The Significance of Moving Backwards

One of the ideas that goes along with Milkman is the idea that he is facing and moving in the opposite direction from everyone else.  Milkman walks the opposite way of everyone on the street after he hits his father.  Later in the story, when Milkman is arguing with Guitar, Guitar snaps back at Milkman with the line: "looks like everybody's going in the wrong direction but you, doesnt it?" (106)  I am still confused to the meaning of this idea.  It could show that Milkman has a different view than everyone else in life.  That he holds more or a existentialism view on the world than the rest of his community.  While his dad focuses on moving himself up in economic and social society and guitar focuses on getting even for the black race, Milkman seems to hold no purpose in life.  He seems to see nothing worth dying or living for.  

    This idea goes together with another quote about Milkman looking the opposite way when he turns around to look at his sister: "It was becoming a habit-this concentration on things behind him.  Almost as though there were no future to be had."(35)  Even from an early age of five, Milkman has a bleak outlook on life.  He never really seems to become heated about anything, or care intensely for anything.  He like Meursault, is doing whatever he wants when he wants.  He also lacks any real connections to his family.  But, I am still confused on the whole meaning of Milkman moving in the opposite direction.  There seems to be some complexity or resolution that has not been revealed in the text that is essential to this idea. What do you thing?

Comments

[Emma J]

Not only are there times in "Song of Solomon" when Milkman is physically walking against the flow of people, but there are several times when Milkman is mentally going against the flow of people, in which he seems to be almost regressing into a child, while the people around him are "maturing."

It's interesting that you think that Milkman is the one who is similar to Meursault, in which he doesn't really have a purpose in living...I kind of thought that he was one of the characters in the novel that does have a meaning to life. Although he's independent and strays away from his family, he seems determined to put his family history together like a puzzle! He also seems determined to help Guitar...maybe...

[Margo T]

I think its interesting that you brought up Meursault because now i see the resemblance

[Michael M]

I agree with Emma on the whole maturing thing. Milkman's life has always been a little strange, starting with the source of his name. He never really seems to get a childhood. I feel like he wants to get that chance at a childhood that is worth it, but it means being left behind. I also think that it could be about Milkman's views. Everyone seems to be completely one way or the other, but he's moderate. Everyone is heading towards a clash of the races, a race war, and he is just staying neutral and trying not to add fuel to the fire. Although, I think the maturing part is more probable.

[Hunter S.]

I see this as another way of showing his difference from everyone around him. The clear difference that is at the beginning is that he is a higher class African-American among those of a lower status. I think that it is a very interesting way of setting up Milkman as an outsider to his community.

[Lucy Murrey]

Nice perspective! I think that it's a very interesting way of setting up Milkman as an outsider to his community.