home by toni morrison essay

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First published in 2012, Home , written by Pulitzer-Prize-winning novelist Toni Morrison, tells the story of Frank Money , a 24-year-old black Korean War veteran who is summoned to Atlanta, Georgia, to rescue his sister, Cee. He receives a note that reads “‘Come fast. She be dead if you tarry’” (8) from an unknown woman. The main story of the novel begins with Frank’s escape from a hospital’s mental health ward. He was put in the ward because, on his way to visit Cee, he lapsed into erratic behavior and was discovered by the police. Frank’s ambitious ex-girlfriend, Lily, assumes that Frank suffers from bouts of insanity and cannot hold down a job because he is traumatized by memories of the Korean War. Preferring to have control over her life and apartment, Lily is relieved when Frank leaves her to find his sister.

The third-person narrator’s story of Frank’s journey to find Cee is interspersed with Frank’s own shorter first-person narrative of his life experiences and his thoughts on the narrator’s endeavor. Frank spent his childhood with Cee in the backward town of Lotus , Georgia. The children of indifferent parents, Frank and Cee are despised by their step-grandmother, Lenore, who mistreats them. Lenore thinks that Cee is especially deplorable because she was born on the road, following the Money family’s eviction from their Texas farm.

Meanwhile, sheltered by Frank since childhood, Cee does not build up any defenses of her own. Once Frank enlists in the army and leaves Lotus, Cee falls for Principal (or “Prince,” as he calls himself), a man from out of town who marries her and carries her off to Atlanta in the family Ford. After barely a month of marriage, Principal runs off with the car, leaving Cee to fend for herself in Atlanta. When Cee needs more money than her kitchen job can provide, she finds a job as the assistant of a Dr. Beauregard Scott . She admires the doctor and misses the signs of his malpractice, though he immediately asks her about her sexual experience and has race science books on his shelf. 

On his long journey to Georgia, Frank remembers his adolescent restlessness in Lotus, his excitement about fighting in Korea, and the brutal deaths of his best buddies, Mike and Stuff. Most disturbingly, he remembers the way a guard shot a Korean child in the face after he was tempted by the way she stroked his crotch. 

When Frank arrives in Atlanta, he rescues Cee from Dr. Beauregard’s house. Cee is fatigued, thin, and bleeding intensely between the legs, because Dr. Beauregard has a fascination with wombs and has been experimenting intensely on Cee’s. Frank takes Cee to Miss Ethel Fordham’s house back in Lotus to be cured. Miss Ethel and the neighborhood women banish Frank from the house while they subject Cee to their tough-loving home cures. 

Cee is nursed back to health and absorbs some of her healers’ common sense and hardiness. However, their cures cannot reverse the infertility that results from Dr. Beauregard’s experiments. When Cee has visions of a smiling girl-child who needs a mother, Frank is provoked to confess to the narrator that he is the soldier tempted by the little Korean girl and the one who shot her in the face. 

Both Frank and Cee grow stronger by facing the uncomfortable truth. The story ends with the two of them visiting a childhood haunt to dig up the body of a man killed in the human equivalent of a dogfight and bury him in a coffin made from Cee’s homemade quilt. When they feel they have made their retributions, they can return home to Lotus, a place where they finally feel they belong.

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Home (Morrison Novel)

By toni morrison, home (morrison novel) essay questions.

In what way does Cee's lack of education harm her? Could her infertility have been avoided if she had been a little more educated?

Cee has very little education and is therefore unable to recognize the malpractice that she encounters in Dr. Beauregard's office, and also fails to spot the warning signs that might have allowed her to avoid becoming his victim. The first time that she goes to his office, she sees his bookcase which holds many books upon it about eugenics and race, but Cee doesn't know what eugenics is and cannot see the warning signs. Had Cee known what eugenics is, or been able to understand what the book titles meant, she might have made the connection between the "experiments" Dr. Beauregard was doing, and the subject matter on his bookshelf. The author is making the connection here between the lack of education available to Black women at the time and the way in which they were abused by men such as Dr. Beauregard. On the other hand, Cee frankly admits that the women in Lotus are not educated yet are much more intelligent than her; they would not have been fooled by Dr. Scott. Intelligence isn't necessarily gleaned only from books but also from life experience, and Frank's position as Cee's protector also limited her ability to think for herself.

