The Real Thesis Numero Uno

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THE ROLE OF SECONDARY CHARACTERS IN THE

FINDING OF THE PERSONAL IDENTITY OF THE MAJOR
CHARACTER IN TONI MORRISONS SONG OF SOLOMON
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra
in English Letters
By
DANNY YULYANTO
Student Number: 044214071
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
2011
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A Sarjana Sastra Undergraduate Thesis

By
Danny Yulyanto
044214071
Approved by
Elisa Dwi Wardani S.S., M. Hum.

Advisor
September 22, 2011
Dewi Widyastuti, S.Pd., M.Hum.

Co- Advisor
September 22, 2011
ii
A Sarjana Sastra Undergraduate Thesis

By
Danny Yulyanto
044214071
Defended before the Board of Examiners

on September 30, 2011
and Declared Acceptable
BOARD OF EXAMINERS
Name
Signature
Chairman
: Dr. Francis Borgias Alip M.Pd., M.A.
___________________
Secretary
: Drs. Hirmawan Wijanarka M.Hum.
___________________
Member
: Elisa Dwi Wardani S.S., M.Hum.
___________________
Member
: Ni Luh Putu Rosiandani S.S., M.Hum.
___________________
Member
: Dewi Widyastuti S.Pd., M.Hum.
___________________
Yogyakarta, September 30, 2011

Faculty of Letters
Sanata Dharma University
Dean
(Dr. I. Praptomo Baryadi, M. Hum.)
iii
LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN

PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH UNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMIS
Yang bertanda tangan di bawah ini, saya mahasiswa Universitas Sanata Dharma:
Nama
: Danny Yulyanto
Nomor mahasiswa
: 044214071
Demi pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan, saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan

Universitas Sanata Dharma karya ilmiah saya yang berjudul:
THE ROLE OF SECONDARY CHARACTERS IN THE FINDING OF THE
PERSONAL IDENTITY OF THE MAJOR CHARACTER IN TONI
MORRISONS SONG OF SOLOMON
Bersama perangkat yang diperlukan (bila ada). Dengan demikian saya
memberikan kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma hak untuk
menyimpan, mengalihkan dalam bentuk media lain, mengelolanya dalam bentuk
pangkalan data, mendistribusikan secara terbatas, dan mempublikasikannya di
internet atau media lain untuk kepentingan akademis tanpa perlu meminta ijin dari
saya maupun memberikan royalti kepada saya selama tetap mencantumkan nama
saya sebagai penulis.
Demikian pernyataan yang saya buat dengan sebenarnya.
Dibuat di Yogyakarta
Pada tanggal: 24 Oktober 2011
Yang menyatakan,
(Danny Yulyanto)
iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First, I am so grateful to Allah for his love. He has given me all wonderful
years in my life. He always walks besides me through the good and bad times.
With the charity, I have experienced a wonderful life.
I would like to express my gratitude to my major sponsor Elisa Dwi
Wardani S.S., M. Hum. for his guidance in accomplishing this paper. I thank all
the lectures of English Letters Study Program of Sanata Dharma University for
sharing their knowledge during my study. To all of the secretariat staff, I thank
them so much for helping me in everything to finish this paper.
My ultimate gratitude is expressed to my dearest parents, Sukirno and
Monica Listiani, my mother in-law, Cici Sucati. I thank them for their endless
love. I thank to my father, who always gives me support, jokes when I sad, and
million advices. To my beloved brothers, I thank them being good models for me.
To all my friends of English Letters, I thank them for being my friends
during my study. I really appreciate every precious moment that we have shared
together in this university.
I am also grateful to every people who always support me when I am down
and have been there for me. I dedicate this thesis to them to express my thanks.
Finally, I would like to express my special gratitude to Amalia Wahyu
Arumsari, my beloved wife, who always accompanies me wherever I go. I thank
her for accepting me as what I am.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE .......................................................................................................
APPROVAL PAGE ..................................................................................
ACCEPTANCE PAGE ............................................................................
APPROVAL PRONOUNCEMENT PAGE OF THESIS
PUBLICATION FOR ACADEMIC CONCERN ....................................
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .....................................................................
TABLE OF CONTENTS .........................................................................
ABSTRACT .............................................................................................
ABSTRAK ................................................................................................
iv
v
vi
vii
viii
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ............................................................

A. Background of Study ............................................................
B. Problem Formulation .............................................................
C. Objectives of the Study ..........................................................
D. Definition Terms ...................................................................
1
1
3
4
4
CHAPTER II: THEORETICAL REVIEW ............................................

A. Review of Related Studies ......................................................
B. Review of Related Theories ...................................................
1. The Theory of Character and Characterization ...................
a. The Meaning of Character .............................................
b. The Types of Character .................................................
c. The Meaning of Characterization ...................................
d. Ways to Create Character Based on Characterization .....
2. Theory of Psychology ........................................................
a. Theory of Personality ....................................................
b. Theory of Personality Development ..............................
c. Theory of Personality Identity .......................................
C. Theoretical Framework ..........................................................
6
6
7
8
8
9
11
12
15
16
17
19
22
CHAPTER III: METODHOLOGY ........................................................

A. Objects of the Study ...............................................................
B. Approach of the Study ............................................................
C. Method of the Study................................................................
24
24
24
28
CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS .....................................................................

A. The Description of the Secondary Characters and
the Major Character ................................................................
B. The Role of the Secondary Characters in the Finding of Major
Characters Personal Identity .................................................
26
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION ................................................................
74
BIBLIOGRAPHY ....................................................................................
77
vi
i
ii
iii
28
57
ABSTRACT
Danny Yulyanto (2011). The Role of Secondary Characters in the Finding of
the Personal Identity of the Major Character In Toni Morrisons Song Of
Solomon. Yogyakarta: Department of English Letters, Faculty of Letters, Sanata
Dharma University.
This thesis is concerned with Toni Morrisons Song of Solomon. It is an

interesting novel since it presents the process of a Negro to find his personal
identity. The writer finds out that the major character is a complex character that
has confusion in determining his life purpose and identity. He has been
enlightened from some people around him that make him understand how to find
his true self identity.
There are two problems related to the topic of the thesis. The first one is
how does Toni Morrison describe the secondary characters, Pilate Dead and
Guitar Bains, Macon Dead and the major character, Milkman Dead? The second
one is what is the role of secondary characters in the finding of major characters
personal identity?
In order to answer the problems, the writer adopt the theory of character,
the theory of characterization and the theory of psychology, especially theory of
personality development by Pikunas and theory of personal identity by Erikson.
Based on the analysis, the writer finds that the finding of Milkmans
personal identity as a generation of legendary Solomon (a negro who flew back to
Africa in order to escape the slave plantation life) is greatly helped by the role of
secondary characters. First of all, from his aunt, Pilate Dead, he learns about how
to be a wise negro. She gives many learning of life that teach Milkman can
determine his next step to make his life better. Second, his friends teaches him
what it means to be a fanatic negro. He gives many knowledge about negro to
Milkman, that Milkman know the culture, problem, and history of negro in his
place. The last secondary character is his Father, Macon Dead. The materialistic
character of his father, bring Milkman find the roots of his ancestor which later is
used by Milkman as a reference in the finding of his personal identity.
vii
ABSTRAK
Danny Yulyanto (2011). The Role of the Secondary Characters in the Finding
of the Personal Identity of The Major Character In Toni Morrisons Song of
Solomon. Yogyakarta: Department of English Letters, Faculty of Letters, Sanata
Dharma University.
Skripsi ini membahas tentang novel Song Of Solomon yang dikarang oleh
Toni Morrison. Novel ini menarik karena menceritakan proses seorang negro
dalam menemukan identitas pribadi. Penulis menemukan bahwa tokoh utama
adalah tokoh kompleks yang memiliki kebingungan dalam menentukan tujuan
hidupnya dan identitasnya. Dia tercerahkan dari beberapa orang di sekelilingnya
yang membuat dia memahami bagaimana menemukan identitas pribadi.
Ada dua masalah yang berkaitan dengan topik skripsi. Pertama adalah
bagaimana Toni Morrison menggambarkan karakter kedua, Pilate Dead dan
Guitar Bains, Macon Dead dan tokoh utama, Milkman Dead? Dan yang kedua
adalah apakah peran tokoh - tokoh kedua dalam menemukan identitas pribadi
karakter utama?
Untuk menjawab masalah itu, penulis mengambil teori karakter, teori
penokohan dan teori psikologi, khususnya teori perkembangan kepribadian
Pikunas dan teori identitas pribadi Erikson.
Berdasarkan analisis, penulis menemukan bahwa penemuan identitas
pribadi Milkman sebagai generasi legenda Solomon (seorang negro yang terbang
kembali ke Afrika untuk menghindari kehidupan perbudakan) sangat dibantu oleh
peran karakter kedua. Pertama dari bibinya; Pilate Dead, dia mempelajari
bagaimana menjadi seorang negro yang bijaksana. Dia memberikan banyak
pembelajaran hidup yang membuat Milkman dapat menentukan langkah
selanjutnya untuk membuat hidupnya lebih baik. Kedua, peran temannya; Guitar
Bains mengajarinya apakah seorang negro fanatik itu. Dia memberikan banyak
pengetahuan tentang negro untuk Milkman, yang membawa Milkman mengerti
budaya, masalah, dan sejarah negro di tempatnya. Karakter sekunder terakhir
adalah ayahnya, Macon Dead. Karakter materialistis ayahnya, membawa
Milkman menemukan asal-usul nenek moyangnya yang kemudian digunakan oleh
Milkman sebagai acuan dalam menemukan identitas pribadinya.
viii
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. Background of Study
According to Aristotle in his book, Philosophy of Aristotle, the individual
is a single and independent substance (1963: 231). Since they live in different
condition and situation, the independent substance gradually diminishes. Through
what they learn from experiences that sometime they find confusing condition, the
independent substance reappears and they try to find his or her personal identity.
To find his or her personal identity, they need to develop his or her character
according to the environment where he or she lives.
Through environment, the other people have an important role in the
finding of someones personal identity which is brought by their characters. Most
people's characters and personalities can be formed in their families supported by
parents, brothers, sisters, and relatives. There are two factors that determine the
development of one's personality, namely individual's early experience within
family and the important events happening outside home (Hurlock, 1974: 19-20).
From the explanation above, it can be concluded that someone's character is
determined by the existence of correlation between family and surroundings role.
According to Roberts and Jacobs (1969: 61), in accordance with the idea
of verisimilitude or imitation, therefore, everything in fiction is related in one way
or another to the reality of everyday life. Since a novel is often inspired by real
life, there are some values that give us lessons about life too. The reader can get
the message from the author that he or she puts forward through the story. The
reader also can get the good example from a character in the novel. The character
usually is created to convey the author's ideas and views through his/her work and
actions.
The changing of characters life inside the novel can be brought up by a
plot. As the characters are derived from real life, there are actions to define their
personalities. Here, plot is a plan of development of the action, in which a
personality of the character is built. The art of characterization which reflects the
personalities of its character will unify the plot and engage the readers. Song of
Solomon is one of a novel that can give more pleasure, emotionally, to the readers.
It presents Toni Morrison's ideas that are reflected through the characters.
Morrison is one of American novelists who have interesting characters in
her novel. She presents the accuracy of the reflection on life and imaginative
creation through her novel. It makes every reader identify themselves with the
character of the novel. It may lead into an understanding of the ideas in the
process of finding personal identity of the major character.
Song of Solomon is about Milkman Dead, a negro and an immature boy at
beginning of the story. He is the major character of the novel. He alienates and
estranges himself from his family, his community, and his historical and cultural
roots. With the role of his aunt and friend, he embarks on a physical and spiritual
journey to find his cultural identity reconnecting him with his past and make him
to realize his personal identity. Pilate, Milkman Dead's aunt, one of secondary
characters, is a wise nigger. Her wisdom brings Milkman to maturity. Guitar,
Milkman Dead's best friend, another secondary character, is a friend that his life
contradicts with Milkman's life. Later, he is a friend who gives a motivation
toward Milkman's spiritual growth to reach his freedom and gives knowledge of
the other negro types. During the time of Milkman's journey to find his personal
identity, there is one interesting feature that focuses the development of Milkman.
At first it is shown that he is very dependent upon his wealthy, materialistic father.
Then, the role of Pilate and Guitar are shown in the finding of Milkmans personal
identity. They are shown in Milkman's maturation into a more independent and
responsible person. Milkman's ability in making his own decision and his
willingness to leave his materialism and try to find his personal identity suggests
that he has been influenced by the role of Pilate Dead identity as a good negro, the
other types of negro in Guitar Bains as fanatic negro and his friend, the
materialistic and the oppression of his father.
Seeing the fact above, it is relevant to focus this study on the role of the
secondary characters, Pilate,Guitar and Macon Dead, in the finding of personal
identity of the major character in Morrison's Song of Solomon.
B. Problem Formulation
Based on the background of the study above, there are two questions to
answer in this study
1. How does Toni Morrison describe the secondary characters, Pilate Dead and
Guitar Bains, Macon Dead and the major character, Milkman Dead?
2. What is the role of secondary characters in the finding of major characters

personal identity?
C. Objectives of the Study

Based on the problem formulation stated previously, the first objective is
to find out how the Secondary characters and the major characters in the Song of
Solomon are described. It tries to find out detailed description of Pilate Dead,
Milkman's aunt; Guitar Bains, Milkman's best friend; Macon Dead, Milkmans
Father and the major character, Milkman Dead, in Morrison's novel. The second
objective is to study the role of the secondary characters in Toni Morrison's Song
of Solomon that lead Milkman to find his personal identity during the course of
the story.
D. Definition Terms
There are two terms which must be clarified in this thesis. These terms are:
1. Character
Character is the person in a dramatic or narrative work, endowed with moral and
dispositional qualities that are expressed in what they say -the dialogue- and what
they
do -the action (Abrams, 1981: 21). So, the character is the person who is
created by an author with certain qualities.

