Book Review of Street Corner Society

WANG Yiwen

Introduction

William Foote Whyte's "Street Corner Society" is a seminal sociological study that

examines the social structure of Cornerville, an Italian slum. Originally published in

1943 and now in its fourth edition, the book offers an immersive exploration of the

community, its residents, and their interactions. Whyte's approach to studying

Cornerville is highly immersive and ethnographic. He spends several years living

among the residents, observing their interactions, and gaining an intimate

understanding of their lives. This firsthand engagement allows him to provide a

nuanced and authentic portrayal of the social fabric of the community.

The book is divided into three parts, each focusing on different aspects of

Cornerville's social structure. The first part delves into the lives of the "corner boys"

and "college boys," two distinct groups within the community. Whyte introduces us to

Doc, a gang leader, and his boys, shedding light on their activities, social rankings,

and the influence of external factors like the Aphrodite Club. Through detailed

narratives, the author captures the disintegration of the gang, illustrating the fragility

of social structures within such slum communities.

The second part of the book shifts focus to racketeers and politicians in Cornerville.

Whyte examines the social structure of racketeering, tracing its historical roots and

exploring its organization. He delves into the relationships between racketeers and the

police, providing a fascinating glimpse into the social setting in which these illegal
activities take place. Furthermore, the author investigates the role of politics in

shaping the community, highlighting the changing nature of political organization and

the obligations associated with it.

In the third part, Whyte concludes his study by offering a comprehensive analysis of

the social structure of Cornerville. He explores the relationship between the gang and

the individual, delving into concepts of loyalty and social mobility. The author also

addresses the challenges faced by the community, presenting a thought-provoking

discussion on the problems of Cornerville.

While "Street Corner Society" stands as a significant contribution to urban sociology,

it does have limits, particularly in terms of data collection methods and their

implications for the study's findings.

Strengths and Limitations

Whyte spent several years living in Cornerville, immersing himself in the community

to gain firsthand experiences and observations. This ethnographic approach allowed

Whyte to develop a deep understanding of the social dynamics and complexities

within the slum. Through participant observation, he was able to witness and

document the day-to-day lives of the residents, their interactions, and the social

structures that emerged. spent several years living in Cornerville, immersing himself

in the community to gain firsthand experiences and observations. This ethnographic

approach allowed Whyte to develop a deep understanding of the social dynamics and

complexities within the slum. Through participant observation, he was able to witness

and document the day-to-day lives of the residents, their interactions, and the social
structures that emerged. This proximity facilitated a more authentic portrayal of the

social fabric of Cornerville, providing rich insights into the lives of the corner boys,

college boys, racketeers, and other individuals within the community.

Whyte's use of participant observation is exemplified in his exploration of the gang

dynamics within Cornerville. He introduces readers to Doc, a gang leader, and his

boys, describing their activities, social rankings, and the impact of external factors

such as the Aphrodite Club. Through detailed narratives and firsthand accounts,

Whyte captures the complexities of gang membership and the interplay between

individual aspirations and collective identity. For example, he describes how the

corner boys engage in activities like bowling, which serve as a means of establishing

social hierarchies within the gang. This rich ethnographic data allows readers to

develop a comprehensive understanding of the inner workings of the gang and its

significance within the community.

However, while participant observation offers valuable insights, it is important to

acknowledge its limitations. The presence of an observer can sometimes influence the

behavior of the observed. In the context of "Street Corner Society," the awareness of

Whyte's presence and his role as a researcher may have influenced the interactions

and behaviors of the residents. This potential bias should be considered when

interpreting the findings and generalizing them to other similar contexts.

In addition to participant observation, Whyte also employed interviews and informal

conversations as data collection methods. These interactions provided him with a

deeper understanding of the residents' perspectives, motivations, and experiences.

They allowed for the exploration of individual stories and the uncovering of personal

narratives within the broader social structure. By incorporating these qualitative

interviews, Whyte adds depth and nuance to his analysis, offering readers a more

comprehensive understanding of the lives and aspirations of the individuals within

Cornerville.

Examples Analysis

Example 1: Whyte extensively interviews Chick Morelli, a central character in the

community, to explore his experiences, ambitions, and involvement in organizing a

club. Through these interviews, Whyte captures Chick's aspirations for social mobility

and his desire to improve the community's conditions. This example underscores the

individual agency and aspirations present within marginalized communities. By

focusing on Chick Morelli's experiences and aspirations, Whyte humanizes the

residents and highlights their desire for personal growth and social change. This

insight challenges stereotypes and provides a nuanced understanding of the

motivations and aspirations of individuals living in marginalized contexts. It

emphasizes the importance of considering individual agency and aspirations when

examining the dynamics of such communities.

Example 2: In the book, Whyte explores the importance of activities like bowling as a

means of establishing status within the gang. He describes how the gang members

engage in regular bowling competitions and how their performance in these

competitions affects their social standing within the group. Those who excel at

bowling are respected and admired, while those who struggle are often marginalized.
This example highlights the role of symbolic activities in shaping social hierarchies

within marginalized communities. It suggests that even in the absence of conventional

markers of status and achievement, such as education or wealth, individuals within the

gang find alternative avenues, like bowling, to establish their worth and gain

recognition. This insight sheds light on the complex dynamics of status and social

positioning within marginalized groups and the significance of shared activities in

shaping those dynamics.

These examples demonstrate the value of Whyte's qualitative approach, which allows

for a deep exploration of individual experiences and the complexities of social

interactions within the Cornerville community.

However, it is important to note that the selection of interviewees and the subjective

interpretation of their accounts can introduce biases into the study. Whyte's choices in

whom to interview and the weight given to their perspectives may influence the

overall portrayal of Cornerville and its social structure. Additionally, the subjective

interpretation of interview responses can be influenced by the researcher's own

assumptions and preconceived notions. These potential biases should be considered

when analyzing the findings presented in the book.

While Whyte's ethnographic approach provides valuable insights, it is crucial to

acknowledge the limitations of his data collection methods. The study's focus on a

specific Italian slum and the small sample size restrict the generalizability of the

findings to broader contexts. Additionally, the lack of diversity in the sample,

particularly in terms of gender and ethnic representation, limits the

comprehensiveness of the study's conclusions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Street Corner Society" by William Foote Whyte is a groundbreaking

sociological study that provides a detailed exploration of the social structure within

Cornerville. Whyte's use of participant observation, interviews, and informal

conversations offers rich insights into the lives, interactions, and aspirations of the

residents. The book's ethnographic