There are some characters in literature that begin like a seed. little and simple in certain context. but they grow with penetration and understanding into a wholly new being. Often times. this development of the supporter is seen as the most important component in the patterned advance of the text. This growing is the cardinal intent of the character and the novel. In Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon. protagonist Milkman Dead embarks on a journey to detect truths of his family’s beginning.

Most significantly. the journey becomes double. doing a profound impact to motivate the growing and development of Milkman’s character as a whole. Assorted events associated with the Shalimar journey service as turning points for Milkman. interrupting his dependance on his male parent. set uping new relationships through newfound altruism. and pulling out his passion and thrust for life. The journey to Shalimar non merely physically detaches Milkman from his male parent. Macon Dead. but inside Milkman. it besides serves as the motion that propels his strive for independency.

Milkman becomes cognizant that Macon provides everything for him. He says to his male parent. “I’m still populating at place. working for you – non because I sweated for the occupation. but because I’m your boy. I’m over 30 old ages old” ( 163 ) . Milkman has been wholly dependent on his male parent in every facet. This suggests that he is still a kid. non mature plenty to maneuver his ain life. Even in a old effort to go forth and pave his ain route. Milkman needs to inquire his male parent to pay his manner for a twelvemonth because he has achieved nil and can non assist himself.

This trust on his household. chiefly his male parent. comes to a arrest as Milkman leaves for Shalimar. entirely. The polar minute is emphasized at the point where he is driving: “…sitting behind a maneuvering wheel… He was his ain manager – alleviating himself when he wanted to. halting for a cold beer when he was thirsty…” ( 260 ) . The start of the journey symbolizes the beginning of Milkman’s growing. Finally. he takes control of his ain life ; he is both literally and figuratively in the driver’s place. In this stepping-stone phase. Milkman parts with his inner kid and must believe on his ain. like an grownup.

Milkman achieves the independency he wanted and at this point. becomes his ain adult male and his character is free to develop farther. During Milkman’s clip in Shalimar. he bit by bit transforms from an narcissistic young person to a adult male of compassion. In Shalimar. Milkman is introduced to genuine friendly relationships he had ne’er known. He establishes existent relationships with people by larning how to reciprocate Acts of the Apostless of kindness. Elusive alterations in Milkman take topographic point. foremost. when he begins to pass clip with the town’s hospitable occupants. After a hunting trip with a group of work forces he had merely met. Milkman opens up.

He becomes comfy with them as they bond over laughs and narratives. Milkman experienced a existent joy of sharing ; he felt “exhilarated by merely walking the earth… And he did non limp” ( 281 ) . This symbolizes Milkman’s developed moral mentality. He acquires a new personality and betterment in his behaviour. At a woman’s house. in which he stayed. he voluntarily makes up the bed. washes her dishes. and cleans the bath ( 285 ) . These are simple Acts of the Apostless that mark his alteration and new behaviour. In Shalimar. Milkman learns to give back and he develops compassion for people.

This moral development is drastic in Milkman ; even his childhood friend. Guitar. “had ne’er seen Milkman give anybody a manus. particularly a stranger” ( 296 ) . Milkman was spoiled by his household and merely minded himself ; therefore. this transmutation is a milepost in his character development. The alteration of bosom transforms Milkman into a new individual. By the terminal of his clip in Shalimar. Milkman has shed his former naif and inactive ego. and learns to actively confront life despite its troubles. Guitar had one time said to Milkman. “if things of all time got tough. you’d thaw.

You’re non a serious person” ( 104 ) . Guitar implies that Milkman avoids hard issues and is unable to support himself. Milkman is dead to many things ; in fact. his last name. Dead. maps as a wordplay to stress his apathetic character. In Shalimar. nevertheless. Milkman breaches a turning point to encompass a new position on life. Milkman is overcome with emotion when Guitar attempts to kill him. Milkman becomes “filled with such unhappiness to be dying…and [ he ] grabbed the Winchester at his side. cocked it. and pulled the trigger…” ( 279 ) . At this minute. Milkman shows aggression.

He realizes he feels sad at the face of decease and puts up a battle to support himself. Milkman eventually develops passion for something. and his character is transformed through his newfound value in life. Guitar attempts to kill him a 2nd clip and “without pass overing off the cryings. taking a deep breath. or even flexing his knees- [ Milkman ] leaped” ( 337 ) . With a new position on life. Milkman learns to confront the problems of life ; his character becomes driven by new passions and emotions. By the terminal of the novel. Milkman is a new individual. unafraid of neither life nor decease.

Milkman’s character experiences an full transmutation. and by the terminal of his Shalimar journey. he becomes a new individual. Milkman matures by interrupting off and asseverating his independency. He besides shows moral growing by reciprocating kindness and friendly relationships with compassion ; he discovers a new energy for life that drives him to new emotions. to support his ain being. and to encompass life with passion. Throughout the journey. Milkman is a work in advancement ; nevertheless. at the terminal of the novel. his character had grown and developed. altering Milkman. as a whole. for the better.