In Milkman hits on the false pretense of a life that he was living. He was living his life for his father, his father, and his father and that was no identity. "Owning, building, acquiring-that was his life, his future, his present, and all the history he knew. That he distorted life, bent it, for the sake of gain was a measure of how much he had lost,"" (300). His identity was their identity and in realizing their history and their lives, he could form a true black male identity of his own. Allen again supports the idea of Milkman's reassertion from immature selfish boy to knowledgeable honest man. "Milkman's transformation from an indulged and self-indulging child into a dangerously won maturity shapes the narrative line of event and perception,"" (30).
As Milkman becomes a feeling responsible adult he begins to feel that there is something missing in his life independence and along with that his own sense of an identity. Identifying his true self and allowing himself the responsibility of his actions all led to his deep longing to go off on his own and, for once in his life, not owe anyone for anything. "I just know that I want to live my own life I don't want to owe anybody when I go. Daddy wants me to be like him and hate my mother. My mother wants me to think like her and hate my father. Corinthians won't speak to me; Lena wants me out. And Hagar wants me chained to her bed or dead. Everybody wants something from me.Something they think they can't get anywhere else. Something they think I've got. I don't know what it is-I mean what is they really want?- (222). Everyone wants Milkman's identity because he is the key to their own personal truth. His mother, father, sister, and lover all depend on his life to provide the comfort of their individuality. This is the beginning of Milkman's search and acknowledgment of his need for a true human legacy oneself. .
At the end of Milkman's journey the development of his potent male identity has been shaped significantly by the people he has met and the things he has experienced.
