Wrappin' it up

Looking back at the books we've read this semester, I must say I've enjoyed Wide Sargasso Sea and Song of Solomon the best. I've never read Jane Eyre, so I had to understand the events from class discussions. However, the main reason for enjoying both books could be contributed to Milkman's situation being strikingly similar to Antoinette's. In Wide Sargasso Sea, Antoinette didn't have a sense of belonging to neither to the English practices nor with the people of different races in Jamaica. Christopher tries to comfort her in a way, but Rochester only expresses his intimidation, and vice versa. The issue with race differences and how both sides commit to different beliefs makes it difficult for Antoinette to balance a relationship with people of different beliefs in her life.  As benign of an individual as she is, in the end she is the one who took action toward the situation that caused her to lose her sense of humanity. Her confusion as to what is the right way to behave to please everyone makes her personality similar to Milkman.

Most of his life, Milkman believes he hasn't harmed anyone, but once his sister makes it apparent that their family's life is centered around him, he realizes that his own family seems distant to him. He has lived a privileged life on Not Doctor Street compared to others in his community. He has never been in need of money and has always had a laid-back job ready for him. Milkman never had to put his effort in anything because everything was already done for him. When Magdalene emphasizes that everyone does things for him, he suddenly finds it his responsibility to develop his own self.

While he is unwelcome in his own home, Milkman also feels detached from his party life in Southside. This is his place of entertainment, where he can enjoy himself, but during an argument, Guitar makes it clear to him that he doesn't belong within that community. So, could Milkman end up like Antoinette? Milkman is in need of feeling loved and wanted, which is why in last night's reading, he thinks of Hagar just as he is being strangled to death by Guitar. I'm not sure how Song of Solomon will end, but it seems like Milkman might not have a person to turn to for true affection.

The Truth about Milkman

“This is definitely not Montgomery, Alabama. Tell me. What would you do if it was? If this turned out to be another Montgomery?” asked Guitar.

“Buy a plane ticket.” replied Milkman.

“Exactly. Now you know something about yourself you didn’t know before: who you are and what.” (104)

This scene imposes a very significant relationship between Milkman’s background and the experiences the rest of the people have to deal with. His background is one of a high-status person. Milkman grew up in the most prestigious house on Not Doctor Street. His father, Macon, is the most privileged of the colored people and seems to hold a status even with white people. He uses his job as a means of imposing his superiority due to his wealth. Also, his grandpa, Dr. Foster, was a doctor and happened to be the richest person in the community. Not Doctor Street is a haven Milkman was raised in where he experiences the vastness as opposed to others. Not Doctor Street has a different context when applied to the Southside setting. Southside hones the partying atmosphere and involves a society almost entirely of black people, just like Milkman. However, people living near Southside don't have the same issues as Milkman does on Not Doctor Street. The different locations serve people of different backgrounds, and the idea isn't brought to Milkman until now. 

Milkman and his family have never needed to depend on anyone for survival. Money has always been accessible to the family. However, most people Milkman interacts with are black people who are struck by the racial prejudices and don't find the means for increasing their position. Milkman clearly doesn't fit in the same category because both sides of his family are privileged enough to diverge from such problems.  

Guitar, his own best friend, emphasizes the differences Milkman has with the rest of the population. The very fact that Milkman says he will buy a plane ticket to escape issues in Montgomery reveals the ease of decision-making and lack of interaction with racial prejudices. His family has raised him in a privileged atmosphere which makes his behavior alien to the people around him. Racial bias seems to be an issue, but Milkman denies its importance by claiming he can buy a plane ticket away from a problematic climate. His reaction to such a prevalent concept causes Guitar to doubt his seriousness and ability to comprehend things beyond what he is accustomed to. That could be a reason why Guitar was hesitant to tell Milkman about the Seven Days because the response might be inappropriate.

Overall, Milkman's privilege causes him to diverge from the rest of the community. He has been raised in a family where money is plentiful and life doesn't demand much work. This gap, which Milkman especially creates after claiming to "buy a plane ticket," further sets him apart from everyone and everything, including his own family.