The Glass of Milk

The titular glass of milk symbolizes physical and emotional care. On the brink of starvation, the young man requests a large glass knowing he cannot pay for it. Milk is a maternal food, provided by a mother animal to its offspring, and this choice of beverage in the story similarly represents an essential, life-giving source of nutrition. The dairy worker also knows the young man can’t afford the milk and gives it freely anyway. This interaction encapsulates an anti-capitalist alternative, in which life’s necessities are provided to those who need them. As a result, the young man understands that he does not need to feel shame when the society that has starved him is the most morally shameful actor of all. The milk is accompanied by cookies, creating a meal that is generally thought of as a treat or a dessert. With this, Rojas asserts that those who are hungry don’t just deserve basic sustenance like bread and water—they also deserve nice things. The young man also receives a second serving of milk and cookies, signifying that the working class deserves abundance rather than a small ration.