2. Identity
Identity may be defined as the distinctive character belonging to any given
individual, or shared by all members of a particular social or group. The terms
comes from the French word identite which finds its linguistic roots in the Latin
noun identitas, -tatis, itself a derivation of the Latin adjective idem meaning the
same. The term is thus essentially comparative in nature, as it empashizes the
sharing a degree of sameness or oneness with others in a particular area or on a
given point. Identity may be distinguished from identification the former is a
label whereas the latter refers to the classifying itself. Identity is thus best
construed as being both relational and contextual, while the act identification is
best viewed as inherently processual (Rummens 1993: 157-159).
CHAPTER II
THEORETICAL REVIEW
This chapter consists of three parts, namely the review of related studies,
review of related theories, and theoretical framework. The second part is review
of related theories. It discusses the theory of literature, theory of psychology. The
theory of literature involves theory of character and characterization. Theory
psychology covers theory of personality, theory of personality development, and
theory of personal identity.
A. Review of Related Studies

There are many works discussing about the object of this thesis, the work
of Toni Morrison, Song of Solomon. The theories and other work discussing the
novel studied are very helpful for the writer to do this study.
Reynolds Price in his article (www.nytimes.com) stated that Song of
Solomon is a novel which gives the basically realistic mode of most family novels.
It negotiates with fantasy, fable, song and allegory are so organic, continuous and
unpredictable as to make any summary of its plot sound absurd; but absurdity is
neither Morrison's strategy nor purpose. Morrison's purpose in her work of Song
of Solomon is discovering convictions about the possibility of transcendence
within
human
life,
on
the
time-scale
of
single
life.(http://www.nytimes.com/books/98/07/12/specials/price-morrison.html?_r=1).
Through Song of Solomon, Morrison give many themes and symbolism in

the negro culture. Sometimes it can be understood by re- reading the novel to
make sense of them. In the website that contains about book review
(www.caribousmom), said that the novel is about discovery of ones roots, and the
painful search for love. And another theme in the novel is that of racism and the
struggle of blacks in American to overcome the history of slavery. It is also said
that Morrisons books were often difficult reads with weighty themes, but it writes
beautifully
and
is
superb
storyteller.
(http://www.caribousmom.com/2008/02/26/song-of-solomon-book-review/)
Further, Wilentz in African-American review (1992: 61) gave the positive
comment and said that although Morrison wrote her masters thesis on Faulkner
and has acknowledged influence by Marquez and other Latin American writers,
Morrisons writing are deeply entrenched in her own Black folks roots and the
community in which she grew up. Moreover, her text is informed by her mothers
stories, her tribe, and her ancestors African and African-American.
From the statement above the writer position in this thesis is to explore
more deeply about Tom Morrisons works, especially Song of Solomon. The
Writer deliberately picks the topic of identity in major character, in which it is
rarely discuss in any book or other works.
B. Review of Related Theories

In this part, I present some theories related to my study in analyzing the
book Song of Solomon by Tom Morrison. Those theories are theory of literature
involving the theory of character, theory of characterization, some theories

psychology covering theory of personality and theory of influence, and the last
theory is the theory of critical approach.
1. The Theory of Character and Characterization

To find the types of character in the novel, it is relevant to state the theory
of character and characterization. The theory of character covers three
discussions. Those are the meaning of character, the types of character, and the
meaning of characterization, and the ways to create character based on
characterization.
a. The Meaning of Character

In the writing of a story, a writer has a freedom and authority to determine
the problems faced by a character and character's personality. Rohberger and
Woods (1971: 20) explain that characters have particular personalities and
physical attributes that distinguish them from other characters. In literature, a
character is an important element in a story because it can draw the reader's
interest. Rohberger and Woods (1971: 19) state that characters have an important
role in a story since they help the readers to participate in the experience or the
story by sharing imaginatively the feelings or activities of the characters in the
story. In other words, a reader can feel what is felt by a character in a story.
A character in a story can be described by reader's own. Robert and Jacobs
(1969: 143) states in Fiction: An Introduction to Reading and Writing, that
Character in literature generally and fiction specifically, is an extended verbal

representation of human being, the inner self determines thought, speech, and
behavior. Thus the reader can interpret characters as being endowed with moral
and disposition qualities that are expressed in what they say or from their dialogue
and also their actions.
To understand Tom Morisson's view of the characters in the novel, it is
important to pay attention on the theory and meaning of character. According to
Abrams (1981: 21) says that characters are the person's, in a dramatic or narrative
work, endowed with moral and disposition qualities that are expressed in what
they say -the dialogue and what they do -the action. In this case, a character can
be analyzed through what the character says and does.
b. The Types of Character

Since this study emphasizes on the development of the major character,
Macon Dead, in Tom Morrison's Song of Solomon, we need to know types of
characters in a novel. Henkle (1977: 87-97) differentiates character into two types,
namely major character and secondary character. Major character are the most
important and complex characters in a novel used by the authors in order to
communicate their human qualities and guide us to an understanding of the
themes of the novel. In secondary characters, the readers have to identify some of
he secondary character's function if he wants to understand the role of secondary
characters. There are some functions of the secondary characters. The first
function is to inhabit the world in the novel. Second, the character is said to
10
function as a 'point reference' if he has greater intensity. When he undergoes the

emotional state as the major character or takes a part in a situation which parallels
to that of the major's one's, his functions as an 'analogue'.
In order to understand more deeply about characters, Forster (1974: 46-51)
divides characters into two kinds. They are flat and round character. A flat
character is created around a single idea or quality. It is also characterized only
one by one or two traits. The character remains stable and unchanged from the
beginning to the end of the story. The advantages of a flat character are, first, he is
easily recognized by reader's emotional eye, and second, a flat character is easily
remembered by the reader. The character will remain the same and the
circumstances are not likely to change the character. In the reader's mind, the
character stays unalterable. Meanwhile, a round character is dynamic and complex
in temperament and motivation. A round character is hard to classify because the
character is always changing and hard to guess. The character changes in some
significant ways in facing his or her conflict in a story because the change of a
character is also influenced by conflict in a story. The reader can remember him in
connection with the great scenes by which he is modified since he passes through
them.
Round character can change or develop according to certain actions. Also,
the character can keep still, change, or develop in the same manner as human
being. It is better to analyze the flatness or roundness of a character physically or
psychology to our knowledge or our experience.
In additional, Perrine classifies fictional characters into static and dynamic.
11
Static characters are characters that change little in their outlook or personalities
during the course of the story. They remain stable and they are the same sort of
persons at the end of story as the beginning. They are described without much
detail and they are not changed by circumstances. On the other hand dynamic
characters are characters that undergo changes in some aspect of their characters,
personalities or outlook from the beginning to the end of the story. The change
could be better or worse and may be a larger or small one, but it is something
important and basic, and more than a minor change in opinion (Perrine, 1974: 71)
Perrines classification clears away the explanation of characters in a story.
The analyst might not merely view the character only as static character. A
character may have a possibility to have some changes in some ways while the
changes may influence the story a lot.
c. The Meaning of Characterization

There are many theories of characterization in the literary world.
Characterization is the process that the author takes to create character, the
devices by which he makes us believe that a character is the particular type of
person he is (Rohrberger and Woods, 1971: 180). The character will react based
on his ability to overcome the difficulty in that situation. The process of
characterizing or establishing the distinctive characters of the persons in narrative
are through showing and telling (Abrams, 1993: 24). Therefore, there are ways to
find out the type of the a character inside the novel.
12
d. Ways to Create Character Based on Characterization

There are many ways to understand a character based on its
characterization. Murphy (1972: 161-173) points out some ways in which an
author attempts to make his characters understandable and come alive for his
readers. They are as follows:
1. Personal Description
In this way, the author introduces and describes a character from outward
appearance, including his physical appearance and clothing. The character's build,
his skin-color, his hair, and his coat show what sort of person he is.
2. Characters as Seen by Another
This method deals with the description of a character through the eyes and
opinions of another. Here, the author describes the character indirectly. The
author's choice of words delivered by other characters play a significant role.
3. Speech
The author gives an insight into the character of the person through what the
person says. Whenever person speaks, engages on conversation or gives an
opinion, this person gives the readers some clues to his character.
4. Past Life
Character's past life sometimes shows the reader some important clues in order to
know about his character. This method can be conducted through direct comment
from the author, through the person's thought, and through the medium of another
person.
5. Conversation of Others
13
The author describes a person's character with the help of the other people's
conversation and opinions made about him.
6. Reaction
The author describes a persons character through his particular reaction towards
conflicts, occasions, and situations. By knowing the way the character passes
through his reactions toward situations and occasions, the reader can gain an
understanding of the characters personality.
7. Direct Comment
The author gives comment on the characters personality directly.
8. Thought
The author helps the reader gain an understanding of different peoples thinking in
the sense that what the reader might think impossible is very likely to happen on
the world of the novel.
9. Mannerism
The author can describe a persons mannerism, habits and also behavior either
positive or negative which tell us something about the reflection of his personality.
Based on the theory mentioned above, the characteristic of a main or
supporting character can be observed and analyzed thoroughly. There are several
ways for the writer to characterize the characters and the ways provide the analyst
to examine the content of the novel in proper way to gain a description of a certain
character.
Perrine states that characterization could be presented in two ways:
1. Direct Presentation
14
The author who chooses direct presentation simply tells readers about the
characters in the story. He tells the quality of the characters in exposition or
analysis or has someone else in the story who tells us what they are like so that the
readers can understand the character directly. However this method cannot be
used alone: it needs to be supported by the indirect presentation, so that it will be
more convincing (1974: 69).
2. Indirect Presentation
The author shows the readers the character in the action and tells the readers what
they are like from what they think, say and do. The author presents the characters
indirectly through the way they are acting and talking. From this, the readers may
infer their qualities from what they say, think, and do (1974: 69).
The presentations from Perrine help the analyst to have a better
understanding toward the characters. The connection to the former theory, also
from Perrine about static and dynamic characters, prevents a wrong perception to
the analyst about the characters. The changes of the character that may happen in
a story can be explained either directly or indirectly by the author.
In Reading and Writing about Literature (1974: 21), Rohrberger and Wood
say that there are two principle ways by which an author characterizes their
characters:
1. Direct Method
An author uses the direct method to describe the characters physical appearance
and also to describe their intellectual and moral attributes or to explain the degree
of the characters sensibility. This description is based on the authors point of
15
view.
2. Dramatic Method
Instead of describing the character directly, an author uses the dramatic method to
describe the character by placing him or her in situations to show what he or she is
like from the way he or she behaves or speaks. This description is drawn based on
the characters eyes and opinions.
The methods mentioned by Rohrberger and Woods give more explanation
about characterizations. The theory of Rohberger and Woods and the theory of
Perrine have a similarity to explain characterizations. However, the theory from
Rohrberger and Woods adds another side of view to analyze. The theory that
mentions two different points of view which are the authors point of view and the
characters point of view help a lot in analyzing the characterization.
2. Theory of Psychology
Novel reflects life. From it, people can learn something about life itself.
They can also learn about themselves, in every aspect they live. People can also
learn the way others behave, act, and what lies under them. It deals with the way
people think and presented in the story as a whole. It deals with psychology.
Toni Morrisons Song of Solomon also deals with psychology. To
understand its deeper meaning, the theory of psychology needs to be considered in
this study. Moreover, this study will review psychological aspect on its main
character, Milkman Dead. The psychological theory covers three theories. These
are theory of personality, theory of personality development, and theory of
16
personal identity.
a. Theory of Personality
Personality is a subject matter of psychology which is about one does,
thinks and feels as one goes about his or her everyday life. Each individual
personality is unique so that it makes an individual different with others. Mischel
(1981: 2) says, personality usually refers to the distinctive patterns of behavior
(including thought and emotions) that character each individuals adaptation to the
situation of his or her life. Not only is ones personality unique, but also it is
changeable, meaning that it changes overtime. Byrne and Kelley (1981: 87)
consider ones personality as a dynamic process for it can change throughout
ones life. Further, they state that personality change can occur when there is a
condition that leads to new emotional, informational, or imaginative responses
(1981: 533). The earliest years of life are important to form the basis for an adult
personality. However, there is no final personality. It is because later experiences
can modify the effects of the early experiences. Moreover, Byrne and Kelley
(1981: 523) point out that when and individual is faced to new facts, there may be
dramatic changes in the info-belief system, new experiences, and perhaps new
emotional responses and attitude as well.
According to Hurlock (1974: 19) an individuals personality pattern is the
product of learning during the course of social relationships with people both
within and outside his home. Furthermore, she describes that there are three major
factors, which determine the development of ones personality pattern. The first is
17
the individuals hereditary endowment, the second is early experiences within

ones family, and the third are important events outside ones home environment.
Thus, ones personality pattern is not product of learning exclusively or hereditary
exclusively. However, it comes from an interaction of the two. In other words,
behavior learned in childhood may later be changed by direct training or by
altering ones environment.
Sullivan (1981: 64), an American Psychiatrist, views personality as a
verbal and believes that human behavior is determined largely by interpersonal
interactions. This means that an individual will learn to behave as a result of
interactions with people. He states that personality is not set at early age because
it may change at any time as new interpersonal situations arise. Personality
manifests when the person interacts, do not need to be present but they can just
illusory or nonexistent figures. Sullivan (1981: 64) points out that ones habits,
dreams, hopes, fears, and other psychological processes are interpersonal in
character.
b. Theory of Personality Development

