Cynthya Serrano

English 1B

Professor Lennon
March 11, 2014

Flyin’ West Sophie’s Character Traits

                      Traits are what makes a character unique, with the ability to be different within their own nature. In the play Flyin’ West by Pearl Cleage set In Nicodemus, Kansas in fall of 1898, we are introduced to several characters with distinct character traits; one in particular being Sophie. Sophie is a slave born female, who is amongst the oldest of the sisters from the play. Sophie’s character traits can be recognized as being ambitious with regards to being optimistic, and being very astute. Sophie was born to be a leader, despite the unlawful conduct she and her beloved black people faced in Memphis. Sophie refused to be living in the shadow of those who wanted to perceive dominance over the freed blacks. Sophie was determined to move west to Nicodemus, Kansas where they can all begin new lives and become free. Sophie’s key to freedom is land ownership, which explains a part in here leaving from Memphis.

Being ambitious and optimistic is demonstrated when Sophie and her sisters move west. Moving West captures a big part in Sophie’s new beginning. After migrating to Nicodemus a revolution began within Sophie. She began to make plans for the town in which she resided. In Act 1, scene 5, Sophie embraces how ambitious and optimistic she can be. Ambitious means being determined, aspiring, and striving towards a goal. Along with being optimistic, assured, and positive about her plans and future.  In Act 1, scene 5 Sophie lays out her plans for the town to one of her sisters, Minnie. Sophie explain to Minnie how she can single-handedly speak for the town, and convince them of all the privileges they can have if they don’t sell their land to white speculators, and keep it as a striving black community. Sophie preaches about how colored woman can be free and live as they please, and how men can work for themselves rather than for others. Sophie is the definition of being ambitious and optimistic, because she sees potential in her black community to stand up against those who shun them down. These trait best describes Sophie because she is a woman of great leadership, one who can strive away from the predominance of males, and white folks. She much rather embrace independence and demonstrate passion and visions for her people.

             As a result, great leadership requires intelligence. Intelligence is being knowledgeable, and rational about situations. Which is another trait that Sophie possesses. She is intelligent in her way of thinking and recognizing opportunities. From very early on when Sophie lived in Memphis she never questioned herself when moving west, never the less her visions for Nicodemus. She never cared how others may think of her in regards to her non-sense, instead she still fought for her communities rights. Sophie had this stubborn mentality where she knew that the goals she had in mind were what was going to make Nicodemus a better place for everyone. She never let no one tell her otherwise, stubbornness was a big part of her success but her intelligent aspects brought her to her grand reward in land ownership, and respect of others. Sophie is an admirable black woman, because she empowers other women and fights for justice within her black community.
                    Furthermore, Sophie’s traits capture her essence to be ambitious, optimistic, and astute. All which conclude Sophie to be a great leader for colored women, and prospective men. My reactions towards Sophie left me with an “I am proud to be a woman” mentality. Knowing that a woman did all that she could for the best of her town is astonishing, and rewarding to feminists. At the beginning, I thought of Sophie as being exaggerating because of how she was presented in the beginning of the play with her shotgun in hand, always being startled, and often looking through the window. When in reality she was defending her own property, and her family. Sophie has to be one of my favorite characters, I fell in love with her feminism and role-model aspects she gives off; by demonstrating that “we” as women should not fall under the shadows of pre-dominant men. Rather embrace our gender and settle for nothing less than equality.