Like Father, Like Son (Almost)

“Let me tell you something, Macon IV”, says Milkman, signaling his son to come over. “A long time ago, I thought if one was to be happy in life, they would have to have some money in their pocket like your grandpa, but repeatedly, when I searched for it, somehow I was never able to find freedom.”

                As we journey with Milkman on his quest through 20^th century America, he relies on others to maintain his life, like a child. Milkman Dead hardly ever “acted independently”, and when he did, hitting his father, it brought “unwanted knowledge and some responsibility” (120). Milkman shied away from growing up because it required too much of him, realizing this fact at the age of fourteen. At that time, he diagnosed himself with a “deformity”, having “one leg shorter than the other” (62). Morrison symbolizes Milkman’s lack of maturity through the visual representation of his leg. For a long time, the limp persists, as he remains tied to his parents, but one day “the left one looked just as long as the other” (209).  Ashamed of stealing from Pilate, the one who showed him freedom, and then watching her defend his case, Milkman regrets what he has done and respects his aunt more than ever. Through her example, Milkman realizes he must learn to fly.

                While Milkman begins his journey, however, money is his driving factor. All his life, Milkman tried to “differ from his father as much as he dared”, but as Macon taught the ways of business, Milkman emulated everything Macon was (63). If you have not reached part 2 quite yet, Spoiler Alert! Milkman travels back to his father’s old town in hopes of finding the gold, as if he has not learned of its destructive power. For instance, the thought of wealth ruined Milkman when he went as far as deciding to possibly kill Pilate, a sixty-year-old lady and not to mention his aunt. Milkman may have gotten rid of his limp, but he still had to learn how to walk because for far too long, Milkman "never stood straight" (62).