Thoughts

Surprisingly enough, I would actually recommend this book to anyone interested in a good read or a novel about the Holocaust and its survivors. I was amazed at how horrible situations were and the extent that the Nazis went to in order to create a "perfect" society. This book is very well written, however the language is more inclined and the chapters so far have been very descriptive. One chapter may have numerous events, and another chapter may not. No matter how boring the chapter seems to be, the book becomes increasingly more enjoyable and interesting. Sophie so far has gone through a bunch of unthinkable situations that people only fear of. Through sickness, her rape, her constant fights with Nathan, her changes in her life, her grief, her loss of loved ones, Sophie is probably one of the strongest characters I have ever read about. It's fascinating to read how she reacts and copes with each obstacle and how her perception of the world never truly falters. It will be very intriguing to continue to read the book and eventually watch the 1930s movie that put Styron's words into a film, trying to capture the elegance and sophistication of the novel.

Sophie

Stingo writes down Sophie's haunting yet interesting past of hardships. He focuses mainly on getting every detail of her story from growing up in Cracow to migrating to Brooklyn. The novel constantly alternates between Sophie's stories and the present, as Stingo's relationship with his neighbors further develops. In this chapter, Stingo learns a little bit about how Sophie was raised and her previous life, one is which was full of suffering and setbacks. She had lived in a nice house with her parents and family, and at a very young age was introduced to education and the importance of learning as her father was a professor. She married young and had a beautiful relationship with a man named Kazik. They had had such amazing plans in their future, one in which involved traveling and exploring. However, this was cut short by the war that shook up their country and their lives.

With the beginning of the war, Sophie's life changed forever. Her husband and her father were both sent to concentration camps because of their involvement with a local university. On New Year's Day, Sophie's father and her husband were shot to death in the camps, ruining her life forever as her beloveds were taken from her. Trying to cope with the loss of her loved ones, Sophie eventually moved to Brooklyn where she thought she was "safe". With barely any money to spare, she moved into Yetta Zimmerman's pink house and found a job at a nearby chiropractic center, where she was paid a decent salary. Her boss became one of her closest companions as she was able to confide in him, creating a unique but special bond.

One moment in her life completely changed her, making her feel as scummy and even more exposed as she had during her time in the camps. While riding the subway to her English classes at Brooklyn University, Sophie was raped so to say by someone when the lights went out in the subway car. She was completely mortified and didn't know how to react, feeling as though she was not safe in this new country. For a good amount of time after, Sophie began to become nauseous, dizzy, and deathly ill as her energy seemed to escape her. With her secret at the back of her mind, Sophie had no idea where her sudden change in health had originated from. Then with the help of Mr. Blackstone, her chiropractic boss, he told Sophie that he would diagnose the problem and help her out in any way he could.

Another momentous occasion in the chapter is the events leading up to her first introduction to Nathan. While still feeling ill, Sophie took the subway to the Brooklyn College library to find a poem that her English teacher, Mr. Youngstein had read to her in one of their classes. One specific verse had intrigued her, and she wanted to read more about this poet. Upon arriving at the front desk, the librarian, Sholom Weiss was completely rude and insensitive when she had asked about a particular poet. Mr. Weiss had yelled at Sophie, being ridiculous and arrogant beyond belief. Sophie eventually fainted as the event had shaken her up, and woke to a man yelling at Mr. Weiss for his cruel behavior. This man was Nathan, and he stood up for her, seeing the whole situation that occured. From that moment on, they would become friends, best friends and in the end lovers.

Stingo and Nathan's Relationship

Throughout this chapter, the relationship between Stingo and Nathan seems to deteriorate and then strengthen in a way. They continue to butt heads as Nathan's anger and double personality further develops him as a character and makes him all the more confusing. The chapters are really descriptive and not many events occur. Stingo is invited by Nathan and Sophie to go to the beach with them at Coney Island. He still has hard feelings from the night before as their little dispute has left unsettled feelings, however Nathan acts like they were never involved in an argument. With much reluctance, Stingo finally agrees to go with the couple, spending time with them. Stingo realizes that they both have an effect on each other and that neither of them can live without one another despite how much they fight. Their relationship is odd and different from anything Stingo had ever seen, however he was happy. He enjoyed their company and as Sophie puts it they were to become "the best of friends"..

Stingo learns a lot about Sophie in this chapter and the way that she came to known Nathan. She arrived to Brooklyn from concentration camps amemic, emaciated, weighing only eighty five pounds, with the scurvy, typhus and scarlet fever. Her hair was missing and she was losing her teeth as her health had greatly decreased while being in the control of the Nazis. Nathan had essentially nursed her back to health as he took her to seek help and medicines for her various illnesses. Although she was not fully one hundred percent healthy, she now weighed one hundred and ten pounds and was rid of her illnesses.