Hurlock (1974: 7) states in Personality Development, that personality can
change. The development can be done in the individuals physical and
psychological characteristics. And when the process of developing deals with the
patterning ones self concept, habits, attitudes, emotional, states, and motivates; it
becomes more complex.
Each persons personality changes and develops into more stable as many
18
experiences they have got. Mischel (1981: 4) states personality psychologists

study how people develop and change, as well as how they remain stable
throughout the course of life. People usually develop in constructive ways to
improve their lifes quality. Therefore, a change can be said as turning into better
or worse while develop tends to be turning into better. Additionally, Pikunas
(1976: 271) mention six factors and experiences appear in adolescence and alter
the personality as follows.
1. Acquisition of adult physique
2. Sexual maturation, accompanied by new drives and emotions
3. Greater self-awareness, resulting in a heightened desire for self- direction and
reevaluation of standards, goals and ideals.
4. The need companionship, with prime emphasis on heterosexual friendship
5. Treatment by parents and peers
6. Conflict arising from the adolescences personality development
Furthermore, Erikson as quoted in Mischels (1981: 55) claims that there
are two assumptions of development. First, human personality development
depend on the growing persons readiness to be driven forward, to be aware of,
and to interact with a widening social radius. Second, society tends to be so
constituted when it needs and invites this succession of potentialities for
interaction. The society also attempts to safeguard and to encourage the proper
rate and proper sequence of the enfolding. These assumptions are related with
how individuals have come to see themselves and their awareness of what other
people expect them to do.
19
c. Theory of Personal Identity

Since the major character starts to be aware of his personal identity in his
adolescence, it will be agreeable to use the two of Erik Eriksons psychological
theory of human life cycle. The two theories are adolescence and young
adulthood. In both theories, the writer of this paper even adds the suggestion of
Hjelle and Ziegler to complete Eriksons theory.
In Eriksons theory of adolescence, i.e. identity versus role confusion, it is
argued that adolescence is regarded as highly significant in the individuals
psychosocial development. No longer child but not yet an adult (roughly between
the age of 12 or 13 to about 20 in our society), the adolescent is confronted with
various social demands and role changes that are essential for meeting the
challenges of adulthood. Erikson theories that the new psychosocial dimension
which appears during adolescence has a sense of ego identity at the positive end
and a sense of role confusion at the negative end. The task confronting
adolescents is to consolidate all the knowledge they have gained about themselves
and integrate these various self-images into personal identity that shows
awareness of both a past and a future that follows logically from it. (Erikson,
1968: 56)
Erikson reveals three elements in the formation of an identity. First,
individual must perceive themselves as having inner sameness and continuity
i.e they must, over time, experience themselves essentially the same persons they
have been. Second, the person in ones social milieu must also perceive a
20
sameness and continuity in the individual. This means that adolescents need
confidence that the inner unity that they have developed earlier will be recognized
in others perception on them. Third, individuals must have accrued confidence
in the correspondence between the internal and external of continuity. It means
that their self-perceptions must be validated appropriate feedback from their
personal experiences. In so far as adolescents may be uncertain about both their
self-concepts and their social images, then feelings of doubt, confusion, and
apathy may counteract their emerging sense of identity. Therefore, the
development tasks of identity formation is readily recognized in the persistent
adolescent endeavor to define, over define, and redefine themselves and each
other in ruthless comparison, while a search for reliable alignments can be
recognized in the restless testing of the newest in the possibilities and the oldest
values (Erikson, 1968: 87).
Further, Erikson considers identity formation in the first place to be a
matter of reflexive imagery. In order to come to a clear self-definition,
adolescents, like anyone in the capacity of being self-reflecting agent, have to give
account of the multitude of self and role images that may apply to the own person.
Each new moment in life, each new setting, and each new perspective, conveys
yet another image of the person, so that construction of an integrated self-view,
corresponding with the status of having identity is anything but sinecure. Finally,
Erikson claims that foundation for a successful adolescence and the attainment of
an integrated identity is originated in early childhood. The failure of the young
person to develop a personal identity, because of the unfortunate childhood
21
experiences or present social circumstances, results in what Erikson called The

identity crisis. The crisis of identity, or role confusion is most of ten
characterized by an inability to select a career or pursue further education. Many
adolescents in the throes of this age specific experience a profound sense of
utility, personal disorganization, and aimlessness (Erikson, 1968: 96).
However, the failure to establish adequate personal identity does not
necessarily doom the adolescents to a life of perpetual defeat. Resolving problem
at one stage of life is no guarantee against their reappeareance at later stages or
against the discovery of new solutions to them. Ego identity is life long struggle.
As Erikson has pput it that it is often possible to overcome early handicaps i.e
inadequateness, or even late to achieve the feelings identity as well as intimacy
and integrity characteristics of effective adulthood (Hjelle and Ziegler, 1981: 124127).
And the second, the theory of Young Adulthood: Intimacy versus Isolation,
Erikson states that in this stage much of persons sexual behavior is motivated by
the search of ego identity. In contrast, the earlier attainment of a sense of a
personal identity and the involvement in productive work that marks this period
give rise to a new interpersonal dimension with intimacy cannot be attained unless
the person has already achieved a consolidated personal identity. When the
identity formation lags, even deep attachments and exuberant love are not likely
to produce stable long-term relationship needed in marital adjustment and family
life (Erikson, 1968: 121 ).
In other words, to be really intimate with another person or oneself, a
22
person must have already developed a firm sense of who and what she or he is. By
contrast, adolescent falling in love may be nothing more than an attempt to
explore ones own identity through the use of another person. Erikson sees that as
a result of the fact that many people, especially woman, marry someone in order
to find their own identity in and through that person. In this view, it is not possible
to attain intimacy by seeking for ones identity in this fashion (Hjelle and Ziegler,
1981: 128).
C. Theoretical Framework
The role of others on the finding of ones true self-identity gives the
opportunity to analyze the role of the secondary characters on the finding of the
major characters true self-identity in Song of Solomon. Therefore, theories of
character and characterization are used to answer the problems formulated in
Chapter I.
The theory of character and characterization is used to answer the first
question in the problem formulation about how the major character and secondary
character is described. The discussions of character from Abrams, Robert and
Jacob, and Rohberger and Woods help me to understand what the meaning of
character is. The types of character stated by Henkle, Forster, and Perrine help to
classify each character. The meaning of characterization by Abrams and
Rohrberger and Woods shows that there are ways to find out the type of character
inside a novel. The ways to create character based on characterization presented
by Murphy is used to help find their characterization.
23
The theory of psychology is used to give clearer description about role and
true self-identity. It is also used to answer the second problem formulation. The
theories of personality taken from Byrne and Kelley, Hurlock, Mischel, and
Sullivan are used as the basic of understanding in the character of Major
Character. Moreover, theories personality development taken from Hurlock,
Mischel and Pikunas are used as the next basic step of understanding in the major
character. And the theory of personal identity taken from Erikson, and Hjelle and
Ziegler is used as understanding that the true self-identity can be found by
knowing someones personal identity.
This thesis is using psychological approach. It is because the thesis is
analyzing the psychological aspects of the characters inside the novel. By using
the theory of character and characterization and theory of psychology, I can find
out
the
answer
of
the
first
and
second
problem
formulation.
24
CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
This chapter is divided into three parts, namely: the object of the study, the
approach of the study, and the method of study. The object the study concerns
with the focus of the study. The approach concerns with the approach used in this
thesis. The last one, the method of study, discusses the steps employed in
analyzing the problems formulation.
A. Object of Study
The object this study is Toni Morrisons Song of Solomon. The book was
written in 1977 and became the Best Seller in the United States. This book was
published by Alfred Knopf Inc., in 1977. It consists of 8 chapters of 337 pages. In
her third book, Morrison describes about the life of Milkman Dead, a Nigger. The
story begins when he lives in Michigan, United States and his life is dominated by
the materialism and the desire to be white of his father. With the role of his friend
and his aunt, in the last of story he can find his true self-identity and change
absolutely his lifestyle. I learn much about the life of Milkman Dead adulthood.
This book gives me the understanding and some information about Milkman Dead
who tries to find his personal identity as a negro.
B. Approach of The Study

According to Rohrberger and Woods, there are five approaches related to
25
the Theory of Critical Approaches (1971: 6-15). Those five approaches are the
Formalist Approach, the Biographical Approach, the Sociocultural-Historical
Approach, the Mythopoeic Approach, and the Psychological Approach. This last
approach is the one used in this thesis. The approach involves the effort to locate
and demonstrate certain recurrent patterns. In this approach, psychology theories
are used in analyzing the literary work. It emphasizes on human psychology and
believes that humans creativity, thought, behavior, and other psychological
aspects give a strong influence to the literary work.
Writer apply the Psychological approach because in this study writer am
going to find out the finding of true self-identity of Milkman Dead, starting form
the time he is in child to adolescence. Analyzing an individuals personal identity,
it is may deal with psychological aspect. It will be proper to apply this approach
because the better understanding of a humans identity can be achieved.
Moreover, personal identity is one of subjects of psychology. It patterns of
behavior, thought, and feeling. Psychological approach will help me to reveal the
issue of this study because it views a literary work based on psychological
interpretation.
According to Rohrberger and Woods (1971: p 13), psychological approach
is an approach to literature that involves the effort to locate and demonstrate
certain recurrent patterns and which refers to a different body of knowledge that
is psychology. It is applied when the intention is focused on psychological
interpretation for enhancing the understanding and appreciation of literature. In
applying this approach, psychological theories are generally used as the
26
interpretive tools.
C. Method of the Study

The method used in this study is library research. Writer conducted Sanata
Dharma University library to collect data relating to the object and the topic of the
study. Tom Morrisons Song of Solomon was the primary data. Besides, as the
secondary source writer also collected some books related to criticism of
Morrisons work to compile this thesis. As an additional knowledge to find the
biography of the author, writer did some surfing in the Internet as well.
The first step, writer had to understand the novels through read and re-read
the novel until writer got some ideas about its content. While reading, writer
focused the attention on the central character, Milkman Dead and took notes of
important description and proofs of her for the analysis. Beside, writer also paid
attention to the secondary characters and their roles on Milkman Deads personal
identity. After that, writer tried to find out what kind of problems would be
explores and discussed in this study. For the secondary data writer tried to collect
some criticisms from internet to add understanding and information about the
book and the author.
Then writer tried to find some books and information that were related to
the novel. As writer had written in chapter I and II, writer use some books, such
as, An Introduction to Personality, Aspects of The Novel, Reading the Novel: An
Introduction to The Techniques of Interpreting Fiction, Personality Development,
Development in Adulthood, Introduction to Personality, Understanding Unseens:
27
An Introduction to English Poetry and The English Novel for Overseas Students,
Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense, Human Development: An Emergent
Science, Fiction: An Introduction To Reading And Writing, Reading and Writing
about Literature, and Sullivan Theory of Personality help me in analyzing the
novels.
Thirdly, writer also searched and took data from encyclopedia and
computerized search. The computerized data was done to find out the data from
the internet especially about the author, her work and the criticism about her
works.
After making the analysis, writer found some points related to analysis in
order to draw conclusion of the thesis. Writer also gave some suggestions for the
readers and the next researcher so that they will analyze novel better.
CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS
In this chapter the writer will answer the problem formulations in the
previous chapter. Analysis will be divided into two sections. First, analysis will be
focused on the description of secondary characters and the major character. In this
part, the writer will find out the characterization of Pilate, Guitar, Macon Dead
and Milkman as presented in the novel to find the role of the secondary characters
and then the writer will prove that the secondary characters support the finding of
the personal identity of the major character; Milkman Dead. Here the writer will
apply the theory of character and characterization. Second, analysis will be
continued by investigating the role of secondary characters in the finding of major
characters personal identity. To discover the role of secondary characters in the
finding of major characters persoanal identity, it needs the description of
secondary characters and the major character. Then, after the writer obtain the
information above, the writer would like to relate the characteristics of the
secondary character and the role and finally state what the changing brought by
the secondary characters toward the finding of major characters personal selfidentity.
A. The Description of the Secondary Characters and the Major Character

The first problem formulation as mentioned in chapter one is to find out
the characters description in the novel. The writer will use the nine ways which
are presented by Murphy (1972: 161-173) and parts of the theory of psychology
31
29
as discussed in chapter II to make the characters understandable. The writer use

