Even though we've only been through three (or so) chapters of Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, there's almost too much to be said. We've been introduced to a host of characters, and it appears as if time has simply flown by. I mean, by the end of Chapter Four Milkman is a little over thirty years old! Despite how "fast-paced" the novel appears to be, at least in terms of coverage of time, I'm really enjoying the book so far.
One thing that I did want to focus on was the superiority complex that Milkman seems to have become completely comfortable with by the end of the third chapter of the novel. In theory, it doesn't surprise me that Milkman could have developed a completely self-centered and bolstered nature. Unlike a lot of other African-Americans during this time period, Milkman is living in luxury. Like Mr. Mitchell said during one of our discussions, he's essentially walked into fortune--he doesn't have to go through the effort of "hunting for it" like Macon II did. He has a life potentially already mapped out for him, yet he seems to be struggling with whether or not it's a life that he wants to lead.
It's evident that Milkman has made changes in terms of having a self-centered attitude as the years have gone by. I think this contrast is most evident in the scene in which Milkman has a relatively tense conversation with Guitar. There were several parts of this conversation that made me come to the conclusion that he's become increasingly self-concerned.
.First of all, he gets really defensive when he believes that he's being talked to like a "snot-nosed kid" and spoken to with a "funny tone," He implores that Guitar is keen on giving him a lecture, and he doesn't want any of that. However, I thought it was pretty evident that Guitar really was just trying to highlight some of the differences between them, Even though they've been friends for years and years and years, it doesn't change the fact that they've sort of drifted off in different directions. I was just surprised when Milkman felt as if he was being talked down to; it made me feel as if he had some sort of insecurity with being bossed around? I'm not entirely sure, but it was definitely food for though.
We see a similar thing when Guitar starts to criticize Milkman's lifestyle, and mentions how he's always hanging out at the Honoré. Guitar says that he'd hate going there, Milkman says that he used to enjoy going there--except Guitar never did enjoy going there. Because of Milkman's delusion which comes from his sense of entitlement, he never even realized that Guitar would go with him, but only because he was being dragged; Guitar never really got any enjoyment out of the experience. It's this type of thing--being so absorbed in your own lifestyle and habits, and therefore overlooking how people are actually feeling--that leads me to believe that Milkman has indeed become someone who's "feelin' himself" a little bit. (Feeling yourself: to be pleased with yourself, your sense of style, or your sense of well being. I think it applies here!)
Milkman, in general, does seem to have it all! This complex (which also probably has something to do with being an adult) is interesting to see on Milkman, when before we've seen him at somewhat cowardly periods in his life. I'm very invested in seeing how this plays out as we get further into the novel!
