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 steals the green tarp holding what he believes gold. Then, displaying even more greed, the pair pursues a white peacock.
Interestingly, in chapter 9, I would argue that much of Milkman’s worldview comes into question. To start, he is pulled over by a police officer with no clear reason for doing so. Previously oblivious to any form of racism, Milkman is now made fully aware of the fact that, merely because he is African-American, he is more suspicious in the eyes of the police and white people in general. This particular idea is one that he dismissed when speaking with Guitar about Emit Till—instead of considering that whites could have targeted Till because of his race, he dismisses Till as crazy. After he awakes the morning after the incident, he also begins to feel remorse and shame for what he did—he realizes the immaturity of his actions. As evidence of a more profound mental transformation, Milkman’s physical imperfection—his different leg lengths—also suddenly appears to correct itself. As he looks in the mirror, the shorter leg appears to have grown to match the other one.
We haven't really discussed Milkman's arrest in class, but I think it's an interesting example of Milkman being confronted with the racism that he's chosen to ignore for most of his life. Milkman doesn't think about issues of race or class because he was raised in a rich family and was encouraged to distance himself from members of the poorer black community. When he's arrested, he begins to notice racism and takes a step towards becoming a "serious person" like Guitar.
ReplyDeleteThat's a really interesting point. I never really thought about the scene between Milkman and the police officer. Throughout this novel, I feel like the issue of race is one of the major themes, but it's not explicitly discussed as much as we'd expect it to be discussed. After all, the privilege that Milkman has, and the bubble he lives in prevents us from seeing the reality of racism and discrimination, until Milkman himself is confronted with the issue.
ReplyDeleteI think the connection between Milkman's spiritual transformation and physical transformation that you draw attention to is really important. Milkman was always less than a man, or even less than a person, and this was symbolized by his shorter leg. With his experiences on his quest, Milkman becomes a full person and a full man and his legs become normal as a symbol of this.
ReplyDeleteYes the connection you make between the growth of Milkman's legs and his mental "age" is an important one. In part I of Song of Solomon, we are given reference to Milkman's leg imperfection, with one leg longer than the other. This is common during the stages of growth for a child, and this fact extends to idea that Milkman is an adult trapped in a child's body, especially mentally as you say. Once Milkman's travels are over, both legs are the same length, and once again this extends to the idea that Milkman is now fully a mature adult.
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