Sociological Criticism In Jay Asher's What Light

Sociological criticism examines cultural, economical, and political aspects in literature or, more simply, is an exploration of society as presented in the novel. This is another method used in reviewing literary works. There are two distinct categories of people in Jay Asher’s What Light. The main social group portrayed in the story is characterized as teenagers attending high school, with the minor being the parents of the youth. Asher’s own particular social class is on the upper or higher area of the spectrum, but he represents the lower and middle classes in his novel. The book itself portrays a look at mostly lower income individuals. In fact, one day as Sierra observes customers wandering through the family’s tree lot she remarks, “The

Another value the book focuses on is the importance of friendship. Sierra is extremely close to her best friends Rachel, Elizabeth, and Heather. She appears to struggle with leaving both her friends in Oregon and in California. As she laments, “Even though I love where I’m going, it’s still hard to say goodbye. Knowing my best friends are counting the days until I return does make it easier” (2). An extremely critical issue, however, is seriously downplayed in this story. Caleb once attacked his sister with a knife following an argument, but Sierra focuses more on his reformation than on his faults. There is one situation in the book where Caleb could have potentially lost his temper and possibly behaved somewhat violently. As Sierra observes when Caleb is confronted by the jealous Andrew before she and Caleb go on a date, “Caleb’s jaw tightens and he looks away, like he could snap at any second and punch Andrew” (169). Domestic abuse is a very traumatic experience for anyone, regardless of gender or circumstance, however, Asher simply writes off the significance and possible danger of entering into a relationship with the attacker as easy and worthwhile. All in all,