Heavy

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While reading this novel, I experienced nothing but heartbreak. You know what will happen once the story begins, but absolutely nothing can prepare you for these emotions. "I have been beaten here, locked away, violated a hundred times...how odd it is that I am undone by the simple kindness of a small boy" (McCormick 193). Despite feelings of despair, we see small hints of joy. The style of writing reflects the emotions of our main character, Lakshmi. Look at the following words: beaten, undone, locked, violated. This word choice creates feelings of anguish. Readers can understand why the small act of kindness would have an impact on Lakshmi. Oppression forces individuals to operate in a state of survival and ignore acts of kindness. Acting in survival mode means always being defensive. Towards the end of the story, we see Lakshmi decide to break away from living in survival and begin to live. "I know that I would endure a hundred punishments to be free of this place" (McCormick 270). Despite the fear of being beat, Lakshmi knows that anything is better than her current situation. Patricia McCormick uses Crafty titles, poetic flows, and deliberate wording to create a theme of despair, heartbreak, hope, and empathy.

Excerpts allow for Middle-level students to learn about human trafficking. The story is a difficult read but shows a harsh reality. Students who learn about this content can take an active role in their safety. There are so many things to do with this resource. Students can learn about task forces in South Carolina, go on field trips, and learn to take preventive measures. I certainly see myself teaching this novel in my classroom. 

Comments

  1. Chelsea KOctober 1, 2020 at 12:35 PM

    “Towards the end of the story, we see Lakshmi decide to break away from living in survival and begin to live. "I know that I would endure a hundred punishments to be free of this place" (McCormick 270).”

    I was genuinely terrified she was not going to be able to overcome her trauma and emotional grooming when the authorities showed up. I have never yelled at a book like a sports fanatic screams at a TV screen, but I was literally up on my feet yelling “LEAVE HER! LEAVE HER AND RUN!” I kid you not, that last chapter shaved a solid year off the end of my life.

    The mental grooming aspect of the novel was one of its more distressing elements. In a culture that tends to engage in victim-blaming we hear “Why didn’t she(he) just leave?” more often than not in reference to sexually exploitative professions or incidents of domestic abuse. I love that “Sold” highlights the manipulative methods that human traffickers employ to keep their victims malleable and compliant.

    Fear, or course, is a tried and true tactic. “‘The border is a very dangerous place… there are bad men there… who might harm you’... I am afraid of [Uncle Husband]. But I also feel grateful that he will protect me from the bad border men with guns” (McCormick 76-77). Even the language they use to entice their victims into doing what they want is designed to appeal to their childish sensibilities. “Don’t be frightened… It is a pretend game. You like games, don’t you” (McCormick 77)?

    But worse than all of this is the way abusers like Mumtaz degrade, slander, and shame their victims in such a way as to instill them with the perception that they are worthless. One of the most gut wrenching lines in the book is when Lakshmi sees herself in the mirror. “...I see a girl growing old before her time. It doesn’t matter, of course. Because no one will ever want me now” (McCormick 178). This is why victims of sex trafficking rarely leave, even after they’ve grown into adults. Their abusers strip them of their sense of self worth (a perception often reinforced by cultural values) as another way to deter escape. Within the confines of the brothel these women may not be worth much, but at least they know they have some value. Society, on the other hand, has little use for these women beyond sex work once they have been “tainted” by the profession.

    Works Cited
    McCormick, Patricia. "Sold." Hyperion Paperbacks, 2006.

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  2. toriehicksOctober 1, 2020 at 8:53 PM

    A'keriah, I think that the author's word choice is such an important aspect to analyze in this novel. Throughout the novel, McCormick includes vivid imagery throughout her word choice, and even makes sentences challenging to read at times through the word choice. For example, "Then he is on top of me, and something hot and insistent is between my legs." (McCormick, 120). "Hot" and "insistent" is tough to read, especially when understanding that it is coming out of a child's mouth. No one should have to be put through these struggles, but especially not a young child. When reading this, the reader is automatically forced to understand the tough reality that this child is being put through. Reading the word "insistent" shows how demanding the man was and how refusal wasn't an option for Lakshmi.

    The words you mention, "beaten, undone, locked, violated" all show the harsh treatment that Lakshmi is experiencing, and yes, how strange it is that she finds some sort of happiness in this wretched place. The author's word choice is so powerful because of how vivid and real it is. Her word choice aiding in her purpose to show the reality of human trafficking.

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  3. Emily BridgesOctober 2, 2020 at 2:11 PM

    Hi A'keriah,
    I wanted to start by talking about your mention of victim blaming and the manipulation tactics that were used by Mumtaz and the men throughout this book. I really appreciate you making note of this, as it's something people get so wrapped up in sometimes. Sold is a very realistic account of the severity and reality of human trafficking. They told the girls that the Americans would parade them out on the street naked to embarrass them. I cannot imagine being so paralyzed with fear and manipulated like that and having somebody ask me why I didn't leave.

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  4. Callum CarrOctober 3, 2020 at 5:34 PM

    I'm so glad you said you can see yourself teaching this book in your classroom. I think it is the most emotional book we've read so far this semester, and I can see why many would not want to teach it. I also liked how you talked about the language in the book. I think because it is written in verse, and not prose, the word choice has to be even more precise, and is even more important, because there is not as much text. It goes back to the question Todd raised in class Wednesday, when he asked if 'prostitute' is the right word to use to describe Lakshmi and the other girls. Language is a very important part of these books, and I hope we can focus on it more in the future.

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