Trauma

Trauma is a motif that pervades the novel, particularly the trauma of childhood molestation. The Garfield sisters each are raped by their grandfather, Gandee, in childhood; they carry the burden of the trauma into their adult lives. In the Songs, Samuel is also a pedophile like Gandee, but the reader does not glimpse into the psychology of his victims. As such, the reader can think of the Garfield sisters’ trauma not only as their own burden, but indicative of the slaves’ trauma as well.

As a young girl, Ailey does not recognize the severity of Gandee’s abuse, but she is afraid to mention it. Lydia’s experience is similar. As the two age, though, they come to understand the severity and its effect on their psyche grows heavier. Ailey thinks, “I didn’t even know how to make myself feel better” (122). As Ailey’s sexuality...