Flight in Song of Solomon, Native Son, A Worn Path, Sad Sweet Story of

Flight in Song of Solomon, Native Son, A Worn Path, Sad Sweet Story of Sugar Lips Shinehot, and Portable Promised, and Land First Eagle Story Since the beginning of time all human beings have had a fascination with human flight. Watching a bird soar through the air, one cannot help but desire the same capabilities. Imagine the point of view of the bird that flies high above the trees, among the mountains, over the ocean, and high in the air, far away from the clamor of everyday life on the ground. To have the freedom and power to release ones self from the tribulations experienced with two feet on the ground, and spring up and away into the peaceful, blue sky is a common human desire. Since ancient times, flight has represented the opportunity to free ones self from the chains of oppression. For example, in the Bible, Moses delivered the enslaved Israelites from Egypt and the Lord instructed Moses to tell them, "You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself" (Exodus 19:4). Not only does flight represent freedom from oppression, but it has also served as a source of strength: "But those who wait on the Lord/ Shall renew their strength; / They shall mount up with/ wings like eagles" (Isaiah 40:31). Throughout history, Americans have grown up admiring and desiring the many mythical figures with the ability to fly without even having wings. Superman, with super human powers, had the ability to circumvent the globe and save innocent people from harm with his ability to fly. Santa and his reindeer could not possibly distribute toys to children all over the world without the ability to fly. Peter Pan, the eternal child, lived his life consumed in the childish pursuits an... ...51-682. Ed. Penn, W.S. The Telling of the World: Native Americans Stories and Art. New York: Stewart, Tabori, & Chang, 1996. Runnels, T.J. "Rise Above with Eagle." The Red Pathway: Newsletter of Native American Philosophy. http://www.lvcablemodem.com/mahinto/eagle1.html. (15 Oct 2001). Smoke Signals. Dir. Chris Eyre. Miramax Films, 1990. Ed. Stewart, Holly, and Cheryl Wilson. "Stories of the People: Native American Voices." National Museum of the American Indian-Smithsonian Institution. New York: Universe Publishing, 1997. Toure. "The Sad Sweet Story Of Sugar Lips Shinehot And The Portable Promised Land." Callalou. 21.2 (1998) 327-335. Welty, Eudora. "A Worn Path." The Norton Anthology of Literature By Women. Eds. Sandra M. Gilbert, Susan Gubar. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1996: 1641-1646. Wright, Richard. Native Son. New York: Harper Perennial, 1940.