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When Morrison writes that "fathers may soar" while "children may know their names," to "soar" is an active and physical verb while to "know" is internal and passive, and so Morrison believes that the young should learn from the old. The two verbs are in future perfect tense, and so they haven't happened yet while they are supposed to occur before something else, and so Morrison might be describing a sort of ideal to her, as flight and knowledge in her short story were the endgoals of the Africans. In addition, the abilities of the old are recognized and passed down to the young in the story, and so this epigraph strengthens said order.

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Whew Morrison says, "The fathers may soar and the children may remember their name" it shows the actions that needs to take place for the kids (next generation) to remember their heritage. "Name" often is a symbol of family, so in remembering your name you are in turn remembering your family and heritage. After being away from this tradition for so long it is easy to forget where you came from. The sight of your father preforming an old African power, can perhaps remind the children or their heritage; their names. Lastly the future perfect tense of this excerpt goes in tandem with the idea of preserving tradition in the future.

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I believe that Morrison uses the phrases "may know" and "may soar" to illustrate the idea that the children and father are flying with knowing their names, but the word "may" highlights the uncertainty they have about understanding their identities.

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Just as the flying africans were able to soar, and know their names, gaining their identity back, the father and children are able to soar and know their names, but they do not fully understand their abilities and identities.
The epigraph represents that, similar to the flying Africans, the father and children  slowly understand their true abilities and as a result, are led to liberation.

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Flight, in regards to both "Song of Solomon" and "The People Could Fly", symbolizes freedom, either from the untrue self they have been given or from enslavement. In both cases, freedom was not a guarantee, as there were those who could not fly.

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 Zoey: when i observe the word choice "may" as opposed to something more definite, I believe this choice was made because they have the ability to soar  now, but it seems as though theres no way of knowing whether or not they really do soar. it seems as though they couldn't have known or soared before but now they have been given these abilities.            

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 Zoey: when i observe the word choice "may" as opposed to something more definite, I believe this choice was made because they have the ability to soar  now, but it seems as though theres no way of knowing whether or not they really do soar. it seems as though they couldn't have known or soared before but now they have been given these abilities.            

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I think that when Morrison uses the phrases "may know" and "may soar", she implies that there is no guarantee that the father and children will be able to succeed.  The act of "soaring" can be to fly about or it could be to rise to a majestic stature. This epigraph is possibly opening up to a story of growth leading to achievements. The children might not know who they are or their families story, but the author phrases the words to show that there is uncertainty. During the time period in which the story takes place, there was a lot of uncertainty for families and how successful their lives would be. There was never a guarantee that the fathers would "soar", which affected if the children knew their identities and where their name came from. Morrison uses these phrases to imply uncertainty in the growth and successfulness of the fathers, and if the children will ever know their identities.

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When Morrison says, "may know" and "may soar", he is communicating that while it may be possible for people to do so, but not guaranteed. The reason I think Morrison states it is possible and not guaranteed is because he is referring to black people in a time and place where there are obstacles and condescending people in the way of many things for them. The denotation for "know" is to have spent time with or be familiar with, this could be referring to the children understanding their family or their own identity more. The denotation for "soar" is to rapidly increase above the usual level, this could be referring to the parents overcoming or escaping the obstacles and condescending people in their way.

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I think the phrases "may know" and " may soar"  represent the uncertainty of not knowing if you will be remembered in future generations.  I think "may" is the most important part of the phrases because it makes it clear that nothing is guaranteed. In the African folk tale, the slaves are only able to fly away after going through a great deal of suffering whereas Mr. Smith tries to fly away from nothing tragic. It is almost as if he is trying to fly away from himself.

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In the epigraph, the author reveals how the flight is in the escape of something. Why fathers may soar suggest the idea of escaping death, seeking freedom and pursuing a more liberating life for their families. The fathers soar, so the children will follow in their footsteps and “know” to seek a better life for themselves. In having their fathers leave the children ultimately “know” their names and who their ancestors are, leaving them with hope.

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The phrases "may know and " may soar" communicate enlightenment, as "may" denotes expressing permission. I believe that through this epigraph Toni Morrison alludes to this story being about coming of age and finding yourself through family history. I believe that the African folktale guarantees this journey because of the piece that talks about passing down the folktale for generations.

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I think that the phrase "The fathers may soar" in the epigraph refers to flight that may free one from their own faults or memories that were hidden. However, the word may refers to a possibility of flight rather than a definite event. To know your own name is also a liberating act in itself since it's signifies recognition of individuality. Names distinguish us from each other knowing another person's name is a form of intimacy in itself.

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The phrases "may know and "may soar" in Morrison's epigraph emphasizes a connection that should be established between the older and younger generations for the fathers to soar and the children to know. The fathers want to leave behind the knowledge they've collected throughout their life to their children before they soar or take off.

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By using imagery in phrases such as "may soar," and "may know their names," Morrison depicts a gaining of freedom for these people, a new knowledge, and a complete understanding of the importance of their identities. However, the usage of "may" in these phrases, indicates that this freedom is not guaranteed, and this freedom may never be able to be obtained.

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The epigraph highlights the importance of fathers ability to fly to freedom and their children understanding that legacy and their identities. The word "may" demonstrates the uncertainty of these both happening in tandem even though the two seem almost inextricably connected. The folkwalte offers up the idea of culture and remembrance allowing flight as well as passing on legacy.

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I think that the idea of uncertainty of the father leaving and the children knowing them is communicated by the phrases "may know" and "may soar" because the definition of may expressing possibility. I also believe that when the father leaves his family, the children are harmed but they end up remembering his legacy and turn it into something positive. I think the folktale ensures that "knowing" and "soaring" are guaranteed because we learn that their African culture gives them the ability to fly free.

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I think the phrase "my soar" and "may know", are connected as they describe the fathers leaving for freedom and the children's remembrance of their legacy, But due to the usage of "may" the author implies that these actions are being held back and "may" not ever come to fruition. These are in direct relation to each other in their symbolism.