The Search For Identity In Milkweed By Jerry Spinelli

In the novel Milkweed, by Jerry Spinelli, our main character goes through many identities which change his perspective on life. In this book, he lives in Warsaw, Poland during World War ll and has to overcome many obstacles to survive the harsh living conditions surrounding him. These include starvation, loneliness, and his constant search for his identity. His identity gives him the strength to survive. As the story progressed, it became clear that the key to survival was the need to own some sort of identity to rely on. The theme that Spinelli was trying to get across was the search for identity. As Jerry Spinelli stated at the end of the book, “Now I am.” Our character had two identities at the beginning of the novel. The book begins in

Near the middle of the book, Uri gave him this important name. The name Uri had provided was not just a name, Uri also gave Misha a life before he was in Warsaw, Poland. Uri told him he had a great family and he had a horse named Greta. Misha believed this, as it helped him understand what family is and fill the spots in his memory that have been forgotten. This is important because it gives Misha something to live for. In the middle of the story, he also befriends the Milgrom family. When taken to the Ghetto, he stayed with them. To thank them for their hospitality, he would sneak out at night and bring them food. The name Misha defined how Misha changed from an oblivious kid to a kid who can survive by himself and help others that aren’t able to fully help themselves. Through these rough times, Misha knew who he was and knew that he had to be the strength to survive. He became part of the Milgrom family when Uncle Shepsel said, “He’s not family!“ Then, Mr. Milgrom responded by saying, “He is now.” This shows that they accepted him into their family, now making him Misha Milgrom. Thus, in the middle of the novel, Misha was able to find out an identity that changed his viewpoint on