A life changing summer in Sag Harbor?

    

As I read Sag Harbor, I couldn’t help but wonder how the events in this novel played into the coming-of-age theme. Was this summer defining for Benji? What makes adult Ben want to tell this story?

One of the main changes during this summer for Benji is his relationship with his little brother, Reggie. Benji and Reggie in the past were inseparable and often confused for twins. In the first chapter, Benji says “we had recently ceased to be twins” (Whitehead 6). He describes Reggie’s desire to not be the little brother any longer, and agrees that it is better that way, although it seems he may not be as happy as he pictures. This separation from his brother makes Benji feel off when they arrive at Sag Harbor and their traditions are not upheld. When Benji goes to get Reggie for their annual scope of Sag, he finds his brother hunched over a pair of Filas, a part of the current shoe trend. Benji seems to feel disconnected and a bit melancholy, as his brother appears to have moved on from their childhood routines. Sag Harbor is characterized by its wealthy African American population, and the culture passed through its generations. However, as Benji grows up in the 1980’s, and the street culture rapidly changes, he struggles to keep up with the other kids in Sag Harbor. Throughout the rest of the book, Benji’s attachment to the past in conflict with his desire to be perceived as grown up, sets him apart from his friends.

In the last chapter of Sag Harbor, Benji returns to his childhood Sag Harbor home, the Hempstead House. He is there with Melanie, who appears to represent growing up, having been his first kiss as a child and now once again as a new high schooler. While in the house, he paints a nostalgic and fond picture of his time there, even saying “my long lost love, was a house” (Whitehead 293). Sitting on his old bed with Melanie, it seems clear as ever that Benji is caught in the past. But, after all of his nostalgic words, he says “of course it never happened. But that was WLNG for you. Got you everytime” (Whitehead 303). Of course, the fantasy that Benji created did not line up with what we know of his family, but his emotion appears so real that the reader wants to believe it is true. So what is Benji so afraid of letting go? Is it the ability to pretend everything was fine? Or is he longing for something he never had? Either way, the novel ends with Benji setting goals for the coming school year, and it is unclear whether his dilemna has been solved.