Lavender :: essays research papers

LavenderLavender is a mystery that unfolds in a representation not atypical of separate 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 round who a detective is, how they should act, and what they should look like. Specifically, in the role of the unconventional garter (detective?), easily Rawlins is so surprisingly human, honestly cowardly, and unromantically realistic that the layer seems plausible to the point of disappointment that the characters arent actually real. Easy pretty reminds me of Walter from A Raisin in the Sun Hes an intelligent dark man living in a big city, he has problems with his marriage ceremony 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 De nzel Washington, who took on the part of Easy in the film adaptation of Devil in a risque Dress). Many of the characters in Lavender appear in other works by Walter Mosley (this is the first one that Ive read however). In this story Easy learns of his friend Mouses death, which he is close to responsible for (though it is not explained in Lavender, Im guessing it is in an earlier tale). I wonder if he still would have helped EttaMae muster up Willis if he hadnt felt obligated to because of his part in her hubbys (Mouse) death, and because of his discovery of Bonnies alleged infidelity. My guess is probably not since Easy seems to be rather self absorbed (but to be fair, who isnt?)Willis is an amusing character in that I can partake to him easily. I too love playing music, and Ive fallen for the unseasonable kind of girls before, though none as appropriately named as Sin. Mosleys employment of creative and nuanced names for his characters is interesting. Willis for example, ch ooses the alias Little Jimmy Long, a name that suggests to me that while he may be poor, young and nave while he may be a poor caustic child in a white mans world.(181), his giving and personality will take him to greater heights (Im slimly alluding to Ettas comparing the success of Louis Armstrong to a string of black boys sculpt goin around the block.