Murphys theories to describe the characters through personal description, by
using some points such as: characters as seen by another, speech, past life,
conversation of others, reactions, direct comments, thought, and mannerisms. To
support the theories, the writer also cites some quotations which are taken from
the novel, and then gives some explanations. Firstly, characters that will be
mentioned are the secondary characters and followed by the major character.
There is one central character, and three secondary characters in the novel.
The central character is Milkman Dead, while the secondary characters are Pilate
Dead (Milkmans aunt), Guitar Bains (Milkmans best friend) and Macon Dead
(Milkmans father). The following are descriptions of some characters or person
in novel such as their traits, attitude and black man (negro) identity, which become
the focus to analyze such as Milkman, Pilate, Guitar and Macon Dead. The writer
does not mention the other characters descriptions because they dont really have
an important role in the finding of the personal identity of the major character.
1.
Pilate Dead
Pilate is a good Negro woman. Although her economic condition is weak
and poor but she still cares of others, independent, happy and has a selfconfident. Pilates caring and happy be a good lesson for Milkmans life. Milkman
realizes that Pilates is a good woman who has a happy and freedom family and
teaches him an important thing into his life. It is very different from his family.
The following quotation supports the statements above:
30
.he was sitting comfortably in the notorious wine house; he was

surrounded by women who seemed to enjoy him and who laughed out
loud. And he was in love. No wonder his father was afraid of them. (p.
47)
a. Caring
Pilate is Milkmans aunt who cares to others. It can be seen in the
following to prove of her care. Pilate Dead is a single parent who has one
granddaughter from her only daughter. She is a person who likes to help anyone
regardless of their status. Moreover, she helps a woman who needs a help even
more then self-interest.
Macon Dead remember when his son was born, how she seemed to be
more interested in this first nephew of hers than she was in her own
daughter, and even that daughters daughter. (p. 19)
.and more important, he would have known not to fool with
anything that belonged to Pilate, who never bothered anybody, was
helpful to everybody,(p. 94)
Pilate even takes care of other, especially Ruth. She helps to take care of
Ruths baby and loves her nephew. She seems to be more interest and continue to
visit Ruths house and sing for the baby. She loves that baby who will be killed by
Macon Dead or Milkmans father when Ruth was pregnant, before Milkman born.
Now she was acting like in-law, like an aunt, dabbling at helping
Ruth and the girls, but having no interest in or knowledge of decent
housekeeping, she got in the way. Finally she just sat in a chair near
the crib, singing to the baby. (p. 20)
Pilate comforted Ruth, gave her peach, which Ruth could not eat
because the fuzz made her sick. She listened to what Ruth said and
sent Reba to the store for a box of Argo cornstarch. She sprinkled a
little of it into her hand and offered it to Ruth, who obediently took a
lump and put it in her mouth. (p.31)
31
The quotation above shows that Pilate saves Milkmans mother and
Milkman to avoid Macons cruelty who wants to kill Milkman. Macon feels that
Milkman and Ruths father take Ruths attention from him. Pilates help can also
be seen in the following Ruths speech to Milkman:
I knew he never told you that he killed my father and that he tried to
kill you. Because both of you took my attention away from him. I
know he never told you that. And he never told you that he threw my
fathers medicine away, but it is true.
And I couldnt save my father. Macon took away his medicine and I
just didnt know it, and I wouldnt have been able to save you except
for Pilate. Pilate was the one brought you here in the first place. (p.
124)
Pilates help also can be seen in the other Ruth speech to
Milkman as follows:
When he found out about it, he immediately suspected Pilate and he
told me to get rid of the baby. But I wouldnt and Pilate helped me
stand him off. I wouldnt have been strong enough without her. She
saved my life. And yours, Macon. She saves yours too. She watched
you like you were her own. Until your father threw her out. (p. 126)
Although his brother dislikes her, she is a forgiving person regardless of

their mistake. From the quotation above, it is known that Pilate Dead concerns
about the birth of her nephew. Her character that cares about others influences
Milkman. He realized that Pilates caring makes him know about kindness for
others. In his life, he has found only very few examples of kindness that he can
learn for. His life is controlled by his father who is full of malice.
According to her nephew, Pilate is a woman who always makes him
happy. He likes her song which is always sung or even with stories which is talked
by her. It is aware, when he is saved by Pilate in police office. In the redemption,
32
he forgives about his guilty to Pilate and makes him believe that she is a person
who makes his life better.
, this old black lady- in her late sixties, but with the skin and agility
of a teen-aged girl-had brought him into the world when only a
miracle could have. It was this woman, whom he would have knocked
senseless, who shuffled into the police station and did a little number
for the cops-opening herself up wide for their amusement, their pity,
their scorn, their mockery, their disbelief, their meanness, their
whimsy, their annoyance, their power, their anger, their boredomwhatever would be useful to her and to himself. (p. 210)
As a grandmother she will do anything to make her granddaughter happy.

It can be seen in how she does anything to make her granddaughter calm. She
makes her granddaughter calm with her words. When the granddaughter is
desperate with Milkman, Pilate makes her believe that Milkman still loving her
beauty.
How can he not love your hair? Its the same hair that grows out of
his own armpits. The same hair that crawls up out his crotch on up his
stomach. All over his chest. The very same. It grows out of his nose,
over his lips, and if he ever lost his razor it would grow all over his
face. Its all over his head, Hagar. Its his hair too. He got to love it.
(p. 315)
Pilate is a woman who loves her family so much. She can do anything to
make her family happy. She does not like anyone who tries to make her family
hurt, moreover because of a man. She is a fearless mother who always defends her
family from the contumely of a man. It can be seen from her reaction when her
daughter is hurt by the hitting of a man. She positioned knife at the edge of the
mans heart
Now, Im not going to kill you, honey. Dont you worry none. Just be
still a minute, the hearts right here, but Im not going to stick it in any
33
deeper. Cause if I stick it in any deeper, itll go straight through your

heart. So you have to be real still, you hear? You cant move a inch
cause I might lose control. Its just a little hole now, honey, no moren
a pin scratch. You might lose about two tablespoons of blood, but no
more. And if youre real still, honey, I can get it back out without no
mistake. But before I do that, I thought wed have little talk. (p.93-94)
It can be assumed that beside her care toward her daughter, she is well
known for her concern to other people as well. She is famous by helping other
people who needs her help. She becomes the outpouring of woman who is harmed
their husband. Because of it, she becomes the outpouring of Milkmans mother,
Ruth, when she is harmed by her husband who is actually Pilates brother. Pilate
always cares about everyone. She always cares about her daughter, family,
nephew and also sister in-law. She helps everyone who needs her help. Her
character makes Milkman know the importance of family. Pilates love for him is
as his mothers love. Its warm-hearted and honest. Milkman feels comfort with
Pilate.
b. Independent
Pilates independence can be seen in the novel. The following evidence
will show her independence. She is an independent woman who lives with her
daughter and her granddaughter. She supports her financial with making wine. It
can be shown in the following quotation:
.Could get a real job instead of running a wine house.
.A collection of lunatics who made wine and sang in the streets
like common street women! Just like common street women!(p. 20)
The quotation above shows Pilate who works to get money for her family
as a single parent. It can be assumed that she supports herself financially by
34
making wine. Since she is left by her husband, economically she gets money by
selling wine with her daughter and granddaughter. Because of her poor economic
condition, she has to survive by making wine as her real job. Her poor economic
condition can be seen in her house condition. She lives in a narrow house whose
basement seems to be rising rather than settling into the ground. Although there is
no man in her life, she is independent women with her family. They do their
homework that some should be done by man.
She had no electricity because she would not pay for the service. Not
for gas. At night she and her daughter lit the house with candles and
kerosene lamps; they warmed themselves and cooked with wood and
coal, pumped kitchen water into a dry sink through a pipeline from a
well and lived pretty much as though progress was a word that meant
walking a little farther on down the road. (p. 27)
The economic condition of Pilate can be seen in her house. The house is
not good enough to be stayed. It is cluttered and there are many candles to be the
light in her house. The following quotation shows Pilates house condition.
Well. Step right in. She opened the door and they followed her
into a large sunny room that looked both barren and cluttered. A mossgreen sack hung from the ceiling. Candles were stuck in bottles
everywhere; newspaper articles and magazine pictures were nailed to
the walls. But other than a rocking chair, two straight-backed chairs, a
large table, a sink and stove, there was no furniture. (p. 39)
Although she has weak economic conditions, it does not make her weak to
treat her daughter and granddaughter. She gives priority to the togetherness of
them. In simplicity of her life, she does not make her life as difficult as other
people try to imagine.
They were singing some melody that Pilate was leading. A phrase that
the other two were taking up and building on. Her powerful contralto,
Rebas piercing soprano in counterpoint, and the soft voice of the girl,
Hagar, who must be about ten or eleven now (p. 29)
35
The quotation above shows Pilates way in creating her family full of
happiness although she has no enough money, poor and weak economic condition.
Her economic condition is different than Milkman Dead, but she can survive with
her family and her independence can give impact to Milkman. It can be said that
he lives in a luxurious life, everything is ready and easy to get in his life but he has
no independent character. Pilates independence has an impact to Milkman. He
learns his aunt life which makes him know about the real life in his environment.
A good economic condition can not guaranty people live better and happily.
..He felt like a garbage pail for the actions and hatreds of other
people. He himself did nothing. Except for the one time he had hit his
father, he had never acted independently, and that act, his only one,
had brought unwanted knowledge(p.120)
c. Happy
Pilate is one of the characters in the novel who is always happy. She lives
in happiness. There are no conflicts in her house except the trivial. They always
sing a song to make their lives full of happiness.
The following quotation also shows their family who live with happiness
although they are poor. They always sing together. They spend their rest time in
singing. In the night, she and her family try to enjoy and entertain themselves by
singing. The following quotations show Pilates happy life.
They were singing some melody that Pilate was leading. A phrase that
the other two were taking up and building on. Her powerful contralto,
Rebas piercing soprano in counterpoint, and the soft voice of the girl,
Hagar, who must be about ten or eleven now (p. 29)
They hummed together in perfect harmony until Pilate took the lead:
36
O Sugarman dont leave me here

Cotton balls to choke me
O Sugarman dont leave me here
Buckras arms to yoke me.
When the two women got the chorus, Hagar raised her head and sang
too.
Sugarman done fly away
Sugarman done gone
Sugarman cut across the sky
Sugarman gone home. (p. 49)
The quotation above shows Pilates family in making the house is full of
beautiful song. They always sing the song every night. This song is one way to
reveal Milkmans identity later. This song creates happy atmosphere in Pilates
family. It can be said that although they have a difficult life but they are always
happy. It is different from Milkmans family life that is not happy. It also gives an
impact to Milkman. He can learn one thing in his life that whatever his difficulties
in life such might be as economic condition or other suppression, but he should
move toward in the future. Life must be full of happiness like Pilates.
Milkman could hardly breathe.when he thought he was going to
faint from the weight of what he was feeling, he risked a glance at his
friend and saw the setting sun gilding Guitars eyes, putting into
shadow a slow smile of recognition. (p. 49)
d. Self-Confident
Pilate is a woman who was born without a navel. Because of it, in the
young she sometime feels less confident toward a man who tries to approach her.
It can be said that in her young, she feels lack of confidence because of she has no
navel. At the first time, she does not know if every human being has a navel. She
37
is told about the navel when she was work in her young, it was told by a negro
woman. Since the story of her navel, she had a lack of confidence. She tried to
hide her stomach to any man. Until she was pregnant her baby, she didnt want her
stomach was looked by any man. So, she didnt not want marry again. It can be
seen in her quotation below:
Pilate refused to marry the man, who was eager to take her for his
wife. Pilate was afraid that she wouldnt be able to hide her stomach
from a husband forever. And once he saw that uninterrupted flesh..(p.
147)
It can be said that Pilate has no self-confident at the first time. Because of
her navel, she has lack of confidence. She feels that she is different than others
who have a navel. It looks like a perfect person who has a navel. Her selfconfident appears when she has a baby. She believes that her weakness becomes as
her uniqueness. She receives her weakness as a normal person. Milkman gets an
impact of Pilates character. Milkman realizes that he must receive his condition
such as his weakness such as his physical appearance. Milkman has an abnormal
physique, he is polio. The quotation below shows his physical appearance.
By the time Milkman was fourteen he had noticed that one of his legs
was shorter than the other. When he stood barefoot and straight as a
pole, his left foot was about half an inch off the floor. So he never
stood straight; he slouched or leaned or stood with a hip thrown out,
and he never told anybody about it-ever. (p. 62)
Pilates character affects him to be a confidence boy. Pilate self-confident
becomes a new lesson of life for Milkman. When he was fourteen, he hides his
polio with his style. It can not make him to be weakness but his excess. His
confidence of his polio makes him different with other people. Although it
sometimes bothers him, it can be seen in the following quotation.
38
It bothered him and he acquired movements and habits to disguise

what to him was a burning defect. He sat with his ankle on his right
knee, never the other way around. And he danced each new dance
with a curious stiff-legged step and that the girls loved and other boys
eventually copied. The deformity was mostly in his mind. Mostly but
not completely, for he did have shooting pains in that leg after several
hours on a basketball court. He favored it, believed was polio, and felt
secretly connected to the late president Roosevelt for that reason. (p.
62)
After her daughter is born, Pilates lack of confidence slowly disappears.