Why does Frank remember the incident of the shooting of the Korean girl, but not that he was the shooter?

Frank suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and probably did so even when still serving in Korea. The deaths of his friends that he witnessed while serving haunt him, as does the image of the little girl. He remembers how traumatic the event was, but has blocked the memory of participating in it himself because it is simply more than he is able to deal with or process. It is not until his sister is brutalized that he is able to face the truth of what he has done; in this way, he and Cee are facing the truths of their lives together. He is finally able to admit to himself that he blamed a young girl for tempting him and shot her in the face because of it. He is also able to deal with the truth better than the obfuscation that he has used to shield himself from what he did. It is a suppressed memory but once he is able to allow himself to fully and accurately remember it, he is able to move forward.

What is difficult for Frank in returning from Korea?

Aside from the obvious difficulties, such as coping with civilian life again, coming to terms with the violent and brutal deaths of his best friends while in Korea, and struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, one of the most difficult things for Frank to deal with is the segregation at home. He served in an integrated military and was used to at least a modicum of equality. When he arrives home again after serving, not much has changed. He is still a second-class citizen in the North and the South, navigating hostile police, indifferent doctors, segregated transportation, violence, and more. Though Morrison doesn't explicitly mention the civil rights movement in the novel, it's no surprise given what Frank faces that the early events of that movement would be beginning imminently.

Who is the unknown narrator?

We do not know exactly who this narrator is; we can only speculate. What we do know is it is someone unnamed, someone Frank may not know or only know somewhat, someone whose task is to listen to him. There are a few interpretations of the role of the narrator, such as Irene Visser's, which suggests that "from the perspective of trauma theory, Morrison's use of a silent listener in Home emphasizes the significance of listening as part of the healing process of trauma." The narrator may be Morrison, it may be us; in some respects, it does not matter, for Frank's telling of his tale is what brings him peace, not the identity of the person to whom he is doing the telling.

What is the significance of the zoot-suited man?

First and foremost, the man is a ghost who haunts Frank to remind him of the traumas he experienced in Korea—that much is obvious. But why a zoot suit? Katrina Harack writes that Frank notes that "these suits were once seen as 'signals of manhood' that were powerful enough to 'interest riot cops on each coast.' The wearing of zoot suits was an urban trend, enacted by black men who wished to display their urbanity, empowerment, style, and public visibility. Frank has never seen one worn in person, and calls it a 'costume,' showing awareness that zoot-suiters manipulated traditional white male clothing, creating a display of masculine power in a society that made black men invisible." This may be a way for Frank to imagine a Black man very different from himself, one who has a "home" wherever he goes.

Home (Morrison Novel) Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Home (Morrison Novel) is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Study Guide for Home (Morrison Novel)

Home study guide contains a biography of Toni Morrison, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Home (Morrison Novel)
• Home (Morrison Novel) Summary
• Character List

Essays for Home (Morrison Novel)

Home essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Home by Toni Morrison.

• The Temporal Realities of Imagined Pasts in Home and Yellow Earth
• Dehumanization of the African-American Community: Insights from Home

Lesson Plan for Home (Morrison Novel)

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Home (Morrison Novel)
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Home (Morrison Novel) Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for Home (Morrison Novel)

• Introduction

Race and Meaning of Home in Toni Morrison’s Novel Essay

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The concept of “home” typically refers to a set of material, physical, and economic conditions in which a household – often a family or other kinship group – lives in a position of long-term security within a single domain or a broader yet close-knit community. In an essay on the topic, Toni Morrison discusses this traditional definition of “home” by arguing the concept refers not just to a domestic setting with a roof but rather to a place of long-term residence that provides safety and security. She represents this concept by describing a woman in her home as able to “rise from her bed and sit on the steps in the moonlight. And if she felt like it, she could walk down the road without a lamp and without no fear” (Home Essay). In her novel Home, however, Morrison argues that the history of race and racism in the United States complicates the concept of home. Her text represents the way that race, a historically and socially constructed concept, produces a form of Black identity that becomes a second, inescapable home that severely impacts the ability to enjoy the material security a traditional concept of home would provide.

