Throughout the course of history, mystical concepts and magical elements have been integrated into virtually every civilization's culture. From angels and demons to fantastical creatures like unicorns and leprechauns, supernatural beliefs have permeated the songs, stories, and other fundamental aspects of many societies throughout history. This characterization is particularly true in African culture. For thousands of years, indigenous Africans worshiped a plethora of spirits and divine practices that allowed them to accept seemingly supernatural events into their daily reality. Such circumstances have been widely recorded and documented through art and literature, creating a genre of expression known as magical realism. This technique allows the author to mix a realistic narrative with surreal elements of the supernatural. Examples of this can be seen in the novel Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison. Morrison's novel follows a young African-American man named Milkman Dead as he explores his heritage on an existential journey of self-discovery. Throughout Song of Solomon, Morrison incorporates magical realism to blur the line between supernatural and plausible reality in order to challenge various elements of modern American society's accepted sensitivities toward African Americans. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Morrison begins his transcendence into the world of magical realism by introducing Pilate Dead, Milkman's aunt, sans navel. Pilate's belly "...was as smooth and strong as his back, without any place interrupted by a navel...there was no other belly on earth like his" (Morrison 29). This almost supernatural absence of a navel, a scientific implausibility, distinguishes Pilate from his peers. She is the only person on earth without this characteristic and she is shunned by society because of it. People “… froze at the sight of that belly… even became limp… 'What are you?' a man had shouted…it had isolated her…even a traveling show would have rejected her…” (Morrison 148). Pilate is a person of formidable character; she is honest, caring, and wise, but these facts are forgotten when people discover she is different from them. Kamal Pradhan, English literature researcher at Academia, describes Pilate as "...a fearless mother who selflessly devotes herself to others...she is responsible for Milkman's safe birth and continues to protect him for years..." (Pradhan 1). He goes on to state, “Despite these positive attributes...she is discriminated against because...she is different” (Pradhan 2). It is through Pilate and his unbroken stomach that Morrison comments on the mistreatment of African Americans throughout history and even in today's America. She presents the reasoning behind Pilate's isolation, a missing navel, as absurd and unrealistic. This allegorical message extends throughout the novel as racial tensions and acts of discrimination are prevalent. Morrison suggests that a society hating African Americans based solely on their skin color is just as irrational as a community isolating an individual born, through an act of magic, without a navel. It incorporates magical realism to inspire audiences to consider the progress their great nation has made regarding African Americans in recent decades, as - despite the civil rights movement - many still struggle for equality fundamental. This theme Racial injusticecontinues as Morrison explores Pilate Dead's connection to the spiritual world. Although her father died when she was a young girl, Pilate is constantly visited by his ghost. She “…sees him around…guiding…helping” (Morrison 168-169). It is Pilate's ability to accept his father's spirit that allows him to visit and help him. His presence comforts and guides her through difficult times, and her belief in the supernatural strengthens her connection to the natural world and to herself, allowing her to lead a more sincere and authentic life. Freda Kirkham, author of "Women and Voice in Song of Solomon" states that "...her spirituality...including her connection to her deceased father...him speaking to her from the spirit world, telling her to 'sing'...defines Pilate as a person. She is ready to learn... to accept... and she presents to those close to her this... connection with this kingdom... this use of spiritual song” (Kirkham 4-5). Pilate's open-mindedness and acceptance of the supernatural allowed him to live a happy and authentic life, unmarred by the corruption of capitalist greed and motivation. This stands in stark contrast to his niece, First Corinthians Dead. Corinthians was raised in part by his father, Macon Dead, who “…acts like a white man, thinks like a white man…raised his children like a white man…he is greedy” (Morrison 224-226). Throughout her childhood, Corinthians was never introduced to the possibility of a supernatural world beyond the one in which she lives. Instead, she has learned the conservative lessons of 1940s America and is forced to follow the path expected of her. Corinthians went to college and “her education had taught her to be an enlightened mother and wife, capable of contributing to civilization…she believed that she was a reward for a professional man” (Morrison 188). Corinthians is intelligent and well-educated, but because she is unable to connect to the world of supernatural possibilities, she is closed-minded and unable to fully connect with herself and succeed and be truly happy. She “…lacked drive…no hunger, no restlessness” (Morrison 188). Morrison highlights this contrast between Pilate and Corinthians in order to address the issue of discredited scholarship among African Americans. Throughout history, African Americans and their knowledge have often been ignored because it was insinuated that blacks were morally and intellectually inferior to whites. By comparing the innate, supernatural wisdom of Pilate to the "white academic knowledge" of the Corinthians, which leaves the Corinthians completely unable to cope with the harsh reality of society, Morrison uses magical realism to show the importance of the knowledge possessed by African Americans. (Morrison 187-188). Corinthian's knowledge represents the idealistic vision of white education, but this intelligence leaves her helpless in a world of surprisingly difficult realities, while Pilate's seemingly useless wisdom, representative of African-American knowledge, allows her to flourish . Magical realism continues to be established throughout the novel. as Morrison incorporates instances of human flight. From the moment Milkman comes into the world, human escape is accepted as possible by the community around him. The only person who is skeptical of this supernatural ability is Milkman himself. When “...he discovered, at the age of four...that only birds and airplanes could fly, he lost all interest in himself. Having to live without this one gift saddened him and left his imagination so deprived that it seemed boring…” (Morrison 9). As an African American, Milkman comes from a culture that views escapism and,.