The Character Development of Milkman Essay - 934 Words

In Song of Solomon Toni Morrison tells a story of one black mans journey toward an understanding of his own identity and his African American roots. nbsp;This black man, Macon Milkman Dead III, transforms throughout the novel from a na#239;ve, egocentric, young man to a self-assured adult with an understanding of the importance of morals and family values. nbsp;Milkman is born into the burdens of the materialistic values of his father and the weight of a racist society. nbsp;Over the course of his journey into his familys past he discovers his familys values and ancestry, rids himself of the weight of his fathers expectations and societys limitations, and literally learns to fly. Morrison sets the stage with many†¦show more content†¦nbsp;Ironically, due to his familys wealth and status, he is very disconnected with the black oppression that the rest of his culture feels even though he himself is much like a slave to his father. All that Milkman knows of his familys roots are the facts that they originated in Virginia and his grandfather was killed on his farm in Pennsylvania. nbsp;He knows nothing of his ancestors struggles with oppression and slavery. nbsp;Therefore he does not understand or appreciate his African American heritage. When Milkman is in his thirties he does, however, learn of a story of the possibility of gold being hid in a cave in where his father grew up. nbsp;Milkman believes that if he finds this gold that he will have the wealth and power that he needs to be free of his fathers rule. nbsp;What Milkman doesnt realize is that not only is he about to embark on a gold hunt for gold he is also on a gold hunt for his identity. Milkmans journey starts in a town called Danville. nbsp;Danville is the town where his father grew up and his grandfather was shot by white land owners. nbsp;In Danville Milkman learns a lesson about hospitality by the revered who takes him in for no reason other than to help him. nbsp;In Danville he also meets Circe who was his fathers caretaker after the death of his grandfather. nbsp;Circe fills in some of the gap in Milkmans heritage by telling him theShow MoreRelatedTheme Of Character Development In Song Of Solomon1161 Words   |  5 PagesSong of Solomon’s protagonist Milkman plays a crucial role in the novel’s major focal point of character development. The novel can be appropriately labeled a Bildungsroman due to its clear and continuous creation of Milkman’s characteristics. Throughout the text readers can see changes made within the character, such as his reactions to situations and the language he uses when he is talking and thinking. Milkman comme nces the novel as a confused, spoiled young man who feels he deserves the worldRead MoreCharacter Development In Song Of Solomon1739 Words   |  7 Pagesthem in their adulthood. These transitions cause character development within the protagonist, Milkman Dead. In the bildungsroman, or coming of age, novel Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, Milkman evolves from an ignorant and selfish being to a responsible and caring man. While trying to become an independent man, he both socially and personally developed. Macon Dead III, or otherwise known as Milkman, starts off growing into an egotistical character. As much as he tried not to be like his fatherRead MoreAnalysis Of Toni Morrison s Song Of Solomon1374 Words   |  6 Pagesof adulthood. It does not always coincide with society’s definition of an adult and adduces more to the psychological and moral growth of an individual. In life, experiences and influences are said to be the factors that help in developing ones character. Things that on the surface may not seem to have lasting effects are usually the most impressionable of situations. Though personality traits derived from cultural experiences are often seen early on in life, they can continue to develop and evolveRead MoreMilkman Character Analysis981 Words   |  4 Pagesthe dispute is whether or not learning your history can influence your individual character. The currents of an ocean allow for the construction of any destiny; Pilate symbolized the strong current that dr ove Milkman’s ship to safe grounds. In the novel, â€Å"Song of Solomon† by Toni Morrison, even though Macon Dead III â€Å"Milkman† is the protagonist, Pilate Dead, Milkman’s aunt plays the essential role to the development of the novel. In other words, she becomes the stimulator of the novel’s main issuesRead More Essay on Flight in Song of Solomon1579 Words   |  7 Pagesthis book, to feel this experience (Tate 125). But Morrison also indicates in each of her novels that images of the zero, the absence, the silence that is both chosen and enforced, are ideologically and politically revelatory. Morrisons male characters ... imagine themselves in flight and are almost all in love with airplanes. ... In the tradition of black literature since Richard Wrights Native Son, however, the privilege of flight, at least in airplanes, is mostly reserved for white boys. BlackRead MoreSong Of Solomon, By Toni Morrison1242 Words   |  5 Pagesof Solomon, Toni Morrison depicts the many aspects of self-actualization, and the difficulties of growing up in a maltreated life. The story revolves around generations of black family in the south during the segregation of whites and blacks. The character of Macon Dead jr., suffers from a sheltered life. Macon jr., is unaware of his family’s history, and the cruel reality of mistreatment during segregation. In the sheltered and confusing environment Macon jr., lives pushes him to find the authenticRead MoreThe Development Of Memory And Truth. After Doing Research1194 Words   |  5 PagesThe Development of Memory and Truth After doing research on Post Traumatic Stress disorder, there seemed to spark a striking argument of truth in memory based on how it is retrieved and convoluted with people’s previous perceptions. Truth and fact can be altered based on one’s viewpoint of a subject and preceding experiences. Authors can portray common themes in novels using drastically different methods such as character development, stylistic structures, and literary devices. In the novelRead More Essay on Milkman’s Search for Identity in Song of Solomon653 Words   |  3 PagesIdentity in Song of Solomon      Ã‚   Song of Solomon tells the story of Deads unwitting search for identity. Milkman appears to be destined for a life of self-alienation and isolation because of his commitment to the materialism and the linear conception of time that are part of the legacy he receives from his father, Macon Dead. However, during a trip to his ancestral home, â€Å"Milkman comes to understand his place in a cultural and familial community and to appreciate the value of conceiving ofRead MoreAnalysis Of Frank Sargeson s Short Stories Conversation With My Uncle Cats By The Tail 1544 Words   |  7 Pagesidentify, analyse and critique the similarities and differences of four Frank Sargeson’s short stories: ‘Conversation with my Uncle’, ‘Cats by the Tail’, ‘A Piece of Yellow Soap’ and ‘Chaucerian’. Many things intrigued me about Sargeson such as: the development of anecdotes into short stories, the transcript of the New Zealand colloquia l language, and the use of simple words leading to a breathtaking level of complexity in his stories. But what impressed me the most was the fact that he almost never referredRead MoreAnalysis Of Sonny s Blues 1510 Words   |  7 Pagessocially and academically involved. In â€Å"The Two Offers† by Frances E. W Harper, her character Laura Lagrange who has to decide on if the married life is truly what she wants, would the man she marries agree with her desires of making a home? In â€Å"Sonny’s Blues† by James Baldwin, two brothers are defined by their life choices in which were influenced by society. â€Å"Song of Solomon† by Toni Morrison’s main character Milkman, has a coming of age story, in which he finds out what and where his home really