https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj en-us 2020-03-11 00:27:40 UTC 2025-10-11 14:31:54 UTC hello@padlet.com sstokes1_1 https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458028753 Let's populate this slide with some thoughts about BOTH Morrison's dedication to the novel and the epigraph: "The fathers may soar, and the children may know their names."

What distinguishes the word “daddy” from other words like “father” or “dad”? For the epigraph: what is communicated by the phrases “may know” and “may soar”?  How might the folktale about the flying Africans offer us some "invisible" conditions to apply to the epigraph to ensure that "knowing" and "soaring" are guaranteed?

Write a response of several sentences for each here.  Please put your name in parenthesis after your response.
We will read through the offerings and then the following people will offer some takeaways to the class on Google Hangout: Jaxon, Roya, David on DADDY; Shira, Lucas, Maya on EPIGRAPH   ]]> 2020-03-11 00:28:34 UTC https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458028753 https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458412269 I think that the word "daddy" as opposed to "father" offers a more personal connection and/or feeling. Also, I think daddy is correlated with youth and one would think of it as a term used by young children dressing their "daddy". On the contrary, "father" or "dad" is often linked with adulthood or growing up, and is used when one grows out of the term "daddy". ]]> 2020-03-11 14:44:32 UTC https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458412269 https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458414624 I feel as though saying "daddy" shows a bond of affection rather than the respect of a "dad" or "father."]]> 2020-03-11 14:46:59 UTC https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458414624 https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458414973 I think that 'daddy' is in the same family as 'dada', where it is often used by younger (or less mature) children. because of the social implications of being a father,  'daddy' also indicates a significant power dynamic where the 'father' is in charge. (Milo)

]]> 2020-03-11 14:47:22 UTC https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458414973 https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458415229 Unlike father I think that the word "daddy" is a lot less to do with somebody being your biological father. I think its connotations are a more personal and informal than the word father, dad(dy) could mean the person who you feel raised you as if they were your father. It also has a sexual connotation but that might not have been as relevant when this book was written.]]> 2020-03-11 14:47:40 UTC https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458415229 https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458415763 I think the word "daddy" shows a more personal connection between one's father and their child. The word "daddy" is also used by children because it is less formal. When someone's uses the word "daddy" or "dad" it is also typically someone who has been with you for a majority of your life, and you have developed a close relationship with that person. ]]> 2020-03-11 14:48:22 UTC https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458415763 https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458416123 I believe that the word "daddy" suggests a need of a less formal way of addressing ones father. It suggests a more youthful and "fun" connection and less of a need for respect, as children often do not know so much about what that means at a young age. I feel that it also suggests a more friendly bond and perhaps a more valuable connection.]]> 2020-03-11 14:48:45 UTC https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458416123 https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458416198 James Gumina
I think that "daddy" is a significantly more informal  than "father" or "dad". "Daddy" has more personal connotations than the other two phrases even thought they mean almost, if not exactly, the same thing. I think by dedicating the book to "daddy" Toni Morrison gives the reader an insight into their relationship.  ]]> 2020-03-11 14:48:50 UTC https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458416198 https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458416278 I think Daddy is said by someone that entrusts someone else to protect them. I think that it is a sign of affection but also a measure of safety and trust. I think that Daddy also sounds like something that would be said in a position of vulnerability.]]> 2020-03-11 14:48:56 UTC https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458416278 https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458416304 In terms of ways you can refer to your father or father figure, "daddy" is more informal than "father" or "dad", so this word tells us about the nature of Morrison's relationship with her father. In addition, "daddy" is a term more commonly used by younger children, which again, tells us that more about Morrison's relationship with her father.]]> 2020-03-11 14:48:58 UTC https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458416304 https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458416527 The word "daddy" offers a more personal connotation and shows a stronger relationship than calling a father figure "dad".  The word "daddy" is used more in younger children's vocabulary. It also has a sexual connotation, and this could be part of the reason as to why children stop calling their father figures "daddy" as they grow up. 

]]> 2020-03-11 14:49:12 UTC https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458416527 ldimarco23 https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458416779 Using phrases such as "may know" and "may soar" encourages and promotes the thought of "flight" because people want to be remembered and be free. This is shown in Song of Solomon towards the end of page 9 when the child of the daughter of the only African American doctor was said to have "discovered, at four, the same thing Mr. Smith had learned earlier- that only birds and planes could fly- he lost all interest in himself (9)". He the boy had realized that he was not free so he followed the footsteps of Mr. Smith and "flew away".

Using the word "Daddy" makes the text seem more innocent because the word "Daddy" is used more my children who are innocent. This creates a lack of consequences feel for the antagonists in the text]]> 2020-03-11 14:49:28 UTC https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458416779 https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458416789 The word "daddy" is distinguished from other words like "father" or "dad" in the more childish tone of the word "daddy". This is significant because it illustrates a father-daughter/guardian relationship.

