The Two Different Sides of the Dead Family: Macon vs. Pilate
One crucial concept that this book explores is the opposing dynamic between Pilate and Macon. Pilate and Macon Jr. have always been at odds in their adult lives and eventually, as we see in the bulk of the book, it makes them act as though they don’t even know each other anymore. Pilate and Macon are so isolated from each other that our protagonist, Milkman, doesn’t even meet his aunt or cousins until the age of 12, despite living in the same town as him. As we can see, these two sides of the dead family are starkly separated, but it also poses the question, why are Pilate and Macon so different?
As we later find out, this conflict between the two siblings did not always exist and according to Pilate “Macon was a nice boy and awful good to me. Be nice if you could have known him then.” (Morrison 40). Pilate makes it seem as though in some moment during their childhood she and Macon Jr. got along, but somewhere along the road, he changed for good and it caused him and Pilate to have a falling out and make them distant. I believe that this transformative event that changed Macon Jr’s personality for good was his father’s death that not only causes an emotional shift in his personality but a sort of spiritual change as well.
From what we know, Macon Jr. and Pilate's father dies protecting the family farm from attacking white farmers and in this dramatic scene, there is a pseudo-legendary depiction of his death as he, according to the myth, floats five feet into the air. It's a very intense moment of superhuman imagery where the author puts a big emphasis on the fact that in the moment he died, it was as if his body and soul were lifted off the ground and into the air in an almost mythical way. One theory that was brought up in class was that in this moment, it was as if Macon the First’s soul is separated into two distinct personalities. I think that one of these personalities embodies his stubbornness and pride, which is shown by his refusal to back down and surrender his farm to the pillaging farmers who were invading and another that represents his compassion to protect his family and farm from these pillagers. In the same moment, these two personalities come back down to Earth, with the stubbornness “possessing” Macon Jr. and the compassion “possessing” Pilate, influencing their personalities for the remainder of their lives.
From this moment on, the personality that their father "passes" on to them as he dies influences the way that Macon and Pilate live their lives. Macon becomes an isolated and selfish member of the family who has an obsession with maintaining a prideful appearance and the pursuit of money. Pilate becomes a selfless and compassionate member of the family who cares for not just her own children, but her brother’s as well. These contrasting personalities affect the behavior of both Macon Jr. and Pilate but most influentially, it impacts the way that each of Macon the First's children chooses to raise their own children.
Macon Jr.’s approach to raising his kids is largely an effort to maintain a position of power in the Dead family. Just like Macon the First, he wants to be an authoritative figure who’s legendary status makes him into a respected figure not only within his family but also within his community. Macon Jr. achieves a status of respect, but does so by inciting fear into those around him to continue his control. Pilate’s approach to raising her kids is much more loving. She teaches them independence, compassion, and gives her children a childhood full of affection and loving protection. She teaches her children to pave their own path and it leads Guitar and Hagar to live their lives with much more passion. In contrast, Milkman is taught to follow the family succession and pick up his father’s profession, discouraging him from independence.
Whatever the cause of the differences between Pilate and Macon Jr. may be, the two approach their lives in contrasting ways which affects their own lives and ripples into affecting the lives of those around them.
Pilate and Macon both had the same upbringing so it is really interesting to see such clear opposites between them. I believe that their differences were caused by their lives after their father's death. Where Pilate traveled refusing to "put shoes on", Macon went and acquired property and rebuild what he thought was his father's accomplishments. Pilate knew that Macon would end up like this, but she is still disappointed that Macon rejected her. Macon's quest for money had distracted him from other things.
ReplyDeleteI like your perspective on this topic because I feel like it isn't mentioned much. Macon and Pilate both had the same upbringing and yet they are drastically different in their adult life. Your statement about there being a defining event in Macon's life is very plausible. The death of his father really made him the man he now is. His obsession with property stems from his experience with his father's property being stripped from him, and now Macon is hyperfocused on attaining as much property as possible. This constant need for control is what makes him the unhappy and conceited man he is in his adult life. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI love the characterization of Macon II and Pilate as reflecting Macon I's "soul separated into two distinct personalities." It's harder to see how Macon II is living his life in tribute to his father, at first, but when we get the fuller story, the significance of "working right alongside him" becomes more clear, and we can view his possessiveness about Milkman in this light as well--a more sympathetic version of his "you're coming to work with me now, to keep away from Pilate." It's also about keeping his son close, having him "work right alongside," and that's a more sympathetic picture than we see earlier in the novel.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to see how Milkman is raised by Macon. Although Milkman dislikes his similarities to his father, for a while, he never grows up from his childhood. He takes advantage of all of his privileges and freedom from living in a rich family and being the only son. In contrast, he really looks up to Pilate and admires her for her strength and compassion. It really shows how different Pilate and Macon are.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! This comparison reminds me of Purple Hibiscus and how differently the family dynamics were in the Father's vs. the Aunt's house. It is definetely interesting to see how Milkman reacts to both of these environments and how he sometimes struggles between both. At the beginning he is influenced more by his father, not something he really likes, and kind of floats around aimlessly. Later he seems to be more influenced by the independence encouraged in Pilate's household and later "flies" to freedom.
ReplyDeleteI find it really interesting that in some respects (my opinion) Macon II is living closing to the version of what his father was that Pilate ever did, it seems like Macon I death was a moment that Macon II carried through his entire life, and in a way he tried to make his father proud and carry on the legacy that was stolen from his family. Pilate don't seem to be all that constrained(?) by a feeling of responsibility to carry on the family legacy. Pilate's Pilate but Macon II is (as his name suggest) Macon I ( or trying to be )
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