Song of Solomon Post 5

Chapter 11 begins to show how Milkman is maturing and finally turning into an adult. This chapter throws a lot of obstacles and hardships at him, but it's in these difficult times that Milkman reflects and realizes he needs to change. He is in unfamiliar places and no longer has his father's word to protect him, thus he is forced to grow up and protect himself. This chapter included him getting in a fight at Solomon's store and Guitar almost strangling him to death. In both of these instances there were pauses where Milkman reflected on his life, who he was, and what his actions have been. He evaluates his life up until this point and understands that he has been wrong in the past. This maturing stage that Milkman is going through to leave his childish ways behind and finally fully engage in adulthood can be seen physically in the novel when his limp in his leg disappears. This shows that Milkman is no longer an outsider, but now belongs to the world.