In her essay on the subject of “home,” Morrison describes a sense of security devoid of reference to racism or violence. Safety in one’s domestic environment is produced through inference from these socially-based constructions. In her novel, however, such abstractions are banished to describe how the protagonist, Frank, encounters forms of violence and exclusion, especially in his appeal to community members in Lotus for assistance at the end of the text. The story says, “Miss Ethel? You in there? Frank Hollard. It is me, Smart Money. Miss Ethel.” (Morrison, 116). Frank and Cee are desparate for Miss Ethel to take him in, and he needs someone to make him and Cee feel safe again.

Despite being a social construction, Morrison’s novel suggests that race is a more “real” and fundamental “home” for Black Americans than a supposedly more concrete, material structure that typically constitutes concepts of a home. When Frank travels across the nation to hunt for his little sister, he endures the violent conditions that racism produces. For instance, in Chicago, Frank and Billy are accosted by the police based on their appearance, as when “[t]he police would have thought so too, but during the random search outside the shoe store, they just patted pockets, not the inside of work boots.” (Morrison, 37) The only reason the police decided to stop the two and search them was because of how they dressed. Later, Billy tells a story about how his son’s life was changed forever by the police: “Drive-by cop. He had a cap pistol. Eight years old, running up and down the sidewalk pointing it. Some redneck rookie thought his dick was underappreciated by his brother cops” (Morrison, 31). The police in Chicago during this time disregarded Black life. These forms of racism change Billy’s sense of how safe their home could possibly be. One’s home cannot accord to the definition of the term – safety and security – if the supposed guardians of private property, the police, harass you. Instead, one’s race becomes one’s “home without a home.”

The idea of “home without a home” is supported by the fact that physical home means little for Frank. Home in its physical sense does not generate in Frank a sense of belonging. Instead, throughout the book, it is race and racial communities that provide security and family, which racial prejudices undermine. The concept of racial prejudices that affect the perception of black race as inferior is traced in Frank’s memories of his childhood. Thus, his parents were “beat from work” because they could only find the lower-paid jobs and the beating they received from life in the form of police aggression and harassment are reflected in their treatment of their children. The description of Frank’s childhood serves as to portray race as a kind of social construction where people are enclosed by the color of their skin.

The idea of a home as a kind of ‘ghetto’, inescapable due to the prejudices that Afro-Americans face, is further developed when Frank speaks about his hometown. In fact, the very city he lives in generates a feeling of revolt. Thus, Frank says, “You all go fight, come back, they treat you like dogs” meaning that in his hometown there is nothing he wants to get back to, that is why he chooses to seek his chance elsewhere (Morrison, 18). In fact, Frank is even grateful for the chance in the army, because there, death gives equal chance for everyone, unlike Lotus governed by prejudices against the black race.

However, as an answer to racism that has a tremendous impact on the lives of Afro-Americans, they forge another kind of home – that of community where all people can find support and a sense of belonging. Thus, Frank says that his sister is his closest friend and opposes his attitude to her to the attitude to ‘home’ he lived in. Frank says, “Lotus, Georgia, is the worst place in the world, worse than any battlefield[…]It sure didn’t look like anyplace youd want to be[…]Thank the Lord for the army[…]Only my sister in trouble could force me to even think about going in that direction” (Morrison, 83-84). When Frank returns from the army, it is his sister he perceives as ‘home’ and family, and not the place where he lives. There is no security in town or in the house, but he feels he can find love and sympathy in his sister. The very fact that he took care of her since her first days is suggestive: it denotes his deep bond with his ancestors, with Afro-American community who, like Frank, have suffered tremendous injustice and aggression and carry this burden in their hearts.

This shared experience as well as the perception of one’s hometown as ghetto where no justice or human attitude can be found forges a strong bond among all members of African American community. Historically, the American house was often a plantation in the South of the United States and pushed African Americans behind its walls. Thus, the exiles were forced to look for a home somewhere else, forming communities on the outskirts. These communities, according to Morrison, were perceived as true home by those who lived there since there were people one could always count on and a place to return. The idea is well expressed by Frank when he says that “[His sister] was a shadow for most of my life[…]who am I without her?” (Morrison, 103). When Frank meets love, there is again the feeling of return, of belonging that no place in the world could have given to him apart from his sister and community. Frank says, “in her company the little wishbone V took up residence in my own chest and made itself at home[…] I felt like I’d come home. Finally. I’d been wandering. Not totally homeless, but close” (Morrison, 68). Thus, family and community bonds for Afro-Americans replace the notion of home in its physical meaning of a place one lives in and wants to return.