If Stingo had left Sophie and Nathan, and their bizarre habits and intense fights, there would not be a story at all to tell or a choice that would soon be uncovered..

Thoughts

There seems to be a recurring theme throughout the pages of the novel. Racism is constant through the use of the rude names and other references. I think that because of the time period, the differences between blacks and whites are evidently going to be shown. Stingo's grandmother had slaves, which to him seems like something that is so unbelievable and unethical. To people today, slavery seems like an aspect of the past, however this book really touches base with the issues of people in the earlier days.

Another issue that bothered me was the relationship between Nathan and Sophie. While Nathan is very controlling, Sophie continues to stay with him. I don't understand how anyone could stay with someone who not only yells, but puts them down at the same time. Sophie seemed like a weak child, beckoning Nathan to come back when he stormed out the building in a rage. I feel as though Nathan has made her that way, completely stripping Sophie of any integrity and self confidence she has or had. I do believe that Sophie's past has something to do with her weak personality and continuous weeping though. In my opinion however, it's ridiculous how people stay with abusers or people that hurt them physically or mentally or both. It takes strength to be that person who walks away and say "I don't need this or want this" and that person should be looked upon as amazing.

The Pink House

In Stingo's life, nothing is really shaping up to be what he expected. Now without a job or a place to live as he leaves his small apartment to find a different residence, his chances seem bleak in his somewhat dreary life. Venturing out with only forty eight dollars left, he finally finds a place to rent out, a building seeming so old that one would assume that it would have faded after years of weather damage. However, the pinkness of the building depicts a different image. Once inside the building, Stingo is introduced to the owner, Mrs. Yetta Zimmerman, who informs him of her numerous rules. Five others live in the same residence as well, and they remain a mystery until the end of the chapter. Stingo's father is introduced in a way in the second chapter. Although he is only referenced as father, he seems to play a somewhat influential role in Stingo'slife as his mother died of cancer when he was young. Stingo is informed by his father of a wealth his (Stingo's father) grandmother had left, which was supposed to be passed down to her grandchildren. However, through miscommunicatoin and confusion, the inheritance was never recovered in his father's time. Now with letters and resources, his father discovered the money and Stingo along with the eleven other grandchildren were forutunate enough to receive this money which would equal out to about five hundred dollars each.

Towards the end of the chapter, Stingo is introduced to Morris Fink who informs him of the various tenants in the building and their demeanors. Fink and Stingo seem to build a casual, comfortable relationship through a short conversation about the room that Stinog is currently living in. The residents above his room like to get what you could call "frisky" and constantly annoy Stingo. Fink can relate as his room used to be the one in which Stingo is currently living. Once becoming associated with one person in the building, Sophie and Stingo meet for the first time.

Stingo and Sophie meet in an odd circumstance as Sophie and her boyfriend, Nathan are fighting. Nathan seems to be controlling and tempermental as he yells at Sophie, calling her obsene names and degrading her with each vile word that escapes his mouth. Stingo appears and talks to Sophie, as Nathan storms out of the pink building, agitated and irate. This instance is where Stingo realizes how in love with Sophie he is and thus the two main characters meet. Before she goes up to bed after being comforted by his words, he notices the small numbers that are tattoed to her arm....the numbers that defined her in her past...the numbers that would shape the rest of the novel...the numbers that lead to a haunting past...

The Beginning

The book begins with a man named Stingo, who derived the name from his younger years when he was sent to an institution by his father. He didn't have good hygiene in his childhood, and most people called him Stinko, however the g finally meshed into the name as he developed cleaner habits. At a young age, his mother died leading to his unruly behavior and thus his enrollment in an institution by his lonesome father. Now, a southerner searching for a job in a neighborhood full of Jews, he is a poor man trying to find his way. Stinko will most likely be the protagonist of this novel, and the point of view is through him. The year is 1947 so the lifestyle is very different at that time. The language is a little more advanced than what I thought it was going to be. I hope I enjoy this book because there seems to be a lot of it to read...a solid 546 pages.

Anyway, back to the story...Stingo seems to have gained a bit of luck as he gets a job in the publishing business. He doesn't necessarily enjoy his job all that much as he reads poorly written manuscripts, and creates reviews on whether or not they should be published or moved onto the next step in the publishing business. While he makes ninety cents an hour, and lives in his ten dollar a month apartment, Stingo lives a solitary life, one in which his small apartment doesn't receive a lot of company or guests. He seems as though he is shy and doesn't reach out of his comfort zone to talk to others or escapes his everyday routine. The chapter describes his struggle to live in a city where his Southern style doesn't necessarily belong so to say. Stingo also butts heads with a man who he calls Weasel and loses the companionship of his employer, Farrell as he quits his job toward the end of the chapter. Although he leaves the office, Farrell gives him words of advice, "Son, write your guts out."  As so the story goes on......