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Mr. Smith Jumping from Hospitable
Mr. Smith Jumps off the hospital. "The sight of Mr. Smith and his wide blue wings transfixed them for a few seconds, as did the woman's singing and the roses strewn about...Mr.Smith has seen the rose petal, heard the music, and leaped on into the air."(8-9) -
Milkman is Born
The day after Mr.Smiths Jump from the hospitable building, Milkman was born the first black baby in the hospital. "Mr.Smith's blue silk wings must have left their mark, becuase when the lttle boy discovered , at four, the same thing Mr.Smith had learned earlier--that only birds and airplanes could fly-- he lost all interest in himself" (9) -
MIlkman and Guitar enter the 7 Days
When Guitar and Milkman join the seven days, it signifies a change in both Guitar and Milkmans identity. While Guitar claims they dont kill out of revenge or pleasure, its clear that the cuase changes Guitar into something no less than a monster. "Your day has come, the beauty of what we do is its secrecy, its smallness. The fact that nobody needs the unatural satisfaction of talking about it"(158) -
Macon II Plan to steal the gold
This event again reflects the character traits of Milkman before his journy into discovering the true meaning behind his personal wealth and what to him is important in life."He turned to his son full face and licked his lips. "Macon, get it . Got the both of us. Please get it son, Get the Gold(172) -
MIlkmans Relationship with Hagar Ending
With the relationship of Milkman and Hagars comming to a slow stop, Milkmans overall character has also taking a shift. Now, Milkman is seen to be much more like his father, cold hearted, nd unattentive."Now, after more than a dozen years, he was getting tired of her. Her eccentricities were no longer provocative and the supefying ease.. It was so free, so abundant, it had lost its fervor. There was no excitement"(91) -
Hagar attempting to kill Milkman
This event is significant im Milkmans life because of how much is doesnt affect Milkman. Comming face to face with death by Hagar, Milkman has no reaction and rather insults Hagar and then leaves. This shows Milkmans disrespect for the people in his life that love him and his inability to love.“ he didn’t concern himself an awful lot about other people.There was nothing he wanted bad enough to risk anything for, inconvenience himself for”(107). -
Milkman Fight with his father
In this passage Milkman is changing.As Macon Dead II is beating ruth, Milkman strikes his father and displays dominance in the family. From this action Milkman is almost abandoned and exiled from the family. -
Milkman and Guitar Steal Pilate's Inheritance
This event in Milkmans life shows his character before his realization of his identity and purpose in life. The meaning of this gold that Pilate may have is more important to him than Pilate and relationship. -
MIlkman sighting of the Peacock
Witht the sighting of the peacock, it introduced Milkman to the idea of letting go of his material wealth and embracing love with other people. This is a big transformation for MIlkman and represents one of the major turning points for his character “How come it can’t fly no better than a chicken?’ Milkman asked. ‘Too much tail. All that Jewelry weighs it down… Wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weighs you down” (179). -
Milkman realizing life without wealth
When Milkman enters the south, he experiences life without all of his wealth. This change is scenery for Milkman allows him to think clearly and understand what his life is about and whats important to him. “They were troublesome thoughts, but they wouldn’t go away... He was only his breath, coming slower now, and his thoughts. The rest of him had disappeared. So the thoughts came unobstructed by other people, by things, even by the sight of himself. There was nothing here to help" -
Milkman Hunting
When Milkman goes hunting in the woods with the locals, he finds himself in a fight with Guitar. This fight with Guitar is another turning point for Milkman. Before, Milkman focused only upon retrieving the gold, however, now Milkman is focused on finding himself and through his fight with guitar he discovers this. The fight with Guitar displays Guitars greed and crave for money. -
Milkman Surrendering to the Air
Being the last line of book, this statement culminates everything that Milkman learned over his lifetime. To surrender to the air and fly away, Milkman must understand his life and all that encompasses it. ” Without wiping away the tears, taking a deep breath, or even bending his knees- he leaped...If you surrendered to the air, you could ride it”(337).