The very fact that Frank travelled a lot renders the idea of physical home as an empty unloved place more credibility. When Frank’s friends die, the boys he grew up in his hometown with, Lotus becomes devoid of any meaning for him, a place he wants to escape. Thus, Morrison writes that “all color disappeared and the world became a black-and-white movie screen” referring to Frank’s losing his sense of belonging when he loses his friends and family, the community that constitutes his home (68). Further Frank travels around the country without any knowledge of where he is going to stay since he loses his only home – that forged through his bonds with Afro-American community. At the same time, in the physical sense, he belongs everywhere since he has travelled widely and it does not make any difference for him where to live. Thus, he says, “ Aw, man. Korea, Kentucky, San Diego, Seattle, Georgia. Name it I’m from it” (Morrison, 28). No place is dear to his heart as these are community bonds that make his home and not some particular place.

The title of the book is also suggestive. On the one hand, it refers to the home Frank has never had – a space where one has security and comfort largely denied to Afro-Americans due to racial prejudices. On the other hand, it may refer to his strong spiritual connection to racial community he belongs to. Finally, it may refer to his family tree and bonds with his Afro-American ancestors who suffered the same treatment as Frank. In the final chapter, it is a tree Frank is looking at, which is “hurt right down the middle, but alive and well” (Morrison, 147). The tree may be allegory to Frank’s life, when he suffered aggression, misunderstanding, dog-like treatment on the part of whites but this very attitude pushed him to seek love and support in his racial community.

Morrison combines poetry, violence, and storytelling in one work. The story describes how black men have protracted conversations about shared and individual memories and experiences. In her work, Morrison highlights the most upsetting human situations changing the readers’ perception on the meaning of home. According to the writer, in Afro-American communities home is, one the one hand, associated with authenticity, race and community belonging and, on the other, is seen as a ghetto out of which people cannot escape. The idea of race as home is brought about by the prejudices and violence against Afro-Americans. The notion of race as a ghetto is closely connected with the idea of social construction that is formed by segregation practices, aggression and violence towards Afro-American population of the country.

Morrison, Toni. Home . Christian Bourgois Éditeur, 2012.

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IvyPanda. (2023, November 26). Race and Meaning of Home in Toni Morrison's Novel. https://ivypanda.com/essays/race-and-meaning-of-home-in-toni-morrisons-novel/

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Bibliography

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Lit. Summaries

• Biographies

Exploring the Themes and Symbolism in Toni Morrison’s Home: A Literary Analysis

• Toni Morrison

Toni Morrison’s Home is a powerful novel that explores themes of race, identity, and belonging. Through the story of Frank Money, a Korean War veteran who returns to his hometown in Georgia, Morrison delves into the complex history of the American South and the ways in which it shapes the lives of its inhabitants. In this article, we will analyze the themes and symbolism in Home, examining how Morrison uses language and imagery to convey her message about the enduring legacy of racism in America.

Historical Context

Toni Morrison’s Home is a novel that explores the themes of race, identity, and belonging in the context of the 1950s. This was a time when the Civil Rights Movement was gaining momentum, and African Americans were fighting for their rights and equality. The novel is set in a small town in Georgia, where the protagonist, Frank Money, returns after serving in the Korean War. The town is still deeply segregated, and Frank struggles to find his place in a society that sees him as a second-class citizen. Morrison’s novel is a powerful commentary on the racial tensions of the time and the struggle for African American identity and belonging.

Race and Identity

In Toni Morrison’s Home, the themes of race and identity are central to the story. The novel explores the experiences of Frank Money, a Korean War veteran who returns to his hometown of Lotus, Georgia, to confront the traumas of his past. As a black man in the Jim Crow South, Frank struggles to reconcile his sense of self with the racist attitudes and systems that surround him. Morrison’s portrayal of Frank’s journey highlights the complex ways in which race and identity intersect and shape our lives. Through Frank’s story, she invites readers to reflect on their own experiences of race and identity, and to consider the ways in which these factors influence our sense of self and our place in the world.

The Significance of the Title

The title of a literary work is often the first point of contact between the reader and the text. It is the first impression that the reader has of the work and can set the tone for the entire reading experience. In Toni Morrison’s Home, the title is significant in several ways. Firstly, it is a simple and straightforward title that immediately suggests the central theme of the novel – the search for a sense of belonging and home. Secondly, the title is ironic in that the characters in the novel are constantly searching for a home, but the physical home they return to is not a place of safety or comfort. Finally, the title is symbolic in that it represents the larger societal issues of displacement and the search for identity that are prevalent in the novel. Overall, the title of Home is a powerful and evocative choice that sets the stage for the complex themes and symbolism that are explored throughout the novel.

