Chapter 2 +
A. Please re-read chapter 2 (pages 31-55), and respond to
any of the following:
At the end of the chapter, Macon Dead tells his son, “Pilate
can’t teach you a thing you can use in this world. Maybe the next, but not this one. Let me tell you right now the one important
thing you’ll ever need to know: Own things.
And let the things you own own other things. Then you’ll own yourself and other people
too” (55).
1) What do you make of Macon’s advice for Milkman? Is it good advice? Why?
Do you trust what Macon has to say about Pilate? How is this idea of “owning things”
potentially problematic?
2) To answer these questions, I’d like you to consider the
contrast between Macon Dead’s personality, values, and relationship with the
community (and family) and Pilate’s personality, values, and relationship with
community. What “lessons” do they each
teach Milkman? Has Milkman already
learned something important from his first mature interaction with Pilate? What
might he have learned then, had he been more self aware?
3) How does this resonate with you after a 2nd
reading?
A. Please re-read chapter 2 (pages 31-55), and respond to any of the following:
this is problematic as well.
ReplyDeleteNo I believe Macon is being sarcastic. I would think Macon would be a person to rely on when it comes to Pilate because after all he did grow up with her. It probably alludes to her maybe cheating her way into getting things because he says she is a "treacherous snake".
ReplyDelete^SanJuana Aguilar
ReplyDeleteMacon's advice to Milkman might be good for business, but it is probably not applicable to real life. In the business world, owning more things generally means you have more power/control.
ReplyDeleteI don't trust what Macon has to say about Pilate, because he is very biased. He does not see his sister as an equal. Instead, he views her as a less because she owns nothing. Macon believes that "Pilate can’t teach [Macon] a thing [he] can use in this world" and knows nothing.
This idea of "owning things" could be problematic in regards to one's desire for power. The more you own, the more control you have. Although, Pilate is the complete opposite of this notion. She does not own anything, yet she is completely in control of her life. Macon owns many houses and properties. He is reliant on his tenants to pay their rent in order for him to have an income. Macon is not in control of his life, even though he believes he is.
Macons advise to milkman is not good because he is biased and has an obscured look on the world to begin with. Macon is materialistic and only cares about his possessions and owing things. Milkman doesn't want to be like his father which is why it is bad advice.
ReplyDeleteMacon views Pilate as inferior and doesn't like her. he is trying to influence milkman into hating her as much as he does. Because she does set herself apart from the rest of the world Macon excludes her because she has less even though she is more intelligent than Macon.
Owning things and owning people led Milkman to be a mirror image as Macon because he becomes narcissistic and only aspires to be wealthy and have possessions.
Macon’s advice to Milkman is very one-sided. The reader would think Macon is actually trying to look out for Milkman, but he seems to referring more to himself, getting Milkman to start getting ready for the business, instead of focusing more on the point he’s actually trying to make out.
ReplyDeleteI don’t trust what Macon said about Pilate, yes that is his sister, but he really isn’t on good terms with her because of the past and how they were raised.
“Owning things” can be problematic because the way it is used in the novel is more expressed as having authority and power over people around this time period that’s mainly how people used it.
Macon and Pilate are very different from each other, Macon seeks power and wealth, while Pilate “owns nothing” and is fine with being independent.
They both teach different lessons to Milkman, Pilate teaches him the value of family and happiness, whilst Macon is blunt and very serious, only focusing to keep his family legacy living.
Laura Rubio
Maybe for Macon it is but for what Milkman is trying to accomplish in his life, it isn't. One has to remember that money is basically runs Macon Jr.'s life and it is also the reason why he does not like Pilate because she has nothing compared to him. This is why you can't really trust his opinion since it's the money talking not the brain. The idea of owning things, more specifically people, almost makes it sound like being a slave owner and completely controlling people's lives. That time is long gone.
ReplyDeletePilate has given Milkman a foundation to become an independent man not like his father who is dependent on others for his happiness (tenants paying rent.) Had Milkman been more aware of Pilate's importance to his life he might've learned to appreciate the people that truly care for him and not push them away.
After reading the chapter again this lets me understand the significance of being independent while at the same time not losing those who stand with you all the way.
Jose Lopez
I agree with Maddy’s opening statement, from an economist standpoint, the advice Macon gives to Milkman is great. By “owning things and [letting] the things you own, own other things” (Pg. 55) you are thus increasing the power and control you ultimately have. However, this is not wise advice beyond a business standpoint because Macon is essentially setting up Milkman to be exactly like him – self-absorbed and power hungry. Milkman is yet another person that Macon is trying to take control of and trying to “own.” (Pg. 55)
ReplyDeleteI do not trust what Macon has to say about Pilate because it is revealed in previous chapters that he is a very cruel and dramatic character. Furthermore, Pilate talks about Macon to Milkman with nothing but good intentions. She refers to Macon as a “nice boy” (Pg. 40) who was “awful good to her.” (Pg.40) She was also reveals that Macon “saved [her]” (Pg.40) not only when she was coming out of the womb, but also when they lived in the woods after their father passed away. Therefore, how could someone be a “snake,” (Pg.54) as Macon described Pilate, yet have nothing but nice things to say about you?
The idea of “owning things” is potentially problematic because by letting the “things” you own define you as a person and represent the amount of power you have, you are fundamentally not in control. Theoretically, if Macon was to lose everything he owned or thought he owned, like Milkman, he would have nothing.
- Marissa Esparza