In order to have meaning in life, every individual must find and unlock their true identity. Through unlocking one's identity, an individual enables themself to reach their true potential. When a person unlocks their identity, they are able to carve their path in life through finding and achieving their own quest. While one might believe they have already etched their path in life, an individual cannot truly determine their path in life until they have found their identity. In order to understand and find one's identity, an individual must refrain from directing substantial significance toward objects and money and rather learn to value family and love.
In Morrison's Song of Solomon, Milkman spends his entire youth and early adult life …show more content…
After coming up unsuccessful in his quest for gold at Hunter's Cave, Milkman heads back to the Pennsylvania bus station. While at the station house, Milkman proceeds to ask an elderly man about Reverend Cooper's whereabouts, and after he learns of Cooper's departure, the elderly man asks, "‘could you give me a hand with this?’ He pointed down to the huge crate at his feet. Too tired to say no or explain, Milkman nodded. The two of them grunted and groaned over the box, and finally got it up on a dolly… Milkman slumped over the crate and caught his breath, barely able to nod” (256). Milkman's assistance with the crate spearheads his identity formation. Up until this act, Milkman held strong materialistic beliefs sprouting from his father's original indoctrination where he told Milkman the one important act to perform in life should be to "own things" (55). However, at this point in Milkman's life, he has finally committed an act contrary to materialism: he helped another man with his material possession and in doing so, allowed the man to "use" him. For once, he put material wealth and positions low on his priorities and instead focused on helping somebody else. In representing Milkman's identity formation, this act by Milkman signals the start to him finding his identity as his materialistic ideals created a mindset …show more content…
Mine was far more traumatic. At the time, during the 2016 summer, something I valued largely was money, carrying on my early childhood beliefs. While I still care about money deeply, during this time, I cared about money as well as my important, expensive possessions as items requiring the utmost attention and care. I found myself constantly sacrificing time with friends and family because I felt as though the money required to spend time with them was not worth the experience. I was truly clouded in materialism. Then it occurred. I remember it so frightfully. Driving towards my house, only one or two blocks away, my Dad in the front seat while by brother sat in back. "Huh!" I gasped under my breath. In an instant, the gray sedan headed toward me in the left lane had crossed into my lane to make a lengthy, wide left turn. All I could do was stomp on the brake. There was no chance. Irrrrrk! Boom! My head jolted forward as my neck sprung toward the steering wheel, but prior to hitting the wheel, my neck rebounded back. The right, front turn signal launched from its socket, rapidly coming back down to land on the hood of the car. After hitting the gray sedan with the front of my car, we both came to a stop to survey the damage and approach each other. Minutes later the police showed up. "You're lucky it was
In Morrison's Song of Solomon, Milkman spends his entire youth and early adult life …show more content…
After coming up unsuccessful in his quest for gold at Hunter's Cave, Milkman heads back to the Pennsylvania bus station. While at the station house, Milkman proceeds to ask an elderly man about Reverend Cooper's whereabouts, and after he learns of Cooper's departure, the elderly man asks, "‘could you give me a hand with this?’ He pointed down to the huge crate at his feet. Too tired to say no or explain, Milkman nodded. The two of them grunted and groaned over the box, and finally got it up on a dolly… Milkman slumped over the crate and caught his breath, barely able to nod” (256). Milkman's assistance with the crate spearheads his identity formation. Up until this act, Milkman held strong materialistic beliefs sprouting from his father's original indoctrination where he told Milkman the one important act to perform in life should be to "own things" (55). However, at this point in Milkman's life, he has finally committed an act contrary to materialism: he helped another man with his material possession and in doing so, allowed the man to "use" him. For once, he put material wealth and positions low on his priorities and instead focused on helping somebody else. In representing Milkman's identity formation, this act by Milkman signals the start to him finding his identity as his materialistic ideals created a mindset …show more content…
Mine was far more traumatic. At the time, during the 2016 summer, something I valued largely was money, carrying on my early childhood beliefs. While I still care about money deeply, during this time, I cared about money as well as my important, expensive possessions as items requiring the utmost attention and care. I found myself constantly sacrificing time with friends and family because I felt as though the money required to spend time with them was not worth the experience. I was truly clouded in materialism. Then it occurred. I remember it so frightfully. Driving towards my house, only one or two blocks away, my Dad in the front seat while by brother sat in back. "Huh!" I gasped under my breath. In an instant, the gray sedan headed toward me in the left lane had crossed into my lane to make a lengthy, wide left turn. All I could do was stomp on the brake. There was no chance. Irrrrrk! Boom! My head jolted forward as my neck sprung toward the steering wheel, but prior to hitting the wheel, my neck rebounded back. The right, front turn signal launched from its socket, rapidly coming back down to land on the hood of the car. After hitting the gray sedan with the front of my car, we both came to a stop to survey the damage and approach each other. Minutes later the police showed up. "You're lucky it was