Easy's Name example essay topic

A Social Aspects of Lit 04/22/05 Lavender Lavender is a mystery that unfolds in a way not atypical of other mystery stories, but sets itself apart by defying certain characteristics and conventions. There are many details to the plot (mainly to the descriptions of the characters) that are unexpected and deny the reader a chance to confirm their stereotypes about who a detective is, how they should act, and what they should look like. Specifically, in the role of the unconventional protagonist (detective? ), Easy Rawlins is so surprisingly human, honestly cowardly, and unromantically realistic that the story seems plausible to the point of disappointment that the characters aren't actually real. Easy somewhat reminds me of Walter from "A Raisin in the Sun": He's an intelligent black man living in a big city, he has problems with his marriage and he works a blue collar job (also, I could see Sidney Poitier or Danny Glover, both of whom have played Walter, playing him in a film version instead of Denzel Washington, who took on the part of Easy in the film adaptation of "Devil in a Blue Dress"). Many of the characters in "Lavender" appear in other works by Walter Mosley (this is the first one that I've read however).

In this story Easy learns of his friend Mouse's death, which he is somewhat responsible for (though it is not explained in Lavender, I'm guessing it is in an earlier tale). I wonder if he still would have helped Etta Mae find Willis if he hadn't felt obligated to because of his part in her husband's (Mouse) death, and because of his discovery of Bonnie's alleged infidelity. My guess is probably not since Easy seems to be rather self absorbed (but to be fair, who isn't?) Willis is an amusing character in that I can relate to him easily. I too love playing music, and I've fallen for the wrong kind of girls before, though none as appropriately named as Sin. Mosley's employment of creative and nuanced names for his characters is interesting. Willis for example, chooses the alias Little Jimmy Long, a name that suggests to me that while he may be poor, young and na " ive; while he may be. ".. a poor black child in a white man's world".

(181), his talent and personality will take him to greater heights (I'm somewhat alluding to Etta's comparing the success of Louis Armstrong to. ".. a string of black boys' graves go in' around the block". {181}). Easy's name is probably adumbrative of his street smarts, his willingness to put himself into a dangerous situation, and his ability to vent and mourn to a quick emotional closure (.".. I knew that my time of mourning was near an end". {198}).

Abel Snow, who does the dirty work for the also aptly named Mr. Merchant, is another great example of this. He is willing and able to do his foul deeds, and he has an icy disposition. Overall, I found that the story had a timeless, gritty quality to it, typical of noir. Easy is a great character, not a typical hero or detective, but more of an average Joe who just so happens to lead a double life, one of danger and intrigue that requires all of his cunning and sagacity, and another as a somewhat ordinary family man. It is how these identities collide in the story that gives it such a great rhythm: Bonnie's lies, the rosebushes (representing his affection, trust, and comfort with his home life), his "street-n talk" (194) to his wife, as well as his going home at odd hours, and finally his paternal sense towards Willis.

The quality of this story, especially in its detail, has made a fan out of me. I look forward to reading other books in this series.