Milkboy -> Milkman
For the majority of the novel, Milkman seems to behave like an adolescent despite his older age. Even in his early 30’s, he acts as if he were in his early 10’s—highlighted by the fact that he’s had the same job working for his dad for years and still has a nickname he got when he was in his mid 0’s. Similarly, he has steadily become more akin to his father. He collects rent at Macon Jr’s command and has a similar egotistical attitude, manifested in his disgust when he realizes that Ruth’s life doesn’t comprise exclusively of being his mother. More importantly, his arrogance has also manifested in a lack of interest in racial issues for African-Americans, such as when Guitar tells him about the murder of Emit Till. During Milkman and Guitar’s robbery in chapter 8, we see many of these negative character traits manifested. Milkman, a middle-aged man, obeys the order from his father to steal from his aunt. Believing that his desires are of utmost importance, he follows through and s...