Essay On Milkman's Identity In Song Of Solomon

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In Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon there is a character named Milkman, who ends up finding his identity. Milkman finds out the history of his family and it changes how he sees the world. Milkman starts off as a person wandering almost aimlessly through life, but he later discovers his true self. In Song of Solomon Milkman finds out about his past, and without realizing it at first he goes on a journey of self discovery and finding his identity. Throughout the first half of Song of Solomon Milkman is immature and selfish. Milkman’s father, Macon Sr. wants him to love money and become a materialistic man just like him. However, Milkman wants to become free of his father's influence and wants to be nothing like him, “Macon was clean-shaven; Milkman was desperate for a mustache. Macon wore bow ties; Milkman wore four-in-hands. Macon didn’t part his hair; Milkman had a part shaved into his. Macon hated tobacco; Milkman tried to put a cigarette into his mouth every five minutes.” (Morrison,63). Even though Milkman did not appear to be like his father, he still took after him in small ways. Milkman still shares his father's values of many things such as treating the people he deems inferior without much respect and not being able to keep strong relationships with women. Being different from someone that a person …show more content…

Hagar loves Milkman deeply, but Milkman does not completely return her love. When he leaves to go on the search for Pilate’s gold he leaves everyone behind. He is slowly starts finding his identity during this period, but that does not help anyone in back home. Hagar is heartbroken and believes that the reason Milkman does not love her is because she is not as beautiful as the other girls. She goes shopping for new makeup and clothes, but in the end she still does still does not believe Milkman will ever love her and it truly kills her. Milkman has treated many people in his life in a horrible

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