Milkman's Research Into His Family's History example essay topic

Milkman experiences many changes in behavior throughout the novel Song of Solomon. Until his early thirties most would consider him self centered, or even self-loathing. Until his maturity he is spoiled by his mother Ruth and sisters Lena and Corinthian because he is a male. He is considered wealthy for the neighborhood he grew up in and he doesn't socialize because of this.

As a result of his spoiled childhood Milkman takes women for granted. He doesn't consider how his actions affect them. This is shown when he realizes he is bored with his cousin Hagar, whom he has been using for his sexual pleasure for years. Instead of buying her a Christmas gift he gives her cash and a thank you note. He thanks her for everything she has done for him and considers the relationship over. Hagar becomes obsessed with killing Milkman.

She makes several attempts to take his life but fails because of her love for him. Her last attempt to kill him is when he is hiding from her in his only friend, Guitar's room. Hagar tries to stab him but after she sees his face she cannot. Milkman tells her to stab herself and says, "Why don't you do that? Then all your problems will be over". [pg 130] This portrays how Milkman is cold hearted towards the opposite sex. Milkman's journey into manhood begins when he is in his thirties.

He has been thriving for financial independence since he began working for his father. He also wants to escape from his family ties. Milkman and Guitar steal a bag of what they believe is gold from his aunt Pilate's house. They are arrested and find only human bones and rocks not gold in the bag, which essentially destroys his sense of flight. His father Macon and aunt Pilate go to the jail to get them released. Pilate performed an aunt Jemima act to assist in their release.

Guitar is ashamed of her act but Milkman feels honored "but the fact that she was both adept at it and willing to do it-for him". [pg 209] This is when Milkman begins to reveal another side for which he begins to mature and care for others. Which leads him to Pennsylvania, in search of the gold to reach his financial independence. While on his quest for the gold Milkman discovers moral value in his family history. While in Pennsylvania he loses all of his material possessions, which enables him to realize his life shouldn't revolve around material items and sparks an interest in his family history. From information he gathers while in Pennsylvania he believes the gold he is seeking is in Virginia. While in Virginia Milkman learns he has family history in the town of Shalimar.

While in the town Milkman realizes he somehow feels connected to the people there. This is a feeling he never had in his hometown. This connections reminds him of his feelings when he is with his aunt Pilate. This opens a strong need in him to find out about his family's past. While in Shalimar Milkman stays with a woman by the name of Sweet. They become lovers and for the first time in Milkman's life he is able to reciprocate mutual feelings for another person of the opposite sex.

Sweet also rejuvenates his sense of flight. This begins to make him homesick for his family. Milkman's research into his family's history reveals that the bones he had stolen from Pilate are actually his grandfathers' remains. He also learns that his grandparents were loved and respected by their fellow citizens.

He has not only found inner peace but also pride in his families past. In the beginning he tries to escape from his family ties and in the end he is trying to embrace his family. Throughout Milkman's life he has been struggling for maturity and the ability to fly. "For now he knew what Shalimar knew: If you surrender to the air, you could ride it". [pg 337].