by his hatred of whites that he cannot realize that he is the sick one. He is gradually turning into a serial killer.

In this part of the novel, Milkman’s views are in contrast to Guitar’s views. Milkman does not approve of his friend’s behavior and philosophy. Milkman cannot even understand Guitar’s reasons for murdering white people: “I’m not understanding you” (Song of Solomon 158). Milkman realizes that killing innocent white people does not solve any problem. Milkman is against the murders of people and wants to prevent future murders. Although Milkman tries to open the eyes of his friend, Guitar refuses to do so. He sticks to the belief that white people kill black people in order to have fun, to gain power, and gain public attention. That is why, Guitar participates in the organization Seven Days. He is going to continue killing whites in order to keep the ration of blacks and whites static.

Guitar is unable to cope with his anger, thus he allows the anger to control his life.

In this novel, Morrison wants to stress on the fact that the murders of white people that Guitar performs neither combat racism nor help the African-American community in any way. On the contrary, these drastic measures just hinder the Afro-American’s development.