In many ways, Milkman's journey mirrors a classic Bildungsroman, which is a tale of personal and moral growth of the protagonist. However, unlike typical heroes or heroines of such stories, Milkman reaches maturity at the age of thirty-two. Part of the reason for this delay is that Milkman enjoys the comforts of being the spoiled only child in an upper-middle-class family. Additionally, he struggles to embrace the connections and responsibilities that come with adulthood. While searching for the elusive gold, he instead uncovers his family's past: the complex legacy of his great-grandfather who left his family to return to Africa, the injustice of his grandfather's murder, his grandmother's Native American heritage, and the boy his father once was. Milkman starts to see himself as the descendant of a man who could fly, while also understanding the sacrifices involved in his great-grandfather's journey. By doing so, he acknowledges his obligations to his family and community. A pivotal moment occurs when he finds himself lost in the woods, realizing that "[a]pparently he thought he deserved only to be loved—from a distance, though—and given what he wanted. And in return he would be … what? Pleasant? Generous? Maybe all he was really saying was: I am not responsible for your pain; share your happiness with me but not your unhappiness." Milkman's path to maturity involves understanding that to truly share in others' joy, he must also share in their sorrow, and that sometimes he is indeed accountable for their suffering. This realization is what he learns throughout the novel, ultimately transforming into a mature and responsible adult.