Family Dynamics

One of the central themes in Toni Morrison’s Home is the exploration of family dynamics. The novel delves into the complexities of familial relationships, particularly those between siblings and parents and their children. The characters in the novel are all struggling with their own personal demons, and their relationships with their family members are often strained as a result.

One of the most prominent examples of this is the relationship between Frank and Cee. Frank is the older brother, and he feels a deep sense of responsibility for Cee. However, he is also struggling with his own trauma from his time in the Korean War, and this makes it difficult for him to connect with Cee on a deeper level. Cee, on the other hand, is searching for her own identity and trying to break free from the expectations placed on her by her family.

The novel also explores the relationship between parents and their children. Frank and Cee’s parents are absent from their lives, and this has a profound impact on both of them. Frank is left to take care of Cee on his own, and this responsibility weighs heavily on him. Cee, meanwhile, is left feeling abandoned and alone.

Overall, the exploration of family dynamics in Home is a powerful and poignant aspect of the novel. It highlights the ways in which our relationships with our family members can shape our lives and our identities, and it underscores the importance of connection and understanding in these relationships.

The Importance of Memory

Memory is a crucial aspect of human existence. It shapes our identity, informs our decisions, and influences our relationships. In Toni Morrison’s Home, memory plays a central role in the lives of the characters. The novel explores the impact of memory on individuals and communities, highlighting the importance of remembering one’s past in order to move forward. Through the use of symbolism and imagery, Morrison emphasizes the power of memory to shape our understanding of the world around us. As readers delve deeper into the novel, they are reminded of the significance of memory in shaping our lives and the world we inhabit.

The Role of Women

In Toni Morrison’s Home, the role of women is a prominent theme that is explored throughout the novel. The female characters in the book are portrayed as strong and resilient, despite the challenges they face in a society that is dominated by men. One of the main characters, Cee, is a young woman who is forced to navigate the complexities of race and gender in the 1950s. Despite the obstacles she faces, Cee is determined to assert her independence and make her own way in the world. Another female character, Ethel, is a wise and compassionate woman who serves as a mentor to Cee. Through her guidance, Cee is able to find the strength to overcome her struggles and emerge as a powerful force in her own right. Overall, the role of women in Home is a testament to the resilience and strength of the female spirit, and serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of gender equality in our society.

The Concept of Home

The concept of home is a central theme in Toni Morrison’s novel, Home. The novel explores the idea of what it means to have a home and how it shapes one’s identity. The characters in the novel are all searching for a place to call home, whether it be physical or emotional. For some, home is a place of safety and comfort, while for others it is a place of pain and trauma. Morrison uses the concept of home to explore the complexities of race, gender, and identity in America. Through her characters, she shows how the idea of home can be both a source of strength and a source of oppression. Ultimately, Home is a powerful exploration of the human need for a sense of belonging and the struggle to find it in a world that often denies it.

The Symbolism of Birds

Birds have long been used as symbols in literature, representing a range of ideas and emotions. In Toni Morrison’s Home, birds play a significant role in the story’s themes and symbolism. For example, the character of Frank Money is haunted by the memory of a bird he killed as a child, which represents his guilt and shame over his past actions. Additionally, the bird motif is used to explore the idea of freedom and escape, as the characters in the novel are all searching for a way to break free from their past traumas and find a sense of liberation. Overall, the use of birds in Home adds depth and complexity to the novel’s themes and helps to create a rich and layered narrative.

The Use of Flashbacks

The use of flashbacks is a prominent literary device in Toni Morrison’s Home. The novel is structured around the memories of its protagonist, Frank Money, as he reflects on his experiences during the Korean War and his childhood in Lotus, Georgia. These flashbacks serve to deepen the reader’s understanding of Frank’s character and the themes of the novel, such as the impact of racism and trauma on individuals and communities. Morrison’s use of flashbacks also highlights the cyclical nature of history and the ways in which the past continues to shape the present. Overall, the use of flashbacks in Home adds depth and complexity to the novel’s exploration of its themes and characters.

