Shame in "Song of Solomon"

page 37
Shame had flooded [Milkman]. He had expected to feel it, but not that kind; to be embarassed, yes, but not that way. [Pilate] was the one who was ugly, dirty, poor, and drunk. The queer aunt whom his sixth-grade schoolmates teased him about and whom he hated because he felt personally responsible for her ugliness, poverty, her dirt, and her wine.

Questions:
1) If Milkman isn't responsible for Pilate's poverty and dirt, who is? Macon Dead? Pilate herself?

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