Milkman throughout the first half of the novel tries so hard to separate himself from the ideals of his father. Macon is obsessed with accumulated wealth and power, as seen with his new obsession of acquiring Pilate’s gold. It is ironic how Milkman seems to no longer recognize the man his father has become, when in reality Milkman is also driven by wealth and money like his father. This only further instills the main theme of how Milkman in reality no matter how hard he tries to distinguish himself from his father is just like him. Likewise, this case of irony only further helps highlight how gold is a major symbol in Song of Solomon, by using it as a way to connect character is carry the main theme of the
