The Importance of Names in the Song of Solomon Abstract: In Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon, names have great implications. Language is extremely personal and deeply rooted in culture. Names are an integral part of language and help establish identity, define personality, and display ownership through formal and informal use. "It is none other than your name that is my enemy; / You are yourself, even if not a Montague. / What is Montague? It is neither hand, nor foot, / nor arm, nor face, nor any other part / that belongs to another man / what is in a name we call rose? Romeo, take away thy name, / And by that name that is not part of thee Take all of me." -William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet. In the play Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare says that a name is just a name; which has no real meaning. However, individual names and the names of cultural and racial groups can be very influential, as Malcolm It means what color they are. Puerto Ricans tell you they are something else, they come from somewhere else, but that they are here now doesn't tell you anything" (16). In Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon, which describes the tribulations faced by an African-American family trying to define and find themselves, names have big implications. Language is extremely personal and deeply rooted in culture. The names are an integral part... half the paper... and also many important lessons about his past. It was possible to see the transformation from materialist to worrier that Milkman underwent. By coming to terms with his roots, Milkman managed to become whole; to feel comfortable with who and what he was. Knowledge is power, and having a name and a story are two of the most powerful things you can have. Works cited and consulted Bloom, Harold, ed. Modern Critical Visions: Toni Morrison. New York: Chelsea House Publishing, 1990. Malcolm X. “On African American History.” Audubon Ballroom, Harlem. January 24, 1965.Middleton, David. The Fiction of Toni Morrison: Contemporary Criticism. New York: Garland, 1997. Morrison, Toni. Song of Songs. New York: Plume, 1987.Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. and. Jane Backmann. Lincolnwood: NTC Publishing Group, 1994.