The Impact of Trauma

Trauma is a recurring theme in Toni Morrison’s Home. The novel explores the impact of trauma on individuals and communities, particularly in the context of racism and violence. The characters in the novel are all affected by trauma in different ways, and their experiences highlight the lasting effects of violence and oppression. Through the use of symbolism and imagery, Morrison portrays the psychological and emotional toll of trauma, as well as the resilience and strength of those who have survived it. Overall, Home is a powerful exploration of the impact of trauma on individuals and society, and a testament to the human capacity for healing and growth.

The Power of Language

Language is a powerful tool that can be used to convey a wide range of emotions and ideas. In Toni Morrison’s Home, language plays a significant role in shaping the characters’ identities and relationships. The novel explores the power dynamics of language, particularly in the context of race and gender. Morrison’s use of language highlights the ways in which language can be used to both oppress and empower individuals. Through the characters’ interactions with language, Morrison reveals the complexities of communication and the importance of understanding the nuances of language in order to truly connect with others. Overall, Home demonstrates the power of language to shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

The Theme of Belonging

The theme of belonging is a prominent one in Toni Morrison’s Home. The novel explores the idea of what it means to belong and the consequences of not feeling like one belongs. The main character, Frank Money, is a Korean War veteran who returns home to Georgia feeling disconnected from his family and community. He struggles to find a sense of belonging and purpose in his life. Morrison uses the theme of belonging to highlight the impact of racism and discrimination on individuals and communities. Through Frank’s journey, the novel shows how a lack of belonging can lead to feelings of isolation, despair, and even violence. Ultimately, Home suggests that true belonging comes from accepting oneself and others, regardless of race or background.

The Symbolism of Flowers

Flowers have been used as symbols in literature for centuries, and Toni Morrison’s Home is no exception. In the novel, flowers are used to represent various themes and ideas, such as beauty, growth, and transformation. For example, the character of Frank Money, who is struggling to come to terms with his traumatic experiences in the Korean War, finds solace in the beauty of flowers. He describes them as “miracles” and sees them as a symbol of hope and renewal. Similarly, the character of Cee Money, Frank’s sister, undergoes a transformation throughout the novel, and this is reflected in the flowers that surround her. At the beginning of the story, she is surrounded by dead and dying flowers, but as she begins to heal and grow, the flowers around her become more vibrant and alive. Overall, the use of flowers in Home adds depth and richness to the novel’s themes and symbolism, and serves as a powerful reminder of the beauty and resilience of the human spirit.

The Role of Religion

Religion plays a significant role in Toni Morrison’s Home, as it is a central theme throughout the novel. The characters in the novel are deeply religious, and their beliefs shape their actions and decisions. The novel explores the role of religion in shaping identity, community, and morality. The characters’ religious beliefs are often in conflict with their desires and aspirations, and this tension creates a sense of complexity and depth in the novel. Morrison uses religious symbolism and imagery to convey the characters’ struggles and to explore the larger themes of the novel. Overall, religion is an essential element of Home, and it adds to the richness and complexity of the novel.

The Significance of Names

In Toni Morrison’s Home, the significance of names is a recurring theme that adds depth and complexity to the characters and their relationships. The names of the characters are not just labels, but rather they carry a weight of history, culture, and identity. For example, the protagonist, Frank Money, has a name that reflects his struggle with his own sense of worth and belonging. The name “Money” suggests a materialistic and capitalist society that values wealth over human connection and compassion. Frank’s journey to find his sister, Cee, and to confront his traumatic past is a quest for a different kind of currency, one that is based on love, empathy, and community. Similarly, Cee’s name is short for “Celestial,” which implies a sense of otherworldliness and spirituality. However, Cee’s experiences in the novel are far from heavenly, as she faces racism, sexism, and medical abuse. Her name becomes a symbol of the gap between her aspirations and her reality, and her struggle to bridge that gap. Overall, the names in Home are not just arbitrary choices, but rather they are carefully crafted to convey the themes and symbolism of the novel.

The Theme of Redemption

The theme of redemption is a prominent one in Toni Morrison’s Home. The novel explores the idea of redemption through the character of Frank Money, a Korean War veteran who returns home to Georgia after experiencing trauma and violence during the war. Throughout the novel, Frank struggles to come to terms with his past and find a way to move forward.