She does not care anymore about the gossip spread by people in the village. She
tries to renew herself; she makes her weakness to be her uniqueness. The
quotation below proves this statement:
Finally Pilate began to take offense. Although she was hampered by
huge ignorance, but not in any way unintelligent, when she realized
what her situation in the world was and would probably always be she
threw away every assumption she had learned and began at zero. First
off, she cut her hair. That was one thing she didnt want to have to
think about anymore. Then she tackled the problem of trying to decide
how she wanted to live and what was valuable of her. (p. 149)
But since she is an adult and has a child, gradually the feeling of less
confident is lost. She grows up to be a good mother, although she does not have
money. She still looks pretty naturally with improvised performances. Everybody
who looks her in the first sight will interest with her performance, even her body
or her style is a grandmother. Her physical appearance can be seen in the
following quotation:
And while she looked as poor as everyone said she was, something
was missing from her eyes that should have confirmed it. Nor was she
dirty; unkempt, yes, but not dirty. The whites of her fingernails were
like ivory. And unless he knew absolutely nothing, this woman was
definitely not drunk. Of course she was anything but pretty, yet he
knew he could have watched her all day: the fingers pulling thread
veins from the orange sections, the berry-black lips that made her look
39
as though she wore make-up, the earring. And when she stood up,
he all but gasped. She was as tall as his father, head and shoulders
taller than himself. Her dress wasnt as long as he had unlaced mens
shoes and the silvery-brown skin of her ankles. (p. 38)
It can be assumed that Pilates weakness which makes her less of
confidence also can be seen in Milkman. This influences him to be strong as other
normal person because of Milkmans different physically which is polio. That is
the same as Pilate physical appearance who has no navel but tries to be confident.
It can be assumed that the weakness becomes the excess. It can be a good
understanding for Milkman. It makes him to receive his physically condition and
has self-confident like his aunt Pilate.
the strut of a very young man trying to appear more sophisticated
than he was. It bothered him and he acquired movements and habits to
disguise what to him was a burning defect. He sat with his left ankle
on his right knee, never the other way around. And he danced each
new dance with a curious stiff-legged step that the girls loved and
other boys eventually copied. (p. 62)
2. Guitar Bains
Guitar is Milkmans best friend. He likes to give not only well-informed to
Milkman, funny but also fanatic person. He is a racist Negro. He dislikes white
people because of his past experience with his family and he considers killing
white people to satisfy himself. His acts considers to revenge. The following
quotation shows how he dislikes white people:
I dont know. It makes me think of dead people. And white people.
And I start to puke.
40
a. Well - Informed
Guitar Bains is Milkman Deads best friends who older than Milkman. He
is a Negro who can make other people are happy. As well as his treatment toward
his best friend, Milkman, he is the only one who can make him feels better in any
condition. It can be seen in the Milkmans sensitiveness about his name. Guitar is
the only person who can make it nice.
Even while he was screaming he wondered why he was suddenly so
defensive-possessive about his name. He had always hated that name,
all of it, and until he and Guitar became friends, he had hated his
nickname too. But in Guitars mouth it sounded clever, grown up. (p.
38)
Guitar is a person who always listen Milkmans problem and try to be a
good listener for Milkman and well-informed. It can be seen in Milkmans speech
with him in the following quotation
The point is that she wanted to put those bulbs in. She didnt have to.
She likes to plant flowers. She really likes it. But you should have
seen her face. She looked like the unhappiest woman in the world.
The most miserable. So where is the fun? Ive never in my whole life
heard my mother laugh. She smile sometimes, even makes a little
sound. But I dont believe she has ever laughed out loud. (p. 104)
Besides, he is a brave Negro and reckless but it is different by his behavior
toward his best friend. Milkman as his best friend is to be both of best friends and
brother. He is good in make someone laugh, especially his best friend, and can be
a brother of his best friend. He really cares about what happened in his Milkmans
family and his trouble. He fix the problem becomes a funny thing, and make the
others who have the problem really forget about it. It can be seen in his words to
make his best friend, Milkman, to be calm when he has a problem with his father.
Milkman hits his father to defend his mother; in his confusion he finds the
41
solution through Guitar.

Listen, baby, people do funny things. Specially us. The cards are
stacked against us and just trying to stay in the game, stay alive and in
the game, makes us do funny things. Things we cant help. Things that
make us hurt one another. We dont even know why. But look here,
dont carry it inside and dont give it to nobody else. Try to understand
it, but if you cant, just forget it and keep yourself strong, man. (p.
87-88)
Guitar advice that considers into well-informed for Milkman can be seen
in the following quotation:
.Guitar looked him in the eyes and said, Why didnt you go to help
her?
What?
Help her. Pull her out from underneath.
.It was your mother too. (p. 105)
Guitars character, who always becomes a good listener for Milkman,
makes Milkman feels that he has a best friend in his life. He feels that his
problems of life can be shared with his friend and makes him comfort. He also
feels that his best friend always gives him information which opens his mind
about a lot of things.
You got it! You are a very smart little colored boy. And I am going to
tell Oxford University about you.
And you wish hed kept it to himself because it dont concern you
and you cant do nothing about it anyway.
You have just passed the course, Guitar Bains, Ph. D.
But it bothers you just the same?
Let me think. Milkman closed his eyed and cried to prop his chin on
his hand, but it was difficult. He was trying to get as drunk as possible
as rapidly as possible. (p.89)
b. Fanatic
As a poor nigger, Guitar becomes a fanatic person. He usually socializes
with other poor negro where their daily life is wasted in the street. In his
42
socialization he gets some information about negro, the way of negro life, or the
conflict which is confronted by them. He always gets the updated-information
about negro in his daily life and follows the growing of them. It can be seen by
her reaction in Hagar saying when she won the contest in which the contest was
not only followed by negro but also white people.
Guitar was astonished. I remember that contest, but I dont remember
hearing nothing bout no colored person winning it. Guitar, a habitual
street roamer, believed he knew every public thing going in the city.
(p. 48)
It can be assumed that as a negro who fanatic with the niggers culture,
lives, or even the style, Guitars life dedicates to negro life. He dislikes white
people because of his family problem in the past. His fanatic of negro influences
Milkman. Milkman disagrees with seven day member. Guitar fanaticism
influences Milkman to aware later that Guitar may kill negro.
In his deepest heart, Guitar as a fanatic nigger can not accept the rash
action of white people toward color people. As long as he alive, he often sees
some terrible things which is done by white people and make him bored and he
must to do something that useful and contribute with the incident. The action
which is taken by him is making the similarity between the anguish that is felt by
color people with white people. It can be seen when he tells his depressing to
Milkman. His obsession makes him to do a reckless act. The following quotation
proves it:
I cant suck my teeth or say Eh, eh, eh. I had to do something. And
the only thing left to do is balance it; keep things on an even kneel.
Any man, any woman, or any child is good for five to seven
generations of heirs before theyre bred out. So every death is the
death of five to seven generations. You cant stop them from killing
43
us, from trying to get rid of us. And each time they succeed, they get
rid of five to seven generations. I help keep the numbers the same.
(p. 154)
If something that relate with white people, he is a man who can not be
tolerate. His hate is too deepest and makes revenge. He becomes a member of
white people-killer which their main activity to revenge color people to white
people. Although, he has been suggested by his friend, Milkman, that is not every
white people always make color people suffer. He is still in his opinion. He said
that white people is unnatural. As a race they are unnatural.
I dont know about the women. I cant say what their women would
do, but I do remember that picture of those white mothers holding up
their babies so they could get a good look at some black men burning
on a tree. So I have my suspicions about Eleanor Roosevelt. But none
about Mr. Roosevelt. You couldve taken him and his wheelchair and
put him in a small dusty town in Alabama and given him some
tobacco, a checkerboard, some whiskey, and a rope and hed have
done it too. What Is saying is, under certain conditions they would all
do it. And under the circumstances we would not. So it doesnt matter
that some of them havent done it. I listen. I read. And now I know
that they know it too. They know they are unnatural. Their writers and
artists have been saying it for years. Telling them they are unnatural,
telling them they are depraved. They call it tragedy. In the movies
they call it adventure. Its just depravity that they try to make glorious,
natural. But it aint. The disease they have is in their blood, in the
structure of their chromosome. (p. 157)
His obsession makes him unrealistic even that can be understood by him or
others. His life destiny which is fixed by him makes him to be more a brave man
than before, it can be said reckless. He does not care about his life anymore or his
people around him. Making the destiny to make white people suffer is his main
destination. He believes that even he was died or caught; the revenge will be
followed by his generation or his friend. He releases his life for the destination,
whether people think that it is realistic or not.
44
Maybe. But if Im caught Ill just die earlier than Im supposed tonot better than Im supposed to. And how I die or when doesnt
interest me. What I die for does. Its the same as what I live for.
Besides, if Im caught theyll accuse me and kill me for one crime,
maybe two, never for all. And there are still six other days in the
week. Weve been around for a long time. And believe me; well be
round a long time to come. (p. 159)
Since his father was dead, Guitar, his brother and sister were taken by his
uncle. With his uncle, he and his relative avoid to be a vagrant. Although he was
raised in the poor family, he still have a dream to make his lovely people were
happy. It can be seen by his fantasies when he and Milkman try to steal the gold of
Pilate.
Guitar, eschewing his recent asceticism, allowed himself the pleasure
of waking up old dreams: what he would buy for his grandmother and
her brother, Uncle Billy, the one who had come up from Florida to
help raise them all after his father died; the marker he would buy for
his fathers grave, pink with lilies carved on it; the stuff for his
brother and sisters, and his sisters children. (p. 179)
The obsession of Guitar shows that white people consider to the anguish of
negros is something which is usual happened. Guitar has a traumatic toward
sugar which is actually as a symbol that remembering him to white people who
always fun with an anguish of negro. In the example is the anguish of his father
who works to white people. The anguish makes him dead. He hates something
which smells white people. He hates a suppression of white people toward negro
which often he hears from the other negro. It makes him hates sugar which
remembering him to white people, his fathers boss who makes him suffer until he
was dead.
Since I was little. Since my father got sliced up in a sawmill and his
boss come by and gave us kids some candy. Divinity. A big sack of
divinity. His wife made it special for us. Its sweet, divinity is.
45
Sweeter than syrup. Real sweet. Sweeter than (p.61)

Since he grows up in the place where almost all of the people live in wild
condition, Guitar grows to be a brave and never scared anything that usually
people fear. The character of his fearless grows since he used to hunt. With his
talent in hunting, he regards himself is a natural hunter and reckless. The
statement can be seen in the following quotation.
Listen to me. I used to hunt a lot. From the time I could walk almost
and I was good at it. Everybody said I was natural. And I was never
scared- not of the dark or shadows or funny sounds, and I was never
afraid to kill. Anything. Rabbit, bird, snakes, squirrels, deer. And I was
little. It never bothered me. Id take a shot anything. The grown men
used to laugh about it. Said I was a natural-born hunter." (p. 85)
Besides he has a dream having a lot of money, but he hates money too. It is
caused by his bad experience about money and his father. When his father suffers,
white people try to pay it with money. But unfortunately, his mother accepts this
gladly. It makes him traumatic with money but need it also. In other side he even
feels the bad experience with woman.
Even so, his mother had smiled and shown that willingness to love the
man who was responsible for dividing his father up throughout
eternity. It wasnt the divinity from the foremans wife that made hi,
sick. That came later. It was fact that instead of life insurance, the
sawmill owner gave his mother forty dollars to tide you and them
kids over, and she took it happily and bought each of them a big
peppermint stick on the very day of the funeral. Guitars two sisters
and baby brother sucked away at the bone-white and blood-red stick,
but Guitar couldnt. He held it in his hand until it stuck there. All day
he held it. At the graveside, at the funeral supper, all the sleepless
night. The others made fun of what they believed was his miserliness,
but he could not eat it or throw it away, until finally, in the outhouse,
he let it fall into the earths stinking hole. (p. 225)
46
3. Macon Dead
Macon is a cruel and materialist Negro. He is full of hostility in his life. He
dislikes and does not care his wife. The following quotation shows his dislike
toward his wife:
Solid, rumbling, likely to erupt without prior notice, Macon kept each
member of his family awkward with fear. His hatred of his wife
glittered and sparked in every word he spoke to her. (p. 10)
Besides, Ruth, as his wife, Macon also dislikes Pilates who is his sister.
His dislike for Pilates is more than he dislike Ruth.
And the one person who dared to but didnt care to was the one person
in the world he hated more than his wife in spite of the fact that she
was his sister. He had not crossed the tracks to see hr since his son
was born and he had no intention of renewing their relationship now.
(p. 17)
The following are Macons character which will describe as a bad father
and a bad husband in Macons house. His character considers as a protagonist in
this novel and should not be followed by Milkman.
a. Oppressive
Macon Dead is Milkmans father who gives oppression to Milkman into
his family. He always asks Milkman to be like him in every way. He needs
Milkman to be a good person as he needed. He controls Milkman in his way.
Macons oppression can be seen in the following quotation:
Boy, you got thinks to do with your time. Besides, its time you
started learning how to work. You start Monday. After school come to
my office; work a couple of hour there and learn whats real (1977:
55).
The quotation above shows Macons oppression to Milkman. He needs
47
Milkman to work to be like him and it also is used to separate Milkman and his
aunt, Pilate. He does not like Milkmans relationship with Pilate. He forces
Milkman does not visit her house anymore. The following quotation also shows
Macon who dislike Pilates relationship with his son, Milkman.
Pilate cant teach you a thing you can use in this world. Maybe the
next, but not this oneLet me tell you right now the one important
thing youll ever need to know. (1977: 55).
The following quotation also supports the statement above that Macon
Dead dislike Pilate.
Just listen to what I say. That womans no good. Shes a snake, and
can charm you like a snake, but still a snake: (1977: 54)
Macon statements above shows that he has a control to Milkmans life.
Everything must be followed by Milkman. He makes a role to Milkman. Macons
act gives the effect to Milkmans life. Milkman feels that he can not stand by
himself. His life is controlled by his father. He feels trapped in this condition. The
conditions are between the son who must obey his father and a condition of a
nephew who respects his aunt. It is confused Milkman.
I know Im the youngest one in this family, but I aint no baby. You
treat me like I was a baby. You keep saying you dont have to explain
nothing to me. How do you think that makes me feel? Like a baby,
thats what. Like a twelve-year-old baby! (p. 50)
b. Materialistic
Macon Dead is also a person who is blinded by money. He is a materialist
Negro. It can be seen in the following quotation:
To lift the lions paw knocker, to entertain thoughts of marrying the
doctors daughter was possible because each key represented a house
which he owned at the time (p. 22)
48
Besides, the following quotation also shows how materialist Macon is, he
loves money:
Macon hoarded his money; Milkman gave his away. But he couldnt
help sharing with Macon his love of good shoes and fine thin
socks(p. 63)
He believes that Pilate steals the gold. He persuades Milkman to steal the
gold in Pilates house. Unfortunately, he is wrong. Pilate does not steal the gold.
The sack is full of bones. Macons pleading attitude by asking Milkman to get the
gold emphasizes his obsession with wealth.
She told you it was her inheritance, huh: Macon was smiling, but so
craftily that Milkman could hardly recognize it as a smile.
No. She didnt; Hagar did. I was walking across the room toward
theuhtoward the other side and Im tall enough for it to be in my
way.
Go on now, Do what I say. Go on Macon.. (1977:164)
The quotation above shows Macon desires on Pilates gold. He has desire
on gold equal with his desire on money. That is why he likes to give an order to
Milkman. Try to make Milkman always follows his way. Macons order to steal
the gold influences Milkman. He realizes that there is no gold. He realizes that his
father is wrong and he is guilty. Because of his fathers order, he hurts his aunt.
Pilate releases Milkman from the jail and it influences him. He now believes Pilate
does not like his father description. That is time; he changes to oppose his father.
Shes still a bitch? Milkman began to chuckle. Exhaustion and the
slow release of tension made him giddy. you thought she stole it. All
these yearsall these years you have been holding that against her.
He was laughing out right now. how she sneaked out of some cave
with a big bag of gold that must have weighed a hundred pounds over
her shoulder, all over the country for fifty years and didnt spend none
of it, just hung it from the ceiling.. (p. 204)
49
c. Control
Macon Dead always gives the rule for Milkman. He likes control milkman
although he is not a child anymore. But he still controls Milkmans behavior.
and you are my own son. And you will do what I tell you
to do. With or without explanations, as long as your feet are
under my table, youll do in this house what you are told
(1977:50).
The quotation above shows how strange Macon is. His character who
always controls every one in his house especially Milkman, leads Milkman to be a
person who does not have independent character. It influences Milkmans life.
Milkman grows to be a man who does not have his own decision, opinion. It can
be seen in the quotation below
..Daddy wants me to be like him and hate my mother (p.
222).
Another proves can be seen in the following quotation:
If he had to spend the rest of his life thinking about rents and
property, hed lose his mind. But he was going to spend the rest of his
life doing just that, wasnt he? Thats what his father assumed and he
supposed that was that he had assumed as well (p. 107)
d. Cruel
Macon is also a cruel person. He can not control his emotion who he has a
conflict with Ruth, his wife. He has full of emotion in his life. Most of the
conflicts in the novel are caused by Macons act. He always hurts Ruth. He does
not care with Ruth. It can be said in the following quotation:
Macon, please dont use that language in front of the children
What goddam children? Everybody in here is old enough to vote
There is no call for an argument
50
You make a fool of yourself in a catholic church, embarrass

