“Better Off Without You”
In “So I Ain’t No Good Girl”, Sharon Flake introduces a protagonist who seems to be attached to her rude boyfriend. Sharon writes about a girl who is stuck with a slightly abusive boyfriend. “So I Ain’t No Good Girl” is part of a series of short stories called “Who Am I Without Him?” which is about girls and the guys in their lives. In her story, Sharon Flake develops the characters by demonstrating the complicated relationship Raheem and the protagonist have.
Flake makes it seem like the protagonist has a submissive personality when she is with her boyfriend. For example, she says “I give in, tell him what he wants to hear.” Instead of making the protagonist fight back, the author makes her give in to Raheem to please him even when he’s in the wrong. Later, she asks herself, “Who I’m gonna be without him?” Sharon writes the protagonist’s feelings like she’s nothing without him. She makes it seem …show more content…
For example, “He turns away from me and starts walking. But he don’t get far- I don’t let him. I apologize.” If Sharon made the protagonist let him go instead of running after him, the readers would not be able to see that she is desperate for him. Also when Raheem takes her money, she tries to argue, “Don’t be going in my…” “What’s mine is yours isn’t it?” Through these words, Sharon is able to show that Raheem takes advantage of their relationship. If she hadn’t added that short conversation, it would be harder for the readers to tell what Raheem thinks of their partnership.
Like previously stated, Raheem and the protagonist are shown to have a complex relationship. It’s shown many times through Sharon’s story of how the act and think of each other. Even though it’s not stated, the readers are able to make inferences through her
In “So I Ain’t No Good Girl”, Sharon Flake introduces a protagonist who seems to be attached to her rude boyfriend. Sharon writes about a girl who is stuck with a slightly abusive boyfriend. “So I Ain’t No Good Girl” is part of a series of short stories called “Who Am I Without Him?” which is about girls and the guys in their lives. In her story, Sharon Flake develops the characters by demonstrating the complicated relationship Raheem and the protagonist have.
Flake makes it seem like the protagonist has a submissive personality when she is with her boyfriend. For example, she says “I give in, tell him what he wants to hear.” Instead of making the protagonist fight back, the author makes her give in to Raheem to please him even when he’s in the wrong. Later, she asks herself, “Who I’m gonna be without him?” Sharon writes the protagonist’s feelings like she’s nothing without him. She makes it seem …show more content…
For example, “He turns away from me and starts walking. But he don’t get far- I don’t let him. I apologize.” If Sharon made the protagonist let him go instead of running after him, the readers would not be able to see that she is desperate for him. Also when Raheem takes her money, she tries to argue, “Don’t be going in my…” “What’s mine is yours isn’t it?” Through these words, Sharon is able to show that Raheem takes advantage of their relationship. If she hadn’t added that short conversation, it would be harder for the readers to tell what Raheem thinks of their partnership.
Like previously stated, Raheem and the protagonist are shown to have a complex relationship. It’s shown many times through Sharon’s story of how the act and think of each other. Even though it’s not stated, the readers are able to make inferences through her