Paaras Chand
Professor Knapp
English 1B
26 March 2011
What Time is It? – A Sociological Criticism
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, fits the “classical man” archetype -- 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). He comes from a world where the man has complete power over his family, and any violation of this strict “balance of power” is insulting. A family, through Cloyd’s eyes, should be comprised of a loving wife who takes care of the home, and a son who respects his father as a role model. The only problem is that his new family doesn’t exactly follow his definition. 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 lose his patience. 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. Cloyd is a white man in Los Angeles and despises African Americans. When news leaks that Pink, a “white” (or even albino) man, may be sharing his room 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 definitely 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). Throughout the story Sonny meets people of just about every race in South Central Los Angeles, but very few of these races live with one another. Even in a story placed in a semi-modern time, the city is very racially segregated; Mexicans prefer to live with Mexicans, Whites with Whites, and Blacks with Blacks. Cloyd has become accustomed to living with Mexicans because “they don’t cause any trouble,” but still doesn’t “want any of them [African Americans] here” (158).
Sonny, Nica, Mike, and Joe are all Mexican, yet Sonny is different from all of them. The twins and Nica are both ashamed of their Mexican heritage, while Sonny is indifferent toward it – in fact, he’s actually proud of it. Nica often complains about how her “name is so Mexican… [Unlike] Carmen” (138). The twins often talk about how they are of Mexican heritage but they “are not [those type of] Mexicans” (129). But Sonny 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 (198). 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. None of the characters know where Silvia spends her “shopping time,” but none of them believe she’s actually “shopping.” When Bud asks “where are you off too [he gets] … a shut door [in response]” (210). Sonny believes his mother may be spending time with her friend, Nelly, because “she smelled of alcohol and cigarettes” (229). While Bud and Cloyd are suspicious about Silvia’s actions, 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). In fact, he 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 this may reflect her true feelings regarding 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 the story; she doesn’t conform to the social norms of this time period. A woman is painted as a figure which stays at home while her husband provides for her and her family. However Silvia is always shopping; spending money which she doesn’t even make anymore. The other women such as Mary look up to Silvia not only because she is a very “beautiful woman” but also because she’s not afraid to go against Cloyd and do things he wouldn’t approve of. Silvia and Sonny are quite similar; they don’t conform to the current trends and social values.
Riots are nothing new for Los Angeles, but they symbolize more than just intense feelings – they symbolize social change. As the riots began Silvia begins to show her motherly side toward Sonny when “Bud [takes] down both of [them]. Pinning [them] to the floor… [Silvia] repeat[s] “I won’t let you go!” (240). Of Ironically she leaves right after Bud is gone, but still begs for Sonny to “not do anything until [she] come[s] back” (241). Upon news of the Bud incident, Cloyd begins to show part of his fatherly side as well, even apologizing to Sonny for Bud’s actions; “It shouldn’t have happened and I’m sorry…You don’t have to call me sir” (243). It’s interesting to note that when there was only speculation of black men living in the apartment, Cloyd boasted about how he “would make sure they didn’t come to my goddamn building” (145). But as the riots began to envelope his own apartment room, he hides behind a door with rifles in his hand. Sonny doesn’t share the moment of crisis with his new family, he runs to save Nica from the patriarchal kingdom of her father. When he finally gets Nica to the “bus station…[he says] I can’t go with you;” he did what was best for her (249).
Sonny is an odd hero; sometimes he can be a criminal, sometimes he can be a criminal, and sometimes he can even be confused. He feels like a young friend; caring, yet quite likely to make many 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 the hard atmosphere of South Central Los Angeles. Perhaps his experience with his past, family, and loss of friends has hardened him into dealing with the problems he faces. This story may have revolved around the social tensions of blacks and whites, but the message 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.
Works Cited
Gilb, Dagoberto. The Flowers. New York: Grove, 2008. Print.
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