Essay on Song of Solomon A Bildungsroman of Milkman

It can be said that Song of Solomon is bildungsroman which is defined by The Encyclopedia Britannica as â€Å"a class of novel that deals with the [coming-of-age or] formative years of an individual†. Furthermore, in a bildungsroman, a main protagonist usually undergoes some transformation after seeking truth or philosophical enlightenment. In Morrison’s novel, the plot follows the main protagonist Milkman as he matures within his community while developing relationships with others and discovering his individual identity. In an essay titled Call and Response, Marilyn Sanders Mobley notes that â€Å"What Song of Solomon does ultimately is suggest that a viable sense of African American identity comes from responding to alternative constructions of†¦show more content†¦Smith had learned earlier—that only birds and airplanes could fly† (Morrison 9). Morrison writes that Milkman loses all interest in himself at that point. This incident is complement ary to an episode in The Autobiography of Malcolm X when Mr. Ostrowski, a teacher of Malcolm X’s, tells Malcolm that becoming â€Å"a lawyer†¦is no realistic goal for a nigger† (X 41). In both cases, each individual thereafter tries to pursue a more mainstream view of self-identity. Further observation of the two men aligns closely with identities of American ideals of wealth, prosperity, and Western culture. Initially, Milkman’s journey leads him down a path that resembles cultural influences of mainstream America. This is the same direction in which his father, Macon Dead, Jr. navigates his life—seeking wealth, prosperity, and likeness to White Americans while remaining undisturbed by the problems inherent to his community. Milkman tries to imitate this characteristic of his father’s until he grows older and realizes that one of his legs is shorter than the other which requires him to walk with a limp. At fourteen, â€Å"Milkman feared his father, respected him, but knew, because of his leg, that he could never emulate him† (Morrison 63). Once again Milkman’s sense of identity is stumped and while he tries to imitate his father, he becomes different, nonetheless, in his behaviors. Milkman’s journey for an identity takes him down a road in which he becomes as callous as his father.Show MoreRelatedTheme Of Character Development In Song Of Solomon1161 Words   |  5 PagesSong of Solomon’s protagonist Milkman plays a crucial role in the novel’s major focal point of character development. The novel can be appropriately labeled a Bildungsroman due to its clear and continuous creation of Milkman’s characteristics. Throughout the text readers can see changes made within the character, such as his reactions to situations and the language he uses when he is talking and thinking. Milkman commences the novel as a confused, spoiled young man who feels he deserves the worldRead MoreCharacter Development In Song Of Solomon1739 Words   |  7 PagesSong of Solomon By Toni Morrison Ayanna Higgins Mr. Amoroso AP Literature Topic #1 Maturity comes with experiences in life. Some are exposed to those events early while others encounter them in their adulthood. These transitions cause character development within the protagonist, Milkman Dead. In the bildungsroman, or coming of age, novel Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, Milkman evolves from an ignorant and selfish being to a responsible and caring man. While trying to become an independentRead MoreThe Lack Of Lack : The Uniqueness Of Pilate1815 Words   |  8 Pagesof the most exciting figures who carries symbolic significance in Song of Solomon, I consider applying the lens of androgyny to analyze her image as problematic, and further disagree with the understanding of her â€Å"wholeness† as a solution to the dilemma faced by the female characters. I will show that instead of being an existence of androgyny, Pilate serves as the epitome of femininity defined by the literary realm of Song of Solomon; her â€Å"lack†, that is, a sense of insufficie ncy in political mobility