The Marxist theory states that money is the basis for all relationships. In Toni Morrison's "Song of Solomon," money is an ever-present factor in the way many of the characters get on with their lives. It shapes who they are, it dictates what they will become, and it shows some the only things that they believe life to be. In some instances, it is a hindrance to their further progression in life. In others, it showcases the true spirit within the person that actually allows them to become the person that rests inside of them.

        Starting off, there is Macon Dead. He collects rent. He is a hard man by most standards, as he is able to withstand the thought of allowing children to be put out on the streets if the renter of a house is unable to pay for the rent of that particular month. The way he sees it, a person who can cave in at the slightest feeling of sympathy is someone who cannot further advance himself in life. His way of doing so is collecting the rent. If someone cannot pay it, he has no other choice than to move them out and make room for someone who can.

        In his pocket, he holds the keys to rent houses. Early on in the story, he holds four keys. In thoughts back to when he first met his wife-to-be, Ruth, he only held two keys, but those keys helped to serve as a way for Ruth's father to know of him before the two had even met. It was something that he held pride in. It was his importance in life. As the story moved back into real time, he held four keys and suspected a possible fifth key to be added to his collection as he gave Guitar's grandmother the ultimatum on her due rent.

        Another holder of money was Ruth's father, Dr. Foster. He held his money in four separate bank accounts. While not the richest, he was a dignified and respected man in the community. In Macon Dead's soliloquy to Milkman about his father-in-law, though, it was shown early on the bad blood that had brewed between the two. Dr. Foster was the one to deliver Ruth's -his own daughter- children. The idea of father delivering his daughter's children did not sit well with Macon. Also, Ruth held a certain attachment to Dr. Foster that Macon could never get in the middle of. It was as if he was married to both of them, for Ruth was firmly attached to her father.

        When the railroad was coming through, Macon scouted the land and discovered where it would be coming through at exactly in his community. With the land for the railroad attracting high dollar, Macon knew that it would be highly beneficial to own the land that would need to be sold to the Railroad Company. The problem was getting the money to buy the land beforehand. The only way he could do it was to go through Dr. Foster for the financial support. Dr. Foster refused. Macon talked to Ruth in hopes that she could get him to reconsider, but she stood firm by the doctor's stance, stating that it wasn't her decision, it was her father's. Because of that, the land could never be purchased. Dr. Foster could have died a rich man, but his own stubbornness wouldn't allow it. The train of wealth passed him by when the tracks were laid.

        There is Macon Dead, someone who looks at money as a status symbol and a tool of acknowledgement within his circle of peers. There is his father-in-law who, despite being well off, hoarded his money and wouldn't extract a single dime to Macon in order to further enlarge the amount of money that could be owned. And then, there is Pilate, Macon's sister. She represents the exact opposite of Macon is with his money. She has none. Her only concerns are with getting by. The alcohol that she makes helps to pay for life's necessities, but the things she holds dear rests inside of the box that is her earring.

        Her ragged appearance and her general disregard for anything superficial that money could provide embarrass Macon. Yet, she is perfectly content in her nonconforming ways. It is only she, her daughter, and her daughter's daughter. The three of them live together. The irony is how her daughter, Reba, can win anything yet she gives it all away without a care. For all of them, money is not the center of happiness. Family and being together is where their happiness lies.

        The idea of money and how it affects, and to an extent, controls the characters, is very evident in "Song of Solomon." Macon's relationship with the people who owe him rent is based around the money figure that they must pay him. Macon's contempt with Dr. Foster, in one regard, stems to the doctor's refusal to loan him money that would have granted the both of them a much larger profit in return. And, the different meaning that Macon and Pilate put on the dollar bill helped to shove a wedge between the two of them as it created just enough diversity to where neither of them could hold the same social standing. Despite being siblings, they were two people from an entirely different neighborhood. Money did affect their relationship. A family is supposed to be united through all, at least in theory. But, from a Marxist perspective, it does show in fact that money can divide a house and split up a family. Aren't those considered to be the strongest relationships available?