Song Of Solomon Milkman Character Analysis

The physical journey of characters adds substance to the work as a whole. In Song of Solomon, Milkman (Macon) endures a long journey of his own throughout the novel to search for his own identity and learns about his ancestors and past. The author conveys this journey by Macon’s name and last name, breaking away from his father, and flight. The nickname that Macon got stuck with was Milkman. He got this nickname because Macon was breast fed long past infancy and where the name Milkman came from. This presents how Macon got his nickname and how he was treated when he was a kid. This also gave a background on how he felt when people called him Milkman. “A milkman, That’s what you got here, Miss Rufie. A natural milkman if ever I seen one. Look out, womens. Here he come. Huh!” (Morrison 15) Macon eventually got accustomed to his nickname and didn’t seem to really care about it and was more intrigued by his actual name. Macon’s last name was also intriguing. Dead which serves as his family’s identity. His last name defines what’s left of his family. In the end, he finally accepts his family’s past and takes pride in having that last name and keeping the legacy. Father figures generally are role models for their children. But Milkman father’s obsession with wealth and greed leads to Milkman breaking away …show more content…
“It was like flying blind, and not knowing where he was going —just where he had been—troubled him.” (Morrison 32) Milkman not knowing is past leads to him not knowing his future. Milkman’s heritage allowed him to theoretically fly. "'I know your people!' Macon smiled and let his shoulders slump a little. It was a good feeling to come into a strange town and find a stranger who knew your people." (Morrison 229) Flight is a representation of escape, Milkman found himself happiness, journey and family history. By freeing his closed mindset, he is able to follow in the steps of his ancestors and