One of the ways in which Morrison explores the theme of redemption is through the use of symbolism. For example, the character of Lily, a young girl who Frank meets on his journey home, is often associated with the idea of redemption. Lily is described as having a “bright, pure light” that seems to shine from within her. This light is a symbol of hope and redemption, and it serves as a reminder to Frank that there is still goodness in the world.

Another way in which Morrison explores the theme of redemption is through the character of Cee, Frank’s sister. Cee is a strong and resilient character who has also experienced trauma and violence in her life. However, unlike Frank, Cee is able to find a way to move forward and find redemption. She does this by confronting her past and taking control of her own life.

Overall, the theme of redemption is a powerful one in Home. Through the use of symbolism and character development, Morrison explores the idea that redemption is possible, even in the face of great adversity.

The Symbolism of Water

Water is a recurring symbol in Toni Morrison’s Home, representing both life and death. The novel opens with Frank Money’s memories of a childhood incident where he and his sister Cee almost drowned in a river. This traumatic experience haunts Frank throughout the novel, and water becomes a symbol of danger and fear for him. However, water also represents rebirth and renewal. When Frank returns to Lotus, Georgia, he is drawn to the town’s healing waters, which are said to have restorative powers. This water symbolizes the possibility of redemption and a new beginning for Frank. Additionally, water is often associated with femininity and motherhood in the novel. Cee’s journey to find her own identity and independence is paralleled with her pregnancy, which is described as a “swelling” and “ripening” like a fruit. The water that surrounds and nourishes the fetus is a symbol of the maternal love and protection that Cee never received from her own mother. Overall, the symbolism of water in Home is complex and multifaceted, representing both danger and hope, death and rebirth, and the power of maternal love.

The Importance of Community

In Toni Morrison’s Home, the importance of community is a recurring theme that is explored throughout the novel. The story takes place in a small town in Georgia during the 1950s, where the African American community is struggling to find their place in a society that is still deeply divided by race. The novel highlights the ways in which community can provide a sense of belonging and support, even in the face of adversity.

One of the most powerful examples of this is the character of Frank Money, a Korean War veteran who returns home to find that he no longer fits in with the people and places he once knew. Frank is haunted by the trauma of war and struggles with alcoholism and depression. However, he finds solace in the community of fellow veterans who gather at the local barbershop. These men understand the pain and isolation that Frank is experiencing, and they offer him a sense of camaraderie and understanding that he cannot find elsewhere.

Similarly, the women of the town form a tight-knit community that provides support and protection for one another. When Frank’s sister, Cee, falls ill and is taken advantage of by a white doctor, it is the women of the town who come together to seek justice and ensure that Cee receives the care she needs. This community of women represents a powerful force of resistance against the racism and sexism that pervades their society.

Overall, Home emphasizes the importance of community as a source of strength and resilience in the face of oppression and trauma. Through the characters of Frank and Cee, Morrison shows how individuals can find a sense of belonging and purpose through their connections to others. The novel reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles, and that the support of a community can make all the difference in our lives.

The Theme of Freedom

The theme of freedom is a prevalent motif in Toni Morrison’s Home. Throughout the novel, the characters struggle with the concept of freedom and what it truly means to be free. The protagonist, Frank Money, is a Korean War veteran who returns home to Georgia after experiencing the horrors of war. He is haunted by his past and struggles to find a sense of belonging and freedom in his own country.

Morrison uses the character of Frank to explore the complexities of freedom and how it is often tied to race and class. Frank is a black man living in the Jim Crow South, where segregation and discrimination are rampant. He is constantly reminded of his lack of freedom and the limitations placed on him because of his race.

The theme of freedom is also explored through the character of Cee, Frank’s sister. Cee is a young woman who is forced to navigate the patriarchal society she lives in. She is expected to conform to traditional gender roles and is often denied the freedom to make her own choices.

Morrison’s use of symbolism further emphasizes the theme of freedom in the novel. The symbol of the bird represents the desire for freedom and the struggle to attain it. Frank and Cee both have dreams of flying like a bird, which represents their desire to escape their current circumstances and find true freedom.

Overall, the theme of freedom in Home is a complex and multifaceted motif that is explored through the experiences of the characters and the use of symbolism. Morrison’s exploration of this theme highlights the struggles and limitations faced by marginalized individuals in society and the ongoing fight for true freedom and equality.

