As I read the novel, The Flowers, I noticed how Sonny gained maturity through his teenage issues and overcame obstacles as a stepchild and only son. Sonny experiences many changes throughout the story. For example, he learns some French, he dislikes Cloyd more as each day passes, loses his virginity, falls for the girl next door, and he also majorly improves his bowling skills. Sonny is a typical American teen who loves cheeseburgers, engaging in risky behaviors, and simply hanging out with his friends. I’m sure most readers can relate to Sonny, as they all have something in common that they did in their teens, like driving for the first time and feeling nervous around a crush. Most people have experienced some sort of influence from the people in our lives, just like Sonny. I feel as I observed changes in Sonny it reminded me of typical high school students. As the story progressed, I learned that Sonny is an average teenager who is easily influenced, learns lessons and grows wiser through the issues he faces.
Since day one, Sonny had been playing games with Cloyd’s mind. Sonny tricked him into thinking that he wanted to visit Notre Dame. He even went so far as to get a French book from the twins and learn the language of the people. Learning French didn’t do much to budge Cloyd’s thoughts, he even forgot completely about Sonny’s dream to travel, but it did help charm Sonny’s crush, Nica. Cloyd made Sonny clean the whole apartment complex without salary, but Sonny got back at him by stealing Cloyd’s money from his office. Sonny didn’t know what he wanted to do with the money at the time, but he knew he’d save it for something special. If I were in Sonny’s shoes, I would save the money until I really needed it for something important. Cloyd also complains about Sonny from time to time, and Sylvia, Sonny’s mother, tells Sonny about the complaints. Cloyd would also talk about his mother. “One time I heard Cloyd on the phone. He said, 'i love to eat them tacos, and now I even got myself married to a pretty little Mexican gal.' He said that. Really. The dude who my mom married.” (51). By the time that Sonny finds this out, he really starts to dislike Cloyd. Cloyd is very strict, he and Sonny have mutual hatred and the only thing keeping them together is Syliva. Sonny seemed to have gained tolerance from seeing the negativity coming from Cloyd, in a way that Cloyd was his anti-role model. From the negativity that was brought upon Sonny, he learned that not everybody he encounters is going to agree with him, and he learned how to deal with it.
Sonny loses his virginity from the girl upstairs because, well she isn’t the classiest person on the planet and Sonny is a normal teenage boy whose hormones control his actions sometimes. The girl is lonely, and always feels the need for Sonny’s company when her husband is away. Sonny doesn’t take advantage of her because she is the one to always come onto him. I could also tell that Sonny had some respect for her even though she acts the way she does. I saw this through the stories he would tell his friends, “'for being in her apartment?' I asked... 'once you were in there, yeah, how could you not cork his wife?' said Joe” (136). he never got very specific with the details but they’d still go crazy. Sonny matures through his visits with her, because eventually he stops when he starts to like Nica. I can relate to this because I know many guys my age who like plenty of girls and if they have a girl on the side who’s willing to give them what they want, they’re gonna keep her. Sonny acts mature in this situation because he is willing to move on and solely focus on Nica.
As Sonny gets closer to Nica, he starts to make decisions with his mind and not with his body. He listens to what she has to say, and sometimes he gets an urge to kiss her but doesn’t. He falls for the typical girl next door, but not for what she is willing to give. He likes her personality, the way she speaks, her beauty, her shyness and her secure bubble she’s used to. He wants to take her out and show her new things, like pizza and bowling. Most of all he wants to show her how to love and be loved. Nica likes Sonny as well, and she smiles every time a French word comes out of his mouth. “'Je t'aime,' I said. And it made me smile. 'Cause I didn't know what else to say or how, and that's what finally came to me. It didn't make me laugh but it did make me feel better, and it made her smile so much” (249) I think the two of them relate because of their culture, where they live, their age, and they both have stepfathers. Sonny can view Nica as a future mother-figure because she takes care of Angel. It shows that she is responsible and is home whenever Angel needs her, unlike Sylvia in Sonny’s case. Nica had a positive influence on Sonny because she made him want to be a better person.
Sylvia goes out and does whatever she wants, and it teaches Sonny to do the same. Sonny likes to walk the streets, eat American food, crack jokes, and go bowling. He spends much time at the bowling alley when things aren’t quite right at home. It’s his getaway time, just a place to think alone. I believe many people have a place where they can go to have some time to their selves, just like Sonny. During his time at the bowling alley, he learns how to speak with respect. His conversations with the Zunigas are enjoyable, but they don’t let him curse in their fun zone. They also reward him with free games and delicious food. If I got the same thing when I went to a bowling alley, I’m sure I would go back more often as well. The Zunigas have a positive effect on Sonny because they teach him in a lesson in respect.
Sonny learns a lesson from Josep as well when he tells Sonny and Nica about a girl from Russia. Josep was spending time with Sasha, it could be called a date. They’re having a lovely time on a boat, when suddenly Josep spots a dead dog floating in the river. At first, Josep hopes that Sasha doesn’t see the dog, but they float closer and her eyes fall upon the dead dog. The situation turns out differently as Josep explains further, “But it is not as you are thinking. Instead of wanting to leave, Sasha moves closer to me. Closer. She puts her arm around me, and she rests her hair on my shoulder, and I put my arm around her, which she wants. Now it is better! The dog is dead, yet I am lucky because I am in love and I feel as a man full of his strength” (130). To me, this story gave a good message. It means that even though someone is put into a tough situation with another person, it should be a time where they can use each other for comfort. Through the trouble one experiences with another, it draws them closer than they were before.
The Flowers is an excellent book that teaches many lessons. Sonny is an interesting character who relates to everyone some way or another. I enjoyed reading about how Sonny deals with his problems, because when he would learn something new, it gave me some satisfaction knowing that he was becoming a better person. It showed how people are influenced by the people surrounding them, even minor characters have an impact on how people go about their lives. The people who Sonny encountered, helped shape him in into a responsible young adult. Along with the maturity he gained, he also learned how to be happy for others as well as himself.
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