Women's Role In Frames Milkman

The role of women in family and their influence on children’s development has always accompanied human’s history. Nowadays women occupy important positions in today’s society. Having an active social life, they participate in various social and cultural functions. In the most Western nations, women are no longer disadvantaged in comparison to men. However, the role of women at the beginning of the nineteenth century was repressive and constrictive in many ways. In public as well as at home, society had high expectations and placed importance on women’s behavior and as caring mother, conscientious housewife and subordinate wife, they were supposed to fulfill specific roles. However, despite which expectations women had to satisfy, their key
His name is Macon Dead III, usually called Milkman since his mother breastfed him way past infancy. The novel frames Milkman’s life from birth and is about his psychological and moral development, focusing on Milkman’s quest for self-identity, family background and cultural legacy. With Milkman, Morrison created a character who seemingly lives a privileged, comfortable life in the North of America. During this time, he is surrounded by several women composed of his mother, his lover, Pilate, Circe and finally Sweet. Each has its own character but all try to characterize and seize him in their own way playing a unique role in Milkman’s life. With these five women, Ruth, Hagar, Pilate, Circe and Sweet, Toni Morrison illustrates the role of women in Milkman’s development and perception of women, showing that one’s domestic environment must be left to overcome wrong upbringing and teachings and advice. First, this paper examines Milkman’s time at home, his mother Ruth and his lover Hagar. Divided in three parts, this paper examines Milkman’s time at home, then his first breakout attempt and finally his journey to the South with the respective women at his