Sag Harbor, written by Colson Whitehead, is a mixture of autobiographical accounts and imagination of the writer. The story describes the adventurous summer vacation experiences of the protagonist Benji copper on long Island. Experience includes social gathering with old companions, getting a job in an ice- cream parlor, playing with BB gun, attending a show in the night club, first kiss with Melanie, and the attendance of labor day party.
The setting of the Novel has a lucky African-America teen, Benji Cooper, having an inherited summer house at Azurest, on long Island in 1985. He has the opportunity to attend a white prep school in Manhattan and has white friends. One of his friends, Randy, has a car that helps him to visit the far off places. An old companion, NP, helps him to attend the show in the night club. All these experiences show that Benji has the opportunity to make his life adaptable and enjoyable.
Benji Cooper is a 15-year-old African-American child, the narrator of the story. He is a keen observer of life and very energetic to learn. He is hopeful of his life and pretty much interested to understand the life-style. His feelings and thoughts are reflecting through his actions and decision-making. His physical appearance and aspiration of becoming a cool guy are very high. His parents are not overseeing him, so he has the liberty to make choices and explore his life as much as he can.
Cooper's family is familiar with spending his summer on his beach house. In the year 1985, Benji and his younger brother Reggie are staying there alone. Summer vacation is a get-together for all friends. Through Randy's car, they reached a far off beach where girls take sunbathe with their tops off. Benji gets a job at an ice-cream parlor to pay for his enjoyment. Unfortunately, an accident occurs while playing with a BB gun, leave a sign of his face for his whole life. Benji tries his best to convince, of getting entry to the nightclub, but he fails, and one of his friends helps him to get in. Meeting with Melanie and spending time with her is the most romantic event in the story. It is also a memorable event for Benji's life. Attending of labor day and noticing of all around is the las experience explained in the story. The experience of freedom and excitement is at the height level this summer. These experiences help him to create an understanding of the world around him.
The story beautifully explains different themes, such as identity, young love, hate, race, class, and cultural conflicts. Benji is struggling with his identity. He wants to be called Ben, but he fails. He wants to fit in the changing culture, but he is unable to master the tricks and techniques. He establishes a cordial relationship with Melanie. She is dating Nick, a friend of Benji. She helps Benji to remind the old memories of the old beach house. Studying of Benji and his younger brother in white prep school is unpredictable. They have been considered the children of African diplomates mistakenly. Benji's father is an alcoholic, and he always criticizes white people for his failure in life. Benji's observations help him to investigate the exact place for himself in this orderly world.
