Rough Draft - What Time is It? – A Sociological Criticism

Paaras Chand

Professor Knapp

English 1B

7 March 2011

What Time is It? – A Sociological Criticism

Rough Draft

The Flowers by Dagoberto Gilb follows the life of Sonny Bravo, a young man growing up with a new family in racially tense South Central Los Angeles. Sonny is exposed to all sorts of people who all share different views about themselves and others. There are discrepancies regarding the setting's time period (60's or 90's), but that might just be the greatest jewel of Gilb's story; it could take place even today and still share the same message. Through the lens of the sociological perspective Sonny's story highlights the issues between several ethnic groups, current social trends and values, and how they affect a growing man.

Sonny's new stepfather, Cloyd Longpre, is the classical "man" -- he provides for his family, ventures into the wild, and maintains a strong stature. He values "killing things", "loves sports", and even "got [himself] married to a pretty little Mexican gal” (23, 27, 59). The only problem is that his new family doesn’t exactly follow his vision of the perfect family. Silvia, Cloyd’s new wife, “doesn’t know how to cook” nor is “she ever at home;" always “shopping.”  Sonny doesn’t respect Cloyd’s hunting “trophies” nor does he “want to play sports” (89, 26). At first Cloyd doesn’t take action on these upsetting issues, but as the story progresses he begins to show his true feelings toward both Sonny and his mother. When Sonny responds to Cloyd with “man” he shouts “don’t call me man! [Respond with sir]” (67). Silvia’s late night shopping sparks such rage within Cloyd that he “punch[es] a hole through the wall” (79).

As owner of The Flowers apartment complex, Cloyd’s always had his way, and with certain issues he is dedicated to keeping his way. When news leaks that Pink may be rooming with a black man Cloyd yells “this is my goddamn building and I can do whatever I want…I don’t want any of them here … and I’ll be sure they won’t be.” (157). Cloyd is determined to run business his way, regardless of what the current laws may state. Cloyd is the first extreme racist to enter into Sonny’s life, but he is not alone. Bud, an ex-cop and close friend to Cloyd, feels the same way about black men. Others in Sonny’s life may not share the same reaction toward black men as Cloyd, but they are affected by the presence of black men such as Mr. Zuniga who “never before talked to anyone …[but now] started a conversation with a man at a table …[while] the whole restaurant watched the two black men” (172). This racist viewpoint toward black man may be due to the fact that the story takes place in a city with so much black crime or due to the civil rights issues of the time, but racism against African Americans is not a thing of the past, it still exists in subtle ways such as Mr. Zuniga’s.

Sonny, Nica, and the twins are all Mexican, yet Sonny is different from all of them. The twins and Nica are both ashamed of their Mexican heritage. Nica often complains about how her “name is so Mexican… [Unlike] Carmen” (138). And the twins often talk about how they are of Mexican heritage but they “are not [those type of] Mexicans” (129). But Sonny isn’t ashamed of his Mexican ancestry; he is actually proud of it. He loves “Nica’s name,” “Mexican hamburgers,” and even “Mexican soap operas” (89, 170, 150). This is a recurring aspect of Sonny – he doesn’t conform to the racist views around him. At Mr. Zuniga’s restaurant he talked to the black men, even “helping them order Mexican Hamburgers” and he has no problem accepting the fact that Pink might even be black. He contrasts with those around him unlike any of the others have been able to do, yet he is by no means a perfect character. He represents innocence and acceptance in a world that is marked with prejudice.

Silvia, Sonny’s mother and Cloyd’s wife, is never home; she’s always shopping. Her long absences aren’t just noticed by Cloyd, but also others like Bud and Mary. Bud even goes as far as to confronting her by asking “Where are you off to?” and receiving a “shut door” in response” (201). Sonny also seems to doubt where she’s going, but received a similar response when he tried to confront her. But Sonny isn’t bothered by the fact that she’s out all the time, in fact he’s kind of relieved by her “shopping.” Throughout the story Sonny’s described other moms as “fat…lazy, the type that cook and watch TV all day” and he’s always contrasted that image with how “always pretty [she was today] …going shopping with her friend …to the beauty parlor” (98).  Sonny was actually worried when he began to notice his mom “started watching TV…being in the kitchen…things she never used to do” (87). Perhaps Silvia goes shopping to get away from the chains that Cloyd places on her “like an owl … a trophy for others to see” (198). “Shopping” is Silvia’s only way to get out of the house and it may show her true feelings for Cloyd. Sonny’s always doubted she loved Cloyd, saying “[he] can’t believe my mom married this dude” (89). Silvia’s not like the other females in this story and her strength in moving away from the norms of the time give a glimpse into just what social conditions are like in South Central Los Angeles.

Sonny, himself, has experienced the greatest change in this new environment. He’s never been as aggressive, committed as much theft, nor studied as hard as he is doing now. Sonny is an odd hero; at times he does very sinful things, but at other times he does very remarkable things. He feels like a young friend; caring yet quite likely to make may mistakes. He’s had his shares of experiences; seeing random colors, becoming too angry at times, and even showing unusual emotions. But all of this may have been due to this very different setting. Perhaps his experience with his past family and loss of friends has hardened him into dealing with the problems he faces. In some ways he’s become more aggressive; taking money from a stranger and even beating him. In others he’s shown he’s a caring guy; not conforming to the racist prejudice all around him. The setting may have affected whether it was blacks versus whites, but this story is timeless – replace the prejudice with something else and it can happen right here. It’s a story about humans and humans react in strange ways.