The Symbolism of Light and Darkness

In Toni Morrison’s Home, the symbolism of light and darkness is prevalent throughout the novel. The contrast between light and darkness is used to represent the characters’ internal struggles and the societal issues they face. The characters’ experiences with light and darkness reflect their journey towards self-discovery and the search for a sense of belonging. The use of light and darkness as symbols in the novel highlights the complexity of the characters’ experiences and the societal issues they face. Through the use of this symbolism, Morrison creates a powerful narrative that explores the themes of identity, race, and belonging.

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Point of Return

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By Leah Hager Cohen

• May 17, 2012

“Whose house is this?”

The first four words of Toni Morrison’s new book greet — or assail — us before the story even begins. They’re from the epigraph, which quotes a song cycle written by the author some 20 years ago and therefore, it seems safe to say, not originally intended for this book, but an indication, perhaps, of how long its themes have been haunting her. And “haunting” is a fitting word for the lyric itself, in which a speaker professes to lack both recognition of and accountability for the strange, shadowy, dissembling domicile in which he finds himself. The atmosphere of alienation makes the song’s final line even more uncanny: “Say, tell me, why does its lock fit my key?”

Thus the stage is set for “Home”: on the basis of its publisher’s description a novel, on the basis of its length a novella, and on the basis of its stripped-down, symbol-laden plot something of an allegory. It tells the story of Frank Money, a 24-year-old Korean War veteran, as he embarks on a reluctant journey home. But where — and what — is home? Frank is already back from the fighting when we meet him, a year after being discharged from an integrated Army into a segregated homeland. Since then, he has wandered the streets of Seattle, “not totally homeless, but close.” He has gambled his Army pay and lost it, worked odd jobs and lost them, lived with a girlfriend and lost her, and all the while struggled, none too successfully, against the prospect of losing his mind.

The action begins with Frank literally out of action: wearing restraints in a hospital bed, faking sleep in order to avoid yet another deadening shot of morphine. Confined to the “nuthouse” by the police for an infraction he can’t remember, he plans and quickly executes his escape: first through the fire exit, thence to Zion — the A.M.E. Zion church, that is, whose sign he spotted earlier from the squad car. There he’s given shelter by Reverend Locke (the first in a succession of “locks” that, one way or another, fit Frank’s key), who helps him on his way. His destination is Lotus, Ga., which he’s been avoiding because it harbors hated childhood memories — and because he dreads facing the families of the two hometown friends whose deaths in Korea plague his dreams. What draws him back now is a letter informing him that his younger sister, Cee, is in trouble. “Come fast. She be dead if you tarry.”

But the very notion of home is bedeviled for Frank, as is the bitter running joke of his family name. Home has never offered much solace, and the Moneys have never had much dough. At age 4, Frank was forced on foot out of his first home in Bandera County, Tex., an exodus made with 14 other families under threat by men “both hooded and not” to leave within 24 hours or die. The Moneys wound up in Lotus, “the worst place in the world, worse than any battlefield,” according to Frank, to whom it appears, like its Greek counterpart, devoid of aspiration, cramped by suffocating indifference. There his parents worked 16-hour days picking cotton and planting crops, leaving Frank to protect Cee as best he could while subsisting on a daily brew of their grandparents’ cruelty and neglect. There his parents died young, one of lung disease, the other of a stroke. And there, it emerges, is where Frank must return, must deliver his ailing sister, “his original caring-for,” in hopes not only of saving her, but of saving himself: “Down deep inside her lived my secret picture of myself — a strong good me.”

What kind of selfhood is it possible to possess when we come from a spiritually impoverished home, one that fails to concede, let alone nourish, each inhabitant’s worth? This is the question Morrison asks, and while exploring it through the specific circumstances of Frank Money, she raises it in a broader sense. Threaded through the story are reminders of our country’s vicious inhospitality toward some of its own. On his way south, Frank makes use of a “Green Book,” part of the essential series of travelers’ guides for African-Americans during a more overtly racist era. On a train, he encounters fellow passengers who’ve been beaten and bloodied simply for trying to buy coffee from a white establishment. He meets a boy who, out playing with a cap gun, was shot by a policeman and lost the use of one arm. Frank is himself subjected to a random stop-and-frisk outside a shoe store. Even his lapses in sanity — what today we’d call symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder — are presented within the metaphor of race. He has frightening episodes of color­blindness, in which “the world became a black-and-white movie screen.”

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