Sejal Says, "It is Hard to Know If Love is Real"
What is Love?
No, it's not just the name of a song but it is also a question that is universally asked worldwide. The foundation of a good relationship is good intentions, values, respect, and emotional involvement. If these values are compromised- a relationship can then be classified as fake. As seen by Milkman and Hagar's relationship in the Song of Solomon and Milkman's relationship with his mother, it is apparent that fake love exists everywhere. This can be seen during the introduction scene with the "red velvet rose petals" that represent the fake love shown by Ruth towards Milkman (Morrison 5).
Although the premise of fake love has dug its roots into the story, it is impossible to differentiate real and fake love if one is experiencing the situation firsthand. In Milkman's case, he is subjected to Ruth's fake love since she only experiences happiness when she has a baby to "mother". Milkman is oblivious to this fake love but his entire family is so disconnected that it doesn't truly phase him. Since this fake love was inflicted on him since his birth, it seems completely ordinary that he displays this fake love towards Hagar in their forbidden love.
In society, fake love has become so common that hearing of its existence doesn't seem to phase anyone. But one outlier is that sometimes fake love can be fostered and easily turn into real love. Love is not born from a kiss or a look, but by the force of your feelings, that may or may not be faked. Your behavior and actions can influence your emotions in ways we are yet to fully grasp. Our minds set up traps from which we are unable to escape, no matter how much logic you may apply to them. Acting as if you are hopelessly in love with someone may truly lead to the real thing.
No, it's not just the name of a song but it is also a question that is universally asked worldwide. The foundation of a good relationship is good intentions, values, respect, and emotional involvement. If these values are compromised- a relationship can then be classified as fake. As seen by Milkman and Hagar's relationship in the Song of Solomon and Milkman's relationship with his mother, it is apparent that fake love exists everywhere. This can be seen during the introduction scene with the "red velvet rose petals" that represent the fake love shown by Ruth towards Milkman (Morrison 5).
Although the premise of fake love has dug its roots into the story, it is impossible to differentiate real and fake love if one is experiencing the situation firsthand. In Milkman's case, he is subjected to Ruth's fake love since she only experiences happiness when she has a baby to "mother". Milkman is oblivious to this fake love but his entire family is so disconnected that it doesn't truly phase him. Since this fake love was inflicted on him since his birth, it seems completely ordinary that he displays this fake love towards Hagar in their forbidden love.
In society, fake love has become so common that hearing of its existence doesn't seem to phase anyone. But one outlier is that sometimes fake love can be fostered and easily turn into real love. Love is not born from a kiss or a look, but by the force of your feelings, that may or may not be faked. Your behavior and actions can influence your emotions in ways we are yet to fully grasp. Our minds set up traps from which we are unable to escape, no matter how much logic you may apply to them. Acting as if you are hopelessly in love with someone may truly lead to the real thing.
So the sad truth is that love tends to be fake most of the time and it may play a detrimental role on one's life but if love is properly fostered, it has the potential to become true love. Especially in a relationship between mother and child, love should be expected as the lack of this love may severely alter the outlook of the child as seen by Milkman. Overall, in modern society, it is becoming too difficult to identify if love is real even when real love is needed now more than ever.
Sejal! I love how you added on to the conversation of fake love that we had in class. I think that fake love is such a major theme in this novel, stemming from the velvet rose petal flowers introduced in the beginning. The relationship that Milkman and Ruth have is so interesting to me. It seems one sided but at the same time it feels like the love, like you said, is forced and not real. Milkman defended his mother when his father beat her up, while Ruth doesn't seem to have this dramatic realationship with her son. Also the love between Ruth and her daughters is not touched on at all,suggesting that it is simply not there. Fake love is definetly prevalent, and maybe Ruth could heal from finding some real love. Great Job!
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