everybody at the perception,..
Macon..
Macon didnt want to put his fork down. He dropped it on the table
while his hand was on its way across the bread plate becoming the
first he smashed into her jaw.
Macon hit her,.she searched with her tongue for any broken teeth
(1977:67).
Macons attitude influences Milkman who respects at first with his father.
Then he becomes a person who fights with his father. He changes to respect with
his mother. He realizes that his fathers cruelty must be stopped. He begs his
mother and saves her by Macons cruelty. He changes to be respect with woman
especially his mother.
Macons cruelty can be seen in his act before, when he tries to kill
Milkman when he was a baby. Ruth was helped by Pilate in this situation. He is
the only person in Milkman family who always makes trouble in his family. It can
be seen in Milkmans mother experience when she was pregnant. His father didnt
respect his mothers condition and wanted to kill him. The following quotation
shows Macons cruelty when he wanted to kill Milkman (when he was a baby) and
his act to kill Ruths father:
I knew he never told you that he killed my father and that he tried to
kill you. Because both of you took my attention away from him. I
know he never told you that. And he never told you that he threw my
fathers medicine away, but it is true (p. 124)
It can be assumed that based on the quotation above Macons character can
be known. His effort to kill Milkman and Ruth father shows how cruelty Macon
is. Macons cruelty influences Milkman which makes him more respect to his
mother. As the first of this story, Milkman is not close enough with his mother.
51
This time leads him into a person who more respect and care with his mother.
Hello, mama, he said. He tried to make his voice sound as coolly
cruel as he felt; just as he tried to frighten her by stepping out
suddenly from behind the tree.
He succeeded. She stumbled in alarm and took a great gulp of air into
her mouth.
Macon! is that you? You are here? Oh my goodness. I.
She tried desperately to normalize the situation, smiling wanly and
blinking her eyes, searching for words and manners and civilization.
(p. 123)
You nursed me.
yes.
until I was old. Too old.
Ruth turned toward her son. She lifted her head and looked deep into
his eyes. and I also prayed for you. Every single night and every
single day. On my knees. Now you tell me. What harm did I do you
on my knees? (p. 126)
4. Milkman Dead
Milkman is Macons son. He follows his fathers way at first. That thing
makes him to be an arrogant although he is friendly. Besides, he has respect for
other people. Milkman is a negro man who is confused with his identity. He wants
to know his identity that is why he looks for his true identity through the
background of his family. It is caused by his willingness to be a good negro. It can
be said that before Milkman knows his identity, he can not choose to be what a
kind of negro he is; therefore he wants to know the background of his past family
first.
a. Arrogant
Milkman Dead is the major character of the novel. He is the son of Macon
52
Dead. Macon Dead is known for his wealth and his business in which some
people consider that his wealthy because of his married with the daughter of the
Doctor who is very famous in the town. Because of his wealthy life, Milkman
grows to be an arrogant child. He knows that his family is rich. In other words, a
Negro family who has many things that different than other negro who live in
weak economic condition. Milkmans economic condition can be seen in the
the doctors big dark house of twelve rooms and the green
sedan..(p. 9)
Milkman knows how rich his family is. It makes his rich negro identity is
well known in the city. The following quotation shows it:
To the part of Not Doctor Street (it was still a Doctor Street then) and
approach the most important Negro in the city. (p. 22)
He does not have polite behavior that is taught in the color people culture.
It can be assumed that his fathers character can be seen in his character too. He is
an arrogant character.
He lives with his fathers rule; therefore he adopts his fathers character.
Milkmans arrogance can be seen in his first meeting with Pilate. It can be proved
in the following quotation:
Shame had flooded him. He had expected to feel it, but not that kind;
to be embarrassed, yes, but not that way. She was the one who was
ugly, dirty, poor and drunk. The queer aunt whom his six-grade
schoolmates teased him about and whom he hated because he felt
personally responsible for her ugliness, her poverty, her dirt, and her
wine. (p. 37-38)
But later his arrogance will be gone after he has a close relation with Pilate
who gives him many lessons about life, love, and respect. For his expression, it
53
can be seen how he is ashamed by his aunt and even hates his aunts appearance.
At first, his aunts performance which is different from him makes him feel that he
is higher class than her aunt. He evaluates someones social status by physical
appearance.
b. Friendly
Milkman is also a person who is friendly; he is different from his father.
His father is cruel, rash and arrogant. He has a lot of experience in socializing
with the others. His skill in socializing makes him have many friends. It is very
different with his father who is famous with his arrogance, he only focus in
business and he is not really friendly with anyone. Because of the differentiation,
he often disobeys his father rule which is determined by his father. Such as go to
his aunts home. It can be seen in the following quotation:
Life improved for Milkman enormously after he began working for
Macon. Contrary to what his father hoped, there was more time to
visit the wine house. Running errands for Macons rent houses gave
him leave to be in Southside and get to know the people Guitar knew
so well. Milkman was young and he was friendly just the opposite
of his father (p. 56)
As a boy Milkman hates his nickname, Dead, his nickname does not
have a good side. He feels sorry for his name. He dislikes his nickname deep in
his heart when his aunt tells Guitar that she is Milkmans aunt. But later he thinks
he is lucky to have a friend who mentions his name sounds better.
Even while he was screaming he wondered why he was suddenly so
defensive- so possessive about his name. He had always hated that
name, all of it, and until he and Guitar became friends, he hated his
nickname too. But in his Guitars mouth it sounded clever, grown up.
(p. 38)
54
c. Respect
As a son, Milkman is a boy who is very respect and fear to his father. It
can be caused his experience life which close enough with his father. The
following quotation shows his fathers wishes to be like him and Milkmans
respect:
or so he thought. Wide-spirited. Or so he imagined. Wide-spirited
and generous enough to defend his mother, whom he almost never
thought about, and to deck his father, whom he both feared and loved
(p.69)
Boy, you got better things to do with your time. Besides, its time
you started learning how to work. You start Monday. After school
come to my office; work a couple of hours there and learn whats
real..Own things. And let the things you own other things. Then
youll own yourself and other people too. Starting Monday, Im going
to teach you how. (p.55)
He always does what his father said and tries to make him proud. In
example how he does the job that his father gives to him as an employer. In earlier
he always worships his father and wants to emulate his father. But because his
weakness; polio, he feels he cant emulate him. Therefore he tries to differ himself
with his father and to be a different character, as a sky and earth.
Milkman feared his father, respected him, but knew, because of the
leg, that he could never emulate him. So he differed from him as much
as he dared. Macon was clean-shaven; Milkman was desperate for a
mustache. Macon wore bow ties; Milkman wore four-in-hands.
Macon didnt part his hair; Milkman had a part shaved into his.
Macon hated tobacco; Milkman tried to put a cigarette in his mouth
every fifteen minutes. Macon hoarded his money; Milkman gives his
away. But he couldnt help sharing with Macon his love of good shoes
and fine thin socks. And he did try, as his fathers employee, to do the
work the way Macon wanted it done. (p. 63)
55
Milkmans personality can be seen when it happened in his growing child

age to be a mature man. Milkmans personality also can be seen in his twenty two,
his personality grew to be a mature personality and start to understand which is
true and false. Although earlier he was very respect to his father, but actually there
is something that he didnt like. His father always bits Milkmans mother and
make his heart to try to struggle and oppose it. The following quotation proves it:
Milkman hadnt planned any of it, but he had to know that one day,
after Macon hit her, hed see his mothers hand cover her lips as she
searched with her tongue for any broken teeth, and discovering none,
tried to adjust the partial plate in her mouth without anyone noticingand that on that day he would not be able to stand it. Before his father
could draw his hand back, Milkman yanked him by the back of his
coat collar, up out of his chair, and knocked him into the radiator. The
window shade flapped and rolled itself up.
You touch her again, one more time, and I will kill you. (p. 67)
The other proof that Milkman does not believe his father anymore is when
he disagreed with his father words in avoiding his aunt Pilate. His father disliked
Pilates and asked Milkman not to meet her and believe to her. Since his father
thought Pilate is a snake. It can be seen as follows:
Just listen to what I say. That womans no good. Shes a snake, and
can charm you like a snake, but still a snake.
You talking about your own sister, that one you carried in your arms
to the fields every morning.
That was a long time a go. You can see her. What she look in to you?
Somebody nice? Somebody normal?
Well, she
Or somebody cut your throat?
She didnt look like that, daddy.(p. 54)
Milkman also feels that his father seems to be the leader of rules. His
father always put in order to obey him although Milkman disagrees with his
fathers order. It can be seen in the following quotation:
56
I know Im the youngest one in this family, but I aint no baby. You
treat me like I was a baby. You keep saying you dont have to explain
nothing to me. How do you think that makes me feel? Like a baby,
thats what. Like a twelve-year-old baby!
Dont you raise your voice to me.
Is that the way your father treated you when you were twelve?
Watch your mouth! Macon roared. (p. 50)
Milkman is someone who cares toward other people. He does not want to
see the others are pain because of him. It can be seen when he makes a
relationship with his cousins, he should break their relationship because he feels if
he still continues his relationship it can make her suffered and believes that she
can find other man who is better than him.
Explain that he wanted her to get something really nice for herself, but
that his gift-giving was compromising her. That he was not what she
needed. She needed a steady man who could marry her. He was
standing in her way. And since they were related and all, she should
start looking for someone else. It hurt him, he would say, deeply hurt
him, after all these years, but if you loved somebody as he did her,
you had to think of them first. You couldnt be selfish with somebody
you loved. (p. 98)
Milkman is a man who responsible with something that he was done. He is
very good in his fathers business, although he does not really interest with that.
For him it is just a job that he should be done as his responsible of a son in
honoring to his father.
He knew Milkman had other interests. Such as? He asked himself.
Well, he was very good in his fathers business, for one thing.
Excellent, in fact. But he had to admit right away that real estate was
of no real interest to him. If he had to spend the rest of his life
thinking about rents and property, hed lose his mind. But he was
going to spend the rest of his life doing just that wasnt he? Thats
what his father assumed and he supposed that was what he had
assumed as well. (p. 107)
57
B. The Role of the Secondary Characters in the Finding of Major

