p.281-282 Central Ideas for Milkman’s Development

In this part of the novel, Toni Morrison illustrates a special ritual, in which Milkman participates: dressing a bobcat. From the description of the bobcat, one may conclude that the animal is a symbol of the female characters: “The legs fell open. Such thin delicate ankles” (Song of Solomon, 281). Milkman is the one, who lifts out the bobcat’s heart from within its ribcage. In a similar way, Milkman ‘ripped out’ Hagar’s heart.

While the men skin the animal, Milkman thinks about his family and himself. He is self-examining himself. While looking at the bobcat, Milkman remembers a previous conversation. He is thinking of Hagar’s words: “Everybody wants a black man’s life” (Song of Solomon, 281). This sentence in relation to the scene in which it appears suggests that the life of a black man is similar to the life of a hunted animal. Milkman realizes that a black man’s life is being hunted by white men in order to take it away. In addition, black women want the whole life of a black man. Milkman becomes conscious of the fact that his whole life his father wanted his life, Hagar wanted his life, and his mother wanted his life. The dead bobcat may be a symbol of Milkman too. Milkman connects himself to the bobcat because he has previously been a prey: he was attacked by his best friend Guitar. Guitar has caused Milkman much pain because of his betrayal. Milkman feels as though his heart has been ripped out in a similar way he has ripped the heart of the bobcat.

Another interpretation of Milkman’s taking the animal’s heart in his hands, is that Milkman is getting rid of his previous life and his white mentality. This ritual illustrates Milkman’s initiation into the community of the Shalimar people. This scene suggests that Milkman is giving up his previous life in order to find hid identity and happiness.

In this chapter, the audience notices Milkman’s transformation. He is no longer indifferent and arrogant toward the villagers from Shalimar, but he gradually starts to feel intimacy toward them and define himself as part of them. Although at first, the villagers had difficulties accepting him because of his social status, in this part of the book, they accept him in their community. In addition, Milkman starts realizing that material possessions are not the most precious thing on earth. This transformation is symbolized by the image of the peacock: “A peacock soared away and lit on the hood of a blue Buick” (Song of Solomon, 283). The peacock that was unable to fly in previous chapters here is able to soar away. Therefore, like the peacock Milkman will soon be able to fly and feel happy.