Song of Solomon Characters

Ruth’s father, a rich, powerful Black man, for whom Not Doctor Street is named. Macon Dead II believes that Doctor Foster and Ruth had an incestuous affair, and maintains that he was a hypocritical man who despised the community that idolized him.

Macon Dead II’s daughter, whose full name is Magdalene. She recognizes the way her father uses his daughters to make himself look more important, and eventually accuses Milkman of being as heartless as their father.

Macon Dead II’s daughter, who works as a maid and later lives with Porter. When her college education and family wealth don’t bring her success or a husband, she’s humiliated to be doing manual labor, and looks down on those who are poorer than her family, including Porter.

A Black insurance agent whose suicide marks the beginning of the novel, and may cause the hospital to allow Ruth to become the first Black woman to give birth inside Mercy Hospital.

Pilate’s granddaughter and Reba’s daughter, later a lover of Milkman’s. When Milkman grows tired of her, she falls into depression and self-hatred, and tries and fails repeatedly to kill Milkman.

A janitor, errand-runner, and gossip who works for Macon Dead.

Pilate’s daughter and Hagar’s mother. She supports her family with her preternatural ability to win guessing competitions and raffles, even selling her winnings so that Hagar can buy herself clothes and makeup.

An unstable man who joins the Seven Days after his white wife leaves him for another Black man.

A gentle, nurturing woman who works as a midwife and later takes care of dogs.

Guitar’s mother.

A drunken tenant of Macon Dead’s who later courts Corinthians and lives with Corinthians. He also rapes Corinthians the first time they have sex.

The owner of a pool hall who dislikes the Deads.

The co-owner, with Hospital Tommy, of the town barbershop.

The co-owner, with Railroad Tommy, of the town barbershop.

A former patient of Doctor Foster.

A real-life Black teenager who was murdered in Mississippi for allegedly flirting with a white woman.

An insane white woman who killed multiple people and was put in an insane asylum.

A somewhat successful, somewhat liberal poet, and First Corinthians’s employer.

Miss Graham’s assistant.

A member of the Seven Days along with Guitar.

An old associate of Macon Dead II from Danville, who takes Milkman to the forest where Milkman believes the gold is buried.

Reverend Cooper’s nephew.

A man who gives Milkman a ride to Danville.

The owner of a General Store in the town of Shalimar.

An old man in Shalimar who takes Milkman hunting.

A resident of Shalimar who goes hunting with Milkman.

A resident of Shalimar who goes hunting with Milkman.

Macon Dead I’s wife. When Pilate supposedly speaks to her dead father, she misinterprets “Sing,” and learns to sing for the rest of her life.

A resident of Shalimar who picks a fight with Milkman.

A hunter who refers Milkman to Susan Byrd.

A woman who lives near Susan Byrd.

Slightly obnoxious woman who interrupts Milkman when he visits Susan Byrd.

Susan’s father.

Owner of a beauty shop.

Owner of a beauty shop.

Solomon’s wife. Milkman learns that she fell into deep depression after Solomon left her and flew back to Africa. As with Solomon, there are places named after Ryna, and songs sung about her.

A white woman and a member of the family that murders Macon Dead I. She later kills herself. Years after Miss Butler’s suicide, Circe cares for her dogs.

In his search after his ancestry, Milkman learns from Susan Byrd that Heddy was Susan Byrd's grandmother. An Indian woman, Heddy also took care of Jake after Jake’s father (Solomon) mysteriously disappeared.