Characters Personal Identity.
In the finding his personal identity, Milkman has a confusion at first. It
happened because people around him have very different characters. Therefore in
the determining Milkmans character, the writer refers to Eriksons theory of
personal identity that has a function to define the personal identity of Milkman; as
the generation of legendary Solomon (the negro who flew back to Africa in order
to escape the slave plantation life.). He knows his personal identity after he knows
in his journey to Virginia that his great grandfather is a famous negro that able to
escape from slavery through a song.
In the theory it is said that there are three elements in the formation of an
identity, the writer applies the first and second elements to define his personal
identity. The theory can be applied in his experience in the finding of his father
background family.
In the second element said that the person in ones social milieu must also
perceive a sameness and continuity. In Virginia, Milkman discovers his family
history; it leads to Milkman identity through his fathers family background. It
passes on from generation to generation through the form of a song. The song is
similar with the song that Pilate used to sing. He realizes the meaning of the
childrens song or games. Thus, finally Milkman accepts his black heritage. The
Song of Solomon is not only immortalizes Milkmans ancestry, it also an
important statement about African-American social circumstances.
These children were singing a story about his own people! He
hummed and chuckled as he did his best to put it all
58
together.milkman was getting confused, but he was as excited as a

child confronted with boxes and boxes of presents under the skirt of a
Christmas treehe ran back to Solomons store and caught a glimpse
of himself in the plate-glass window. He was grinning. His eyes were
shining. He was as eager and happy as he had ever been in his life.(p.
304)
The quotation above answer Milkmans inquiry when he was a child; he
inquires about his family history, especially about his grandfathers name.
Milkmans interest in his identity suggests that he may choose a different path
from his father after all. Now, Milkman is aware of the history behind his names
and he gains a special knowledge.
The first element said that individual must perceive themselves as having
inner sameness and continuity. The song makes him understand about his family
identity. He is happy in revealing his personal identity and he feels that he could
fly. The concept of flight can be regarded as both realistic and hypocritical. Flight,
throughout the entire novel, has been regarded as natural. The following quotation
shows that he perceives his personal identity.
Leave me. Leave me here by myself. I dont care. Ill play with the
water moccasins. And he began to whoop and dive and splash and
turn. He could fly! You hear me? My great grandfather could fly!
Goddam!Yeah. that tribe. That flyin motherfuckin tribe. Oh man!
He didnt need no airplanemy grand father. Wow! Woooee! Guitar!
You hear that? Guitar, my great granddaddy could flyyyyy and the
whole damn town is named after him.(p. 328)
Milkmans initiation in journey to Virginia is caused by Pilates role. She
seems to be Milkman guide. Once milkman goes to the cave and doesnt find the
gold, he decides to take the routes that Pilate took in her life. Her experiences
guide him in understanding of who he is and knowing of his great-grandpa. If
its not for her, milkman wont have ended up in Shalimar, Virginia, and traces
59
Pilates path. Milkman finds his own path and the identity for himself.
And certainly, in time, he would discover his foolishness. There was
no gold. And although things would never be the same between them,
at least the man-hunt would be over. (p.331)
Even at the end of story Pilate dies, she teaches him to live out of courage
and face up to reality. It can be said that its because of her that faces Guitar and
sacrifices himself for Guitars sake. She becomes the guide for milkman, help him
conquer his own life and move on to liberation.
In the finding of his personal identity, Milkman needs a role of the others.
It was needed since Milkman find a confusion at first to know his personal
identity. The role in the novel can be taken by the role of secondary characters.
The role of secondary characters that bring a process of the finding Milkmans
personal identity.
To analyze the role of secondary characters in the finding of major
characters true personal identity, the writer will use the six factors of Pikunass
personality development theory as references. The theory is used to understand
that the changing of someones personality can be influenced by external factors
and the role of other people is very important in the development of someone
personality. In this case, the development of Milkman personality is useful to find
his personal identity.
1. Pilate Dead
Pilates character can be related to Pikunass theory, it can be described
that Pilates refers to the Pikunass personality development theory of the third and
60
fifth factor such as:

The third factor is greater self-awareness, resulting in a heightened desire
for self-direction and reevaluation of standards, goal and ideas. The fifth factor is
treatment by parents and peer. The theory shows that Pilates always cares to her
family and always help her family and other people although one of person hates
her such as Macon Dead; Milkmans father. She always gives Milkmans guidance
about the right thing in Milkmans life; the good guidance. Pilates character can
be drawn as the following description.
Pilate is Milkmans aunt. She is a good Negro woman. She likes to help
every one who needs her help. Pilates character is regarded as the treatment by
parents as the fifth factor of Pikunass theory. She loves her family and loves her
nephew as her own son. The following quotation shows how kind person Pilate is,
it can be seen when she knows her nephew was born who is Milkman:
.and more important, he would have known not to fool with
anything that belonged to Pilate, who never bothered anybody, was
helpful to everybody,(p. 94)
Pilate takes care of other. She takes care of Ruths baby and loves her
nephew. She seems to be more interest and continue to visit Ruths house and sing
for the baby. She loves that baby who will be killed by Macon Dead or Milkmans
father when Ruth is pregnant, before Milkman born.
Now she was acting like in-law, like an aunt, dabbling at helping
Ruth and the girls, but having no interest in or knowledge of decent
housekeeping, she got in the way. Finally she just sat in a chair near
the crib, singing to the baby. (p. 20)
The fifth factor of Pikunas personality development theory is treatment by
61
parents and peer. This factor reflects Pilates character in finding Milkmans
personal identity. In other words, Pilate has a role in finding Milkman Deads
personal identity. Pilates character is portrayed in the role of a teacher or guide.
She tends to be a spiritual leader as well as a spiritual guide for Milkman. She
represents the motherly love and gives the spiritual education that Milkman needs.
She is a major character in this novel and also referred to a flat character or a
character that never changes from in first part of the story until in the end of the
story. She is good Negro at the first until the end of the story.
Pilate begins to teach Milkman at their first meeting. Her whole lesson
with how hi sounds like the dumbest word and that if someone was to be
greeted with a hi, they should get up and knock you down seems to get
Milkman to notice her.
Pilates speech can be seen as follows:
Hi.
The woman looked up. First at Guitar and then at Milkman.
What kind of words is that? Her voice was light but gravelsprinkled. Milkman kept on staring at her fingers, manipulating the
orange. Guitar grinned and shrugged. It means hello.
Then say what you mean.
Okay. Hello.
Thats better. What you want?
Nothin. We just passin by.
..Milkman took a breath, held it, and said, Hi
Pilate laughed. You all must be the dumbest unhung Negroes on
earth. What they telling you in them schools? You say Hi to pigs
and sheep when you want em to move. When you tell a human being
Hi, he ought to get up and knock you down. (p. 36-37)
Pilates role as a parental guide as a teacher and tries to teach him what is
right and wrong. She exemplifies to Milkman how life should be led. She shows
him how goals in life should be aimed for and how they should be accomplished.
62
For example, her whole lesson in how to make the perfect egg teaches Milkman
how even something as little as frying an egg has consequences to it. Give him a
love as a mother and son that never Milkman has.
Now, the water and egg have to meet each other on a kind of equal
standing. One cant get the upper hand over the other. So the
temperature has to be the same of both. I knock the chill off the water
first. Just the chill. I dont let it get warm because the egg is room
temperature, you see. Now then, the real secret is right here in the
boiling. When the tiny bubbles come to the surface, when they as big
as peas and just before they get big as marbles. Well, right then you
takes the pot off the fire. You dont just put the fire out; you take the
pot off. Then you put a folded newspaper over the pot and do one
small obligation. Like answering the door or emptying the bucket and
bringing it in off the front porch.If you do all that, you got yourself
a perfect soft-boiled egg.(p. 39-40)
Through Pilate, Milkman learns that big and little things have a purpose
and a right way of accomplishing that goal as well as how one should try to set and
do it correctly. This is Pilates way that shows the greater self awareness in giving
the right goal and ideals guidance for Milkman as the third factor of Pikunas
theory.
Pilate points out to Milkman that when she does sell wine, she never drinks
it because it is only to make a good living condition for her daughter and
grandchild rather than to use it for her own advantages. Her wine store shows how
she accomplishes her goal without any interference or word-of-mouth, in the city,
bothering her at all. Pilates way of teaching helps Milkman comprehends what
she is trying to say or teach without her actually instilling it into his brain. She acts
in a way that makes him understand what he needs to know.
When will this wine ready? he asked.
This batch? Few weeks, Pilate said.
You gonna let us have some? Guitar smiled.
63
Sure. You want some now? Plenty wine in a cellar.

I dont want that. I want some of this. Some of the wine I made.
You think you made this? Pilate laughed at him. You think this all
there is to it? Picking a few berries?
Oh. Guitar scratched his head. I forgot. We got to mash them in our
bare feet.
Feet? Feet? Pilate was outraged. Who makes wine with they feet?
Might tasted good, mama, said Hagar.
Couldnt taste no worse, Reba said.
Your wine any good, Plate? asked Guitar.
Couldnt tell you.
Why not?
Never tested it.
Milkman laughed. You sell wine you dont even taste?
Folks dont buy it for the taste. Buy it to get drunk. (p.47-48)
Pilates character is a good lesson for Milkman in learning about life. She
is really a good negro woman who loves everyone and teaches every one to be
good and makes everyone happy.
She retains her identity as a negro as well. Her pride and acceptance for
her identity as a negro is like a guide to Milkman. It guides and teaches Milkman
of what a good negro can be.
Pilates is a good character in this novel and she is a negro who is proud of
her identity. She is happy and likes to be a negro woman. She always helps others
without making a differentiation of race. She is happy has a negro family. It can be
seen through her quotation
I could of stayed in that town cause they was plenty of colored
people to take me in (p. 142).
She love living in the city because negro or colored people are friendly and
helps each others. She likes Negros life
There were more Negros there than shed ever seen, and the comfort
she felt in their midst she kept all her life (p. 146).
64
2. Guitar Bains
Guitars character can be related to Pikunass theory, it can be described
that Guitar refers to the theory of Pikunass personality; the fourth factor. The
fourth factor is the need companionship, with prime emphasis on heterosexual
friendship.
Guitar as a character in this novel also considers as minor character
because he does not take a whole part of finding Milkmans personal identity. He
also considered as a round character because his character in the story is changed
from the beginning until in the end of the story. He looks good at the first story
but he changes to be a bad character in the end of the story. The following
evidence shows Guitar in relating to the fourth factor; that is the need
companionship, with prime emphasis on heterosexual friendship.
Guitar Bainss is Milkman best friend who introduce him to Pilate and the
community of Southside. This is Milkman first experience in having a relationship
with people. Then he will enjoy go to Pilates house.
Guitar said he knew her. Had even been inside her house.
Whats it like in there? Milkman asked him.
Shiny. Guitar answered. Shinny and brown. With a smell.
A bad smell?
I dont know. Her smell. You will see. (p. 36)
Although his fathers forbids him to near Pilate, but he still goes there since
in that house he feels a little harm with the relationship of Pilates family. He finds
a mothers care from Pilate than a fear in his house. This shows Guitars role in
finding Milkmans personal identity because without Guitar, Milkman will not
meet and know how harm and kind Pilate is.
65
Guitar always listens to Milkman when he shares with him. To share a lot
of things each other for example Milkman problems and giving supports to
Milkman. It can be proved in three quotations below:
Milkman tried to figure what was true and what part of what was
true had anything to do with him. What was supposed to do with this
new information his father had dumped on him?....
where would Guitar be? Never anywhere when you really needed him.
(p. 75-76)
I deck my old man
Decked?
Yeah. Hit him. Knocked him into the fuckin radiator.
Whatd he do to you?
Nothin.
Nothin? You just up and popped him?
Yeah.
For no reason?
He hit my mother.
Listen. I can understand how you feel. (p. 84)
Forget it, Milk. Whatever it is, forget it. It aint nothing.
Whatever he told you, forget it.
I hope I can. I sure hope I can.
Listen, baby, people do funny things. Specially us. The cards are
stacked against us and just trying to stay in the game, stay alive and in
the game, makes us do funny thing. Things we cant help. Things that
make us hurt one another. We dont even know why. But look here,
dont carry it inside and dont give it to nobody else. Try to understand
it, but if you cant just forget it and keep yourself strong, man. (p. 8788)
Guitar always can understand Milkman when he has a problem in his
family and Guitar always explains about his experience too in his life to Milkman
and they share each other. If Milkman has no best friend like Guitar, he will be
feeling alone in his life. No friend to share and doesnt have anyone who can
understand and hear his problems.
Guitar Bain retains his identity as a racist negro man. His racism teaches
66
Milkman of another type of negro. The negro who racist. He hates white people in
his life. He does not like white people who always see colored people as a slave.
Guitar seems to be racist person in this novel. It can be seen through the following
quotation; I dont know. It makes me think of dead people. And white people.
And I start to puke (p. 61).
Guitars sentence above shows how hates he is with white people and it
makes him to puke. That is why he does not like sugar as the representation of
Guitars idea if sugar likes white people. Guitar seems as a racist person who
always against white people. It can be seen through this quotation:
...the racial problems that consumed Guitar were the most boring of
all. He wondered what they would do if they didnt have black and
white problems to talk about (p. 107).
He has a problem with white people because in his past life his family has a
bad act by white people. At the time negro will become a humiliation family by
white people since color people is suitable as slaves and do not have good life and
white people always kill color people.
As Guitars love to Negro, he becomes a member of Seven Days, a group
of killing white people to take a revenge of death color people by white people.
There are no innocent white people, because every one of them is a
potential nigger-killer, if not an actual one (p. 155).
He hates more with white people and it makes him to kill white people. He
believes that white people can kill negro because in his opinion white people is
unnatural. It means unnatural because it is as the same as racist. White people
do not like color people that call as unnatural and it refers to racist in his opinion.
67
White people are unnatural. As a race they are unnatural. And it takes
a strong effort of the will to overcome an unnatural enemy (p. 156).
Guitar as a member of Seven Days kills white people if there is an

