At age 14, Milkman feels physically inadequate:one leg is shorter, he has no mustache. Of what deeper lack of ease is this symbolic?

Milkman tries to conceal his shorter leg. From this we can understand that his physical challenges are also his emotional challenges. Milkman feels alienated from black and white society. Although his family loves him unconditionally, Milkman chooses to treat them like his physical shortcomings which causes his family much pain.