Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon portrays Milkman’s growth from a young boy to a man of moral character. Through encounters, Milkman learns more about his past and pursues it. Milkman is a young man who wanders aimlessly through life, with no sense of direction. But as he gets older, and the past of his family unravels, we see him become wiser. Toni Morrison portrays Milkman’s growing awareness of others through Milkman’s listening skills. Milkman’s insistence on his own opinion and wants is evident time after time. Milkman’s emotions are always unaffected. He can grab a beer at Railroad Tommy’s and then get scolded at Magdalene. Only after he learns more about his family’s history and matures, does Milkman feel morally responsible.
Milkman, a young man who doesn’t seem like he has a purpose in his life, is first introduced. He is a wanderer, doing his own thing, and doesn’t find meaning in what people tell him. Guitar and he decide that they will go to Railroad Tommy’s for a beer. Railroad Tommy denies them the beer and then lectures them about life’s limitations. Milkman, however, sees this as a useless harangue. Milkman’s response to the lecture is disinterested: “What’s Alaska baked?” (61). Tommy’s talk is of little significance to him. Instead, he is more curious about Guitar’s tastes preferences. Milkman was astonished. ‘Why not?'” (61). Milkman is at this stage in his life where he doesn’t care about what other people think of him. He is immature because he doesn’t consider other people’s thoughts important and only his thoughts are relevant. He doesn’t try to find a life lesson if he isn’t allowed a beer. Instead, he thinks about the dessert Tommy suggested. As he gets older, he starts to value the opinions of others more than his own. Magdalene greets Milkman as he arrives home from his drinking session with Guitar. He tries hard to ignore Magdalene, who is exhausted and waiting for him at the top of the stairs. But she continues telling him a childhood story. Milkman relates that as a child he used to pee on Magdalene. Magdalene is a different view. Milkman peed on Magdalene’s purple violets and wild Jonquils earlier in the day, which caused them to die. He listened to her story and felt the need to kill him. “Milkman turned around and walked across this room. He thought it was great advice. It is worth it. He shut the door” (221). Milkman’s reaction is very similar to Railroad Tommy’s earlier lecture. He is attentive to his lecture and seems open to the possibility of his recognizing his mistake. Magdalene’s criticisms of him were wise and should not be dismissed lightly. Milkman is learning more about his sister’s life through this example. This helps him develop a sense and respect for others.
Later, Milkman, who is on a mission to find Reverend Cooper, stops by King Walker’s Gas Station in Shalimar. He is then invited by a group men to go hunting with them. Milkman’s first sign that he is active listening is in the woods. Slowly, it all came together. Men and dogs – they were all communicating with each other. The dogs and the men were communicating with one another. They spoke in distinct voices, saying complicated and unique things. One of the dogs let out a distinct howl following that long yah sound. The low howm was like a string-bass imitating an oboon and meant that the dogs had understood what it meant. This is a glimpse into his transformation to become a better listener. It seems that his quest for information about his family’s roots has led him into this forest. There, he can hear and interpret the voices of hunters as well as their dogs. This contrasts with the Milkman who, because of his selfish nature, was a disregarded person. He’s now out in nature, listening carefully to the sounds around him, trying to find meaning. He doesn’t know what they are saying but he knows that every rhythmic response and call has a meaning.
Milkman also shows concentration when listening. Milkman watches Shalimar’s children perform a game while singing a song that tells the story of his family’s history. Milkman remembers everything they sing… Sing was Indian or part Indian. Her surname was Sing Byrd. No, she is singing bird! She must have called her Singing Bird when she was first named. Crowell Byrd, her older brother, was probably Crow Bird, if not Crow. They had combined their Indian names with American names” (303-304). He listens attentively to and memorizes the songs about Solomon, Heddy, or his other ancestors. He then makes a furious series of connections between what is being sung and how it was interpreted.
Last but not least, Milkman is at the end of his evolution when he really reflects on all of his sins. When he finally returns home, he is knocked unconscious by Pilate. He begins to think: “What was Pilate knocking him out for?” He thinks about her sack of bone he stole. No. He was saved by her. Was it possible that he had done something else to bring her back against him? He knew what he had done. Hagar. Hagar had experienced something. What had happened to her? Did she flee? Is she ill or…Hagar had died. The neck cords tightened. He had injured her and left her. And now, he knew she was dead. He had abandoned her. He had a dream of flying. But Hagar was already dying. Pilate knew it. He is now back in Shalimar. This time he has a lot of knowledge about his family’s history. It also gives him a new sense morality. Milkman finally admits to his mistake of breaking Hagars’ heart with money. This conclusion was made possible by considering Pilate’s feelings and not his own. It is evident that he respects the humanity of other people, and sees value both in Hagar’s existence and Pilate. Milkman also found moral issues in Solomon abandoning his children. Sweet’s silvery voice said to him, “Who’d’ve he left behind?” Ryna was left behind with twenty children. Twenty-one was the number he had left behind, having dropped the one that he wanted to take. Ryna was crying in a ditch, having thrown herself to the ground and lost her mind. Who took care these twenty children? Jesus Christ, He left twenty-one kids!” (332). Even though he had never met Solomon, he feels strongly enough about his treatment of them. This shows that his views on morality are different from those expressed by Milkman.
Through his entire life, Milkman has undergone many changes. Toni Morrison’s attentiveness to others around him allows us to see his progress. Milkman’s increasing moral integrity and awareness are also reflected in this increased awareness. He transforms from an indifferent and naive teenager to a morally upright adult who listens and interprets the calls and songs he hears. Milkman doesn’t shun advice from others but accepts it. He does this by accepting the criticisms of Magdalene and Railroad Tommy. We even witness him “close his eyes” and focus while the children sing their song. He grows in his ability listen and becomes more principled.