evidence of killed colored people at the time. It means that if on Monday, a nigger
killed by white people, at this time he kills a white person as the revenge of killed
negro.
If the Negro was killed on Monday, the Monday man takes that one.
And we jut notify one another when its completed, not how or who
(p. 158).
Guitars act shows how loves he is with his race as a negro man. But his
acts also show how racist he is with white people.
What Im doing aint about hating white people. Its about loving us.
About loving you. My whole life is love (p. 159).
Guitars name also shows his race as a negro, and negro usually as slaves
by white people. It can be seen through the following quotation:
I dont give a shit what white people know or even think. Besides, I
do accept it. Its part of who I am. Guitar is my name. Bains is the
slave masters name. And Im all of that. Slave names dont bother
me; but slave status does (p. 160)
He loves his race as his life. His loves of Negro race make him a racist
nero in his life. It can be said that he does not like white people and always tries to
kill white people. His way to save negro life is different since he kills people. That
is Guitars way in loves his race. The following is Milkman and Guitar quotation
which shows Guitars love of his race, how Guitar also kills white woman if there
is a colored woman killed.
68
Keeping the racial ratio the same and all? Every time I ask you what
you doing it for, you talk about love. Loving Negros. Now you
sayGuitar looked sideways at Milkman. His nostrils flared a little.
because shes mine (p. 223).
3. Macon Dead
Macons character also can be related to Pikunass theory, it can be
described that Macon refers to the Pikunass personality development theory of
the second factor. The second factor is sexual maturation, accompanied by new
drives and emotions. Macons character can be seen in the novel as a man with
full of desire in controlling Milkmans life. Macon also a man who make Milkman
to be like him, it makes Milkman try to against him. The opposition of Milkman
toward his father is his new drive and emotion. Macons evidence can be seen in
the following quotations.
Macon is a bad Negro man. His attitude and character are full of hostility,
power and selfishness. Macons attitude always controls Milkmans life that shows
Macons act who always controls Milkman He wants Milkman to be like him over
all perfectly.
He believes that he is the great person in the family and also a rich person
in the city. It can be seen in the following quotation:
Macon was delighthis business more dignified, and he had time to
think, to plan, to visit the bank men, to read the public notices,
auctions, to find out what plots were going for taxes, unclaimed heirs
property, where roads were being built, what supermarkets,
schools(p. 63)
Macon refers to a tough negro. He is a type of person who can not be
69
understood. He is a difficult man in all side. He is referred to a flat character in

this novel because he does not change from beginning until in the end of the story.
He also considers as a major character. It can be assumed by his character and
behavior who gives the effect on Milkman life. Macons description who is not a
friendly and good man can be seen in the following quotation:
He was a difficult man to approach-a hard man, with a manner so cool
it discouraged casual or spontaneous conversation. (p. 15)
Macon is also an arrogant negro. He knows that he is very rich in his city
and he does not care others for example his sister. It can be seen in the following
quotation that happened when he meets Pilate:
He trembled with the thought of the white men in the bank-the men
who helped him buy and mortgage houses-discovering that this
raggedy bootlegger was his sister. That the propertied Negro who
handled his business so well and who lived in the big house on Not
Doctor Street (p. 20)
The following quotation shows how arrogant Macon. He is too pride about
his wealth. No one respects with him because of his behavior and trait.
For him it was a way to satisfy himself that he was indeed a successful
man. (p. 31)
In 1936 there were very few among them who lived as well as Macon
Dead. Others watched the family gliding by with a tiny bit of
jealously and a whole lot of amusement, for Macons wide green
Packard belied what they thought a car was forhe hailed no one and
no one hailed him. (p. 32)
Besides, he is also a rough negro man. His word always makes his wife
feels hurt. In the first explain before that Macon dislikes his wife. He can not
speak polite to his wife. He always speaks too rough with her. It can be seen in the
70
You didnt know that only Catholics take communion in a Catholic

Church? Macon Dead asked her, his tone making it clear that he
didnt believe her.
No Macon. How would I know?
You see them put up their own school, keep their kids out of pblic
schools, and you still think their religious stuff is open to anybody
who wants to drop it?
You made a fool of yourself
She was just trying to keep the wedding going, keep you from
fucking it up (p. 66)
The quotations above show that Macon is a rough person. He is a bad
husband and actually a bad father to Milkman. Macon controls Milkman life such
as when Macon wants Milkman to work in his office. Macons purpose is to
separate Milkman with Pilate. Macon does not like Milkman to be closer with
Pilate. That is why Macon gives an order to Milkman to work with him. But
unfortunately, Macon way to separate Milkman with Pilate is not successful
because Milkman has much time to go to Pilate house after collecting rent money.
The following quotation is Milkman speech to make Milkman work with him.
Boy, you got thinks to do with your time. Besides, its time you
started learning how to work. You start Monday. After school come to
my office; work a couple of hour there and learn whats real
(1977:55).
It can be assumed that the quotation above shows Macons control way to
Milkman. He needs Milkman to work to be like him and also it uses to separate
Milkman and his aunt, Pilate. But later, Macons way leads Milkman to find his
true self identity. In other words, Milkman learns more about Pilate character and
learns about everything with Pilate. Pilate gives Milkman a mother-love. That is
why, Macon way to separate Pilate and Milkman does not work, it makes Milkman
and Pilate are closer.
71
The following quotation shows how Macon always oppresses Milkmans

mother. Macon acts change Milkman to be respectful toward his mother:
Macon didnt want to put his fork down. He dropped it on the table
while his hand was on its way across the bread plate becoming the
first he smashed into her jaw.
Macon hit her,.she searched with her tongue for any broken teeth
(1977:67).
Milkman always respects his father. Then he becomes a changed person
who opposes his father. He grows to respect his mother after Milkman sees his
father hit his mother. He realizes that his fathers cruelty must be stopped. He
grows to be respect toward woman especially his mother.
It can be assumed that Macons cruelty leads Milkman to become closer
with his mother. He actually is not close enough with his mother since he was a
child. It is caused by his father Macon who always controls him with his rule. The
following quotation shows Milkmans change to be respect and love his mother:
You nursed me
Yes
Until I wasold. Too old
Ruth turned toward her son. She lifted her head and looked deep into
his eyes. And I also prayed for you Every single night and every
single day. On my knees. Now you tell me.
What harm did I do you on my knees? (p.126)
It can be said that Milkmans transformation to be more respect his mother
is shown after he opposes his father. Macons role in Milkmans change because of
his cruelty that leads Milkman to realized a good side and bad side. Ruth words
And I also prayed for you. Every single night and every single day. On my
knees. show how loves his mother is. These words make him becomes a person
who cares his mother.
72
Macon is also a bad father and a bad Negro. He acts a white people who
can not act as well as toward negro. It can be said that he does not retain his
identity as a Negro. It brings Milkman into a confusion that make him try to find
his true self- identity.
Mr. Bains let her hand fall to her side. A nigger in business is a
terrible thing to see. A terrible, terrible thing to see (p. 22).
It can be said that he can not gives a time to Mrs. Bains to pay the
house rent because she has difficulty to pay it, but he acts as a white
people who seem as an arrogant Negro man.
Well, thats what I come to talk to you about. You know Cency left
all them babies with me. And my relief check aint no moren it take
to keep a well-grown yard dog alive-half alive, I should say (p. 21).
Macon believes that he is a successful Negro in this town and it seems like
a white people who successful in life.
You really think therell be enough colored peopleI mean nice
colored peoplein this city (p. 35).
Macon also believes that he is a strange Negro. It is caused by his acts who
like white people.
but I dont have to tell you that your father is very a strange
Negro. Hell reap the benefits of what we sow, and theres nothing we
can do about that. He behaves like a white man, thinks like a white
man (p. 223)
Macon is also a Negro who can not love his wife as a husband. His act
does not represent as a Negro who loves his family. He hates his wifes father. In
his mind his father in-law does not like him because he has nothing that is why he
becomes an arrogant man and have an ambition to be a rich person.
73
Your mothers father never liked me and I have to say I was very
disappointed in him. He was just about the biggest Negro in this city.
Not the richest, but the most respected. But the bigger hypocrite never
live (p. 71).
CHAPTER V
CONCLUSION
In this chapter has conclusion that the analysis focuses on two points. The
first is the description of secondary and major character such as Pilate, Guitar,
Macon Dead and Milkman. The second is the secondary characters support the
finding of Milkmans the personal identity.
The first point has a conclusion that Pilates character is caring,
independent, happy, self-confident. Guitar Bainss character is well-informed and
fanatic. Macons character is oppression, materialist, control and cruelty.
Milkmans character is arrogant, friendly and respect.
The second point has the conclusion to the role of the secondary characters
in the finding of major characters personal identity. Pikunass personality
development theory used to understand that the changing of ones personality can
be influenced by external factors and the role of other people is very important in
the development of ones personality. Pilates character can be related to the third
and fifth factor of Pikunass theory; the third factor is greater self-awareness,
resulting in a heightened desire for self-direction and reevaluation of standards,
goal and ideas.
The fifth factor shows that Pilates always cares to her family, always help
her family and other people. She always gives Milkmans guidance about the right
thing in Milkmans life; the good guidance. Pilates character is portrayed in the
role of a teacher or guide. She tends to be a spiritual leader or a spiritual guide
for Milkman. She represents the motherly love and gives the spiritual education
79
80
for Milkman.
Guitars character can be related to the fourth factor of Pikunass theory:
the need companionship, with prime emphasis on heterosexual friendship. Guitar
introduces Milkman to Pilate and the community of Southside. This is Milkman
first experience in having a relationship with people; Milkman never interacts
with people before he relates a friendship with Guitar. Besides, Guitar always
listens to Milkmans problems and gives supports to Milkman.
Macon Dead refers to the second factor of the Pikunass personality
development; sexual maturation, accompanied by new drives and emotions. He is
the mature man with full of desire in controlling Milkmans life to be like him. His
attitude and character are full of hostility, power and selfishness. Milkman
becomes a change person who fights with his father. He changes to respect with
his mother after sees his father hit his mother. He changes to be respect with
woman especially his mother. Milkmans transformation to be more respect his
mother is shown after he opposes his father. Macons role in Milkmans change
because of his cruelty that leads Milkman to realize a good and bad side. Macons
cruelty leads Milkman to become closer with his mother.
Besides, Milkman always has confusion about his identity. Milkmans
personal identity relates to the Eriksons theory of personal identity that has a
function to define the personal identity of Milkman; as the generation of
legendary Solomon. Milkman tries to find his identity through his fathers family
background. His limited knowledge of his fathers and his mothers background,
together with the values of what a negro can be have molded his identity which
80
has been triggered by Pilates suggestion to initiate a journey to Virginia to find

his identity which is related in his family background and finally, at the end of his
search for identity Milkman accepts his black heritage.
80
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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THE ROLE OF SECONDARY CHARACTERS IN THE

ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME

A Sarjana Sastra Undergraduate Thesis

THE ROLE OF SECONDARY CHARACTERS IN THE

Elisa Dwi Wardani S.S., M. Hum.

September 22, 2011

Dewi Widyastuti, S.Pd., M.Hum.

September 22, 2011

A Sarjana Sastra Undergraduate Thesis

THE ROLE OF SECONDARY CHARACTERS IN THE

Defended before the Board of Examiners

: Dr. Francis Borgias Alip M.Pd., M.A.

: Drs. Hirmawan Wijanarka M.Hum.

: Elisa Dwi Wardani S.S., M.Hum.

: Ni Luh Putu Rosiandani S.S., M.Hum.

: Dewi Widyastuti S.Pd., M.Hum.

Yogyakarta, September 30, 2011

(Dr. I. Praptomo Baryadi, M. Hum.)

LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN

Demi pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan, saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan

CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ............................................................

CHAPTER II: THEORETICAL REVIEW ............................................

CHAPTER III: METODHOLOGY ........................................................

CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS .....................................................................

CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION ................................................................

This thesis is concerned with Toni Morrisons Song of Solomon. It is an

2. What is the role of secondary characters in the finding of major characters

C. Objectives of the Study

created by an author with certain qualities.

A. Review of Related Studies

Through Song of Solomon, Morrison give many themes and symbolism in

B. Review of Related Theories

involving the theory of character, theory of characterization, some theories

1. The Theory of Character and Characterization

a. The Meaning of Character

Character in literature generally and fiction specifically, is an extended verbal

b. The Types of Character

function as a 'point reference' if he has greater intensity. When he undergoes the

c. The Meaning of Characterization

d. Ways to Create Character Based on Characterization

the individuals hereditary endowment, the second is early experiences within

b. Theory of Personality Development

experiences they have got. Mischel (1981: 4) states personality psychologists

c. Theory of Personal Identity

experiences or present social circumstances, results in what Erikson called The

B. Approach of The Study

C. Method of the Study

A. The Description of the Secondary Characters and the Major Character

as discussed in chapter II to make the characters understandable. The writer use

.he was sitting comfortably in the notorious wine house; he was

Although his brother dislikes her, she is a forgiving person regardless of

As a grandmother she will do anything to make her granddaughter happy.

deeper. Cause if I stick it in any deeper, itll go straight through your

O Sugarman dont leave me here

It bothered him and he acquired movements and habits to disguise

After her daughter is born, Pilates lack of confidence slowly disappears.

solution through Guitar.

Sweeter than syrup. Real sweet. Sweeter than (p.61)

You make a fool of yourself in a catholic church, embarrass

Milkmans personality can be seen when it happened in his growing child

B. The Role of the Secondary Characters in the Finding of Major