]]> 2020-03-11 14:49:28 UTC https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458416789 https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458416932 The informality of the title "daddy" used in the beginning of the book makes it clear that the author is dedicating it specifically to her relationship with her father, showing a deep emotional connection between them. ]]> 2020-03-11 14:49:36 UTC https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458416932 https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458417026 I feel like "daddy" is definitely much more of a word kids use when they are at a more vulnerable stage in their life. Growing up, I was always taught to call the adults in my family through names that showed my respect and care for them. To this day I call my dad "papi" which is the exact same thing as 
"daddy" in spanish. This can also become a bit of a misunderstanding when I am with my dad around my friends because of its sexual connotation.]]> 2020-03-11 14:49:44 UTC https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458417026 https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458417375 I also think that to "know" and to "soar" are not guaranteed, especially because Toni Morrison uses "may" to describe them. There is a pretty obvious connection to the African-American folktale here, although through this epigraph we can notice that there aren't the obvious motivations of escaping hardship that the slaves had. What could be the motive?]]> 2020-03-11 14:50:10 UTC https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458417375 https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458417934 In context with the book being in 1931 (and WWII) I think that the phrase may soar communicates that fathers are being sent to war. I think that the idea of the children remembering their names communicates a hope for children to know who their fathers were or to at least have memories with them that they can cling onto.]]> 2020-03-11 14:51:00 UTC https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458417934 https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458418264 I think that the epigraph related to a theme possibly of "leaving behind". I argue this because the words "may soar", mainly mean taking one's own life, especially  after reading the first chapter. When one takes their own life, they are in way leaving behind and their current state and are "soaring" to a better place, which is similar to the African folk-tale. "May know" simply refers to their children knowing their legacy. ]]> 2020-03-11 14:51:26 UTC https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458418264 https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458419453 In the epigraph, Morrison uses the words "may know" and "may soar" which shows that flying is not guaranteed throughout the book. After watching Morrison's video and reading the folktale, she talks about how she uses some of the folktale throughout "Song of Solomon" and it is pretty clearly shown in this epigraph. There is a sense of "flying" when she uses the word "soar" and the phrase "may know their names" I believe hints at the children finding their identity and place in the world. That could also be looked at as a connection between the folktale and the epigraph.]]> 2020-03-11 14:53:24 UTC https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458419453 https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458419995 When thinking about this epigraph with the context of "The People Could Fly", I interpreted the "fathers may soar" as the fathers  being able to escape whatever situation they are in. In the interview video, Morrison referenced how flying could lead to an escape from a "cultural prison", and I think this could be the meaning of the epigraph. When it says "the children may know their names", I interpreted this as the children representing those who could not fly, but instead stayed behind to pass the story of those who could along to future generations.]]> 2020-03-11 14:54:18 UTC https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458419995 https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458420115 I think that by saying 'soar' and 'know', the implication is that the fathers will achieve great things and the children, rather than having a present father figure will get stability from the things their fathers achieved. the loss in that is the lack of a father figure to 'guide' the children, but they gain stability]]> 2020-03-11 14:54:28 UTC https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458420115 https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458420775 The use of "may soar" reflects the fact that not all people had the ability to fly in the folktale, as some would fly and some would remain enslaved with the purpose of telling future generations the stories of those who escaped. "May know" is referencing the sometimes unreliable nature of storytelling.]]> 2020-03-11 14:55:24 UTC https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458420775 https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458420872 In the phrase "the fathers may soar and the children may know their names", a sense of freedom and ability to do what one "may" want is illustrated. The folktale of the flying Africans helps us to understand the need for refuge from this "prison". In this quote, I understand that the "fathers" or guardians or mature people will escape this prison, setting an example and a feeling of hope for their children and future generations.]]> 2020-03-11 14:55:32 UTC https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458420872 https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458421112 The words "may know" suggests that something is not guaranteed to happen. This offers a darker side to the story which is that people may not know the struggles that the slaves faced. The words "may soar" offers more than the idea of physical flight, but that the slaves' story may gain popularity and attention as it is told. ]]> 2020-03-11 14:55:52 UTC https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458421112 https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458422010 I think  writing "may know" and "may soar"  addresses the fact that in the folktale not all of the people were able to fly. As we talked about in our previous class violence seemed to be a trigger for the ability to fly in the slaves and, as far as we saw from that story, without that trigger the other slaves could not fly. I think that Toni Morrison is saying that there would have to be a reason for the fathers to "soar" and the children to "know".]]> 2020-03-11 14:57:03 UTC https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458422010 https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458423152 The fact that not all people are able to soar is important to take note of, as it suggests that there is a certain "skill" or "ability" that is needed to be able to do so. ]]> 2020-03-11 14:58:20 UTC https://padlet.com/sstokes1_1/zbkm4cnei9oj/wish/458423152