In the novel Song of Solomon, Toni Morrison chooses to explore the idea of masculinity hand in hand with the idea of maturity using Milkman as the prime example of how masculinity does not equal maturity. In the first section of the novel, Milkman uses his gender to his advantage, flaunting the type of masculinity that he has. He sees himself as an ultimate male, one who fulfills this idea of masculinity with drinking and girls. While Milkman does not necessarily see himself as attractive, when he is considering getting married, he believes “There were lots of women around, and he was a very eligible bachelor..” This reinforced his satisfaction with the level that his masculinity was at, but it also reinforced his maturity level. The way that