Milla Johnson Character Analysis in I Am the Messenger

Milla Johnson is the elderly woman who lives at the second address written on the Ace of Diamonds. She suffers from memory loss and confuses Ed with her late husband, Jimmy, who died in World War II. Ed immediately recognizes that she is very kind and very lonely. Ed helps her by pretending to be her husband and reading to her. Ed feels blessed to be able to spend time with her because she is so kind, showing how when he helps others, his own life improves as well.

Milla Johnson Character Timeline in I Am the Messenger

The timeline below shows where the character Milla Johnson appears in I Am the Messenger. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...second address on the card. Through the window, Ed watched the house’s one resident, an elderly woman , eat dinner all alone. Ed could tell just from watching the woman interact with... (full context)

Ed is so distracted by his worries about the old woman and whether or not she is okay that he forgets to play his turn in... (full context)

...past outside. He also sees the woman’s ID card, which reveals that her name is Milla. (full context)

Heroism, Sainthood, and Ordinariness Theme Icon

Milla and Ed sit down for dinner and Milla tells him all about her day. After... (full context)

Later that evening, when Ed goes to visit Milla, she asks him to read to her. He reads Wuthering Heights to her until she... (full context)

...won’t change what he has to do. He knows he has fulfilled his mission for Milla by giving her companionship, but now he must move on to the next address. (full context)

...finds the grave of James Johnson, who died in 1942 serving his country. Ed realizes Milla has been waiting all this time for Jimmy to finally return to her. (full context)

Purpose, Success, and Meaning Theme Icon

...sure if he can handle more missions. In the meantime, he continues to read to Milla and to watch Sophie lose at her races. Ed knows Sophie needs to somehow recreate... (full context)

Ed feels uplifted by helping Milla and Sophie, but downtrodden by the thought of the first address. He stays up late... (full context)

...he was chosen, and that some of the missions on the card, like Sophie and Milla, were uplifting. And even if the mission with the abusive man was difficult, she argues,... (full context)

...wife and daughter are now happy without their abusive father. He continues to read to Milla. He watches Sophie run her races. Then at work one night, the answer suddenly comes... (full context)

...Saturday, Ed travels around town. He invites Sophie and her family to church. He asks Milla if he can take her to church with him tomorrow. Finally, he stops at Tony... (full context)

...many more guests arrive. Ed asks to borrow Marv’s car so he can pick up Milla, even though Marv teases him for always making fun of his car. When Ed returns... (full context)

After the service, the crowd gathers for food, drink, and karaoke. Ed dances with Audrey, Milla, and Sophie. After the party, Ed and his friends clean up. Before he leaves for... (full context)

...abusive man and watches the wife and daughter eating dinner by themselves. He passes by Milla’s house and checks on Father O’Reilly. His church is not as full as it was... (full context)

...begs him to tell her about what he has been doing. He tells her about Milla and Sophie, but then realizes she has already fallen asleep. He continues to tell her... (full context)

Ed invites Audrey to the movie tomorrow, and then he goes to visit Milla. He invites her to his house on Christmas and she agrees because she has been... (full context)

...out of all the children. After lunch, Ed begins to leave to go pick up Milla. His Ma mocks him for leaving so soon, but Ed walks away from her indifferently. (full context)

Ed walks over to Milla’s home. When he arrives, she hands him a present. He apologizes that he didn’t get... (full context)

Ed calls a cab to take Milla back to her house. The cab driver turns out to be Audrey’s boyfriend, Simon. Ed... (full context)

Ed continues to return to read to Milla because he thinks she is his favorite mission. However, he also thinks Sophie, Father O’Reilly,... (full context)

Ed envisions Angelina, Milla, and Sophie. He remembers Father O’Reilly’s laughter, Angie’s ice cream, and the brotherly love of... (full context)