Song of Solomon

The characters of Song of Solomon complement each other in unusual ways. Certain characters, like Macon, Ruth, and their children, are "supposed" to display more civilized and sociably acceptable behavior. Other characters, Pilate, Reba, Hagar, and Guitar, are expected to behave like those on the other end of the social spectrum. In reality, it's the least likely of characters who exhibit the most highly regarded characteristics. Pilate, specifically, is a good example of this. The audience receives details of her appearance--she "was as poorly dressed as the doctor's daughter was well dressed" (5). From the beginning, her character is described as exactly the opposite of Macon, who is proper, neat and always dressed professionally. At first glance, Pilate is the disgraceful one. As the story develops, the audience can see how the personalities and beliefs of each character are also opposites. They not only contrast each other, they also contrast what is expected/perceived of each character. Macon's love of property and lack of morals do not match the kind of success and power given to his character. Pilate, who chooses to live the way that many of her neighbors try so hard to improve/escape from, seems to have her life more together. Appearances are misguiding and rarely are first appearences correct in this story.

Pilate's character is mysterious. She doesn't always make sense, and she often leaves the reader questioning her thoughts and motives. Though she has spent much of her life helping (and being surrounded by) women, she is quick to call them weak and foolish. This is an idea that reoccurs throughout the story. While many of the female characters do come off this way (Ruth and her daughters are weak, Hagar and Reba are foolish), the reader has to question if the men in the story are any better. Pilate appears to be the only character free from these characteristics. She seems to be all-knowing. So personally I wonder why she would make this statement. Why are women weak? Perhaps women's greatest (or sole?) weakness is how they rely on men.

It's Pilate's complexity and contradictory nature that make her such an important character in the telling of the story.