Sociological Analysis Of Lauren Olamina

Angelina Espinosa
Dr. Sutler-Cohen
Sociology 101
May 6, 2016 Given the age of Lauren Olamina, I would say that I do find her a very believable character. I find her to be mature beyond her years. Throughout pages 3-133 Lauren expresses grown up thoughts, emotions and actions. There are certain areas in the book where you can hear Lauren’s common sense, and almost can tell not even many adults in her life have the same senses as she does. An example is how she knows how wrong it is that Tracy Dunn had been raped and impregnated by her uncle, Lauren sees this as being the uncles fault and is disgusted. While Tracy’s mother seemingly blames her because that was her favorite brother and did not want him to have to leave their community
(pg.33). Which also gave me as a reader a perspective into the type of community she is living in. Lauren’s hyper-empathy maybe a reason why she is also more aware as she is feeling the feelings that others feel and going through the same pain, which makes her seem more aware. In the beginning of the book we find out that Lauren is twelve years old (pg.32). As I have read on I hear Lauren growing and maturing even more so than when the book begins. She suggests Tracy Dunn’s little girl Amy should join her mother Cory’s class. I feel she did this because she saw Amy as neglected but not only that but could feel the sadness of little Amy Dunn, and wanted to give her some attention that her family had not. This quickly made me reflect on the website because, Lauren helped me realize what the negative aspects are of her dystopic society. It was also like Lauren lived almost in another world and did not venture much outside of her community because, of sights she had seen it seemed to had scared her. Additionally, Lauren is able to recall certain situations that lead up to events that have impacted her life whether it is from stories she has been told to what her own eyes have seen or ears have heard. I do find that some not all of Lauren’s responses come naturally due to the community she lives within. An example of this is when she compares how she could be pregnant just like Bianca Montoya if she wanted to be (pg.86). I feel like she said this because it is not an uncommon thing girls in the neighborhood might do to keep a boyfriend or a guy that they may like a lot. I think the reason she would not want to be pregnant is because she knows that is way that she will be trapped in her society. She also speaks about how the only pleasure she gets from the area she lives in is sex (pg.12). I feel like that was brought into her story to show the type of maturity level she has. She can speak about it as if it is so normal for somebody of her age, given her community it is understandable.
In some ways though I see that Laurens responses do not come naturally due to her community.
The reasons why I think this are she has so many thoughts and feelings she shares after she gets new information that lead me to believe she has a strong sense of self awareness and tries to make sure she stays on the right path as much as possible. An example inviting little Amy Dunn into her mother Cory’s school and taking on the responsibilities to care for her while in class. Even Amy Dunn’s mother did not seem like she was very responsible, but Lauren is different and a year younger. Lauren can also see that it is much better for you to stay out of trouble and make sure you listen to your parents for the most part. Whereas many kids in her neighborhood are not Lauren is actually trying her best to build something and survive. These decisions are almost unnatural in her community. Lauren is making choices that will let her have a better future whereas for example her brother Keith could not wait to leave and when he got the chanced he did not live inside of his community any more, but rather joined a worse one. Keith ends up being murdered because he chooses a different type of life one that would come more naturally to him having lived in the same community as Lauren. The difference ends up being that Lauren tries to make more positive future choices and Keith wanted everything right then and there without too much work and was ready to mature into a man as fast as possible. In her dystopian society I can hear that she feels trapped. Which makes me think of (pg.22 of text) through consistent communication people of the community can construct, reaffirm and alter the reality of their society. Positive accomplishments can happen if everyone is willing to communicate and reshape their society. Lauren is doing this through her actions that are not so
typical. I can find Lauren believable given her age but also her situations she has faced in her life time. I believe she would not lie or over exaggerated I think she wrote her journal to remember. Lauren will be able look back to what has happened in her past as reminders that she is still pushing forward trying to see where life will end up taking her on her path. I really see this dystopic life as one that is hard and controlled by fear and oppression.
Works Cited:
• Butler, O. E. (2000). Parable of the sower. New York: Warner Books.
• Newman, D. M. (2016). Sociology: Exploring the architecture of everyday life. pg.22
• Dystopias: Definition and Characteristics. (n.d.). Retrieved May 06, 2016, from
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson926/DefinitionCharacteristics.pdf