How Is Milkman Selfish

Although Milkman is flawed, his family loves him unconditionally. Milkman does not return their love, and causes them much pain. Milkman’s distorted personality is not entirely his fault. Morrison shows us that generations of slavery and abuse have played a part in developing Milkman’s selfish personality.

What type of character is milkman?

Born into a sheltered, privileged life, Milkman grows up to be an egotistical young man. He lacks compassion, wallows in self-pity, and alienates himself from the African-American community. As his nickname suggests, Milkman literally feeds off of what others produce.

Is Milkman a hero?

Having “stretched his carefree boyhood out for thirty-one years,” he is content to go “wherever the party is.” Although he functions as the novel’s protagonist, he is not a heroic figure — at least not for well over half of the novel.