Macon Dead III: Names

The protagonist of Song of Solomon is Macon Dead (the third), often known as Milkman. His name is the same as his father's, who has the same name as his own father. For much of Macon Dead III's (abbreviated to 'MDIII') life, the names he is called (and by whom) have had significant impact on him. As Macon Dead, son of Macon Dead, son of Macon Dead, his father's name overshadows his, leaving MDIII an ineffective teenager in an adult life, running errands for his father. "Milkman" (a nickname given by Freddy aimed against his mother), on the other hand, is how he is known in places like the Blood Bank, fitting in with people like named Guitar or Empire State or Railroad Tommy.

When MDIII sets out in search of his origins, the narration calls him Milkman, but he introduces himself as Macon Dead, or just Macon. Initially, when he meets the people his father grew up with, he plays up his status as Macon Dead, son of Macon Dead, basking in the attention of people who like him for who his father was rather than hate him for who is father is. When he moves on to Shilomar, he still uses the name Macon Dead, but he acts like his Blood Bank self crossed with Guitar crossed his father's money.

Finally, because of the alleged gold, Guitar attempts to garrote Macon Dead III. The next time they meet and talk, Guitar no longer calls him "Milkman," just "my man." At the end of their conversation, Guitar calls back to MDIII's self-deprecating joke "My name's Macon and I'm already Dead" by saying "Your name is Macon, but you ain't dead yet"

Much like the other aspects of MDIII's search for his origins, I think MDIII's name is reflective of his identity. By going on his journey, he attempts not only to understand the past that has reached forward and shaped his life, but also to claim the name "Macon Dead" as something not merely a lesser version of his father, not merely a derogatory nickname,  but an actual person who can empathize with others and live life with purpose.

Comments

  1. Anya Kaplan-HartnettDecember 19, 2018 at 1:40 PM

    Names can mean a lot, so I can imagine that it would be hard for Milkman to be named after a man whom he hates. A major reason why Milkman hates his father is that he doesn't understand his greed. Once Milkman travels to Virginia and learns his family history, he is able to understand why Macon II loves property so much. This newfound empathy makes Milkman more grateful for both his name and his heritage, both of which come from his father.

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  2. AnnaDecember 20, 2018 at 11:57 AM

    I definitely agree with this. I think that each one of Milkman's names is an identity. Milkman is the name ironically given him because of his mother. His other name Macon Dead II is the name his father passed along to him. So even his names split him within his family, maybe showing his split identity. His father want to be connected to how Milkman got that nickname. Meanwhile his mother is also ashamed of his nickname and her connection to it. Maybe Milkman's names show what side people prefer. Do they like Milkman or Macon Dead III?

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