Sonny’s experienced a lot during his time at The Flowers, but perhaps the biggest aspect of Sonny’s life is also the most vague. Sonny lives in South Central Los Angeles during a very delicate and changing time period. The story highlights the issues between several ethnic groups (racial tensions) and current social values, and how they effect a growing young man. At times it seems as if the story could have taken place during the 90’s, at other times it seems to be set during the 60’s, and sometimes it could even have taken place today. But that might just be the beauty of the story -- you don’t when it took place -- it’s timeless.
Cloyd values himself as a “man” -- he provides for his family, ventures into the wild, and maintains a strong stature. He lives in a world where he expects to have a beautiful wife who cooks, cleans, and idolizes her husband. Cloyd comes from a world where the perfect son “loves sports” and responds with “yes, sir.” He’s always been the man in the house; a man who holds all the power. As owner of The Flowers apartment complex he feels he has the power to do anything, including discriminating against blacks.
Cloyd is just one of the characters that Sonny is affected by in his new home, but what creates Cloyd, and the other people around him? They are not simply average characters; they are characters that are created by the setting. Had Cloyd not lived in a town with so much black crime, would he have not been a racist? I’d like to answer this and many similar questions using Sociological Criticism.
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. Regardless of the current times and issues, he isn’t disgusted by black men like Bud or Cloyd. In fact he actually likes to communicate with them. He’s also not ashamed of the fact that he is Mexican like the twins and Nica; he actually likes it. Sonny doesn’t conform to the social standards of his time; he contrasts with them unlike any other character. Is this because of where he lives and what he’s experienced? Or is he a symbol of the changing times?
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. I was always bothered by his random bursts of anger, but now that I’ve started to divulge into the sociological critique’s perspective I’m beginning to understand his anger. It may even be the key to understanding his setting, the people around him, and the changing problems. But the more I consider the sociological perspective of the novel, the more I’m reminded that this isn’t a story which had to take place during the LA Riots, Watts Riots, or any riot at all. This setting and environment can be replicated anywhere. The issues may not concern Blacks, Mexicans, or Whites, but the fundamental characters of Cloyd, Pink, and Sonny will always be there -- it’s simply human.
Cloyd values himself as a “man” -- he provides for his family, ventures into the wild, and maintains a strong stature. He lives in a world where he expects to have a beautiful wife who cooks, cleans, and idolizes her husband. Cloyd comes from a world where the perfect son “loves sports” and responds with “yes, sir.” He’s always been the man in the house; a man who holds all the power. As owner of The Flowers apartment complex he feels he has the power to do anything, including discriminating against blacks.
Cloyd is just one of the characters that Sonny is affected by in his new home, but what creates Cloyd, and the other people around him? They are not simply average characters; they are characters that are created by the setting. Had Cloyd not lived in a town with so much black crime, would he have not been a racist? I’d like to answer this and many similar questions using Sociological Criticism.
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. Regardless of the current times and issues, he isn’t disgusted by black men like Bud or Cloyd. In fact he actually likes to communicate with them. He’s also not ashamed of the fact that he is Mexican like the twins and Nica; he actually likes it. Sonny doesn’t conform to the social standards of his time; he contrasts with them unlike any other character. Is this because of where he lives and what he’s experienced? Or is he a symbol of the changing times?
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. I was always bothered by his random bursts of anger, but now that I’ve started to divulge into the sociological critique’s perspective I’m beginning to understand his anger. It may even be the key to understanding his setting, the people around him, and the changing problems. But the more I consider the sociological perspective of the novel, the more I’m reminded that this isn’t a story which had to take place during the LA Riots, Watts Riots, or any riot at all. This setting and environment can be replicated anywhere. The issues may not concern Blacks, Mexicans, or Whites, but the fundamental characters of Cloyd, Pink, and Sonny will always be there -- it’s simply human.
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