How Much Power Do Names Have?

While reading Song of Solomon, it was apparent that the significance behind the names of people and things was an important theme the novel focuses on. One aspect we discussed during class was that naming someone gives the namer power over those he or she named. This perspective would fit Macon Dead in the story, as he carelessly named his children while overpowering his family as well. It is ironic how Macon’s father was a slave and was named by his slaveholder, and now Macon himself as an African American is casting fear on his own children whom he named.

One of the allusions in the story was to the tale of Rumpelstiltskin, who had power over those who did not know his name. I found it interesting that this is the case with Voldemort, the villain of the Harry Potter series, as well. Characters in the story were afraid to call him by his name, fearing this dark wizard. It was a coincidence since before starting Song of Solomon, we read one of Nikki Giovanni’s pieces which used Harry Potter as an example to reflect deeper themes of marginalization.

In real life, a common example of the power of names can be seen in bullying. The bullied would often be called with nicknames instead of with their real name, showing how the bully tries to have control over those he or she bullies. I have never thought of name-calling in this fashion, and reading Song of Solomon really did make me have a new mindset regarding names. It also made me connect back to Maus, and think of how the Nazis branded the Jews with numbers. By viewing each individual Jew as merely a number, the Nazis were able to dehumanize them even more, and make their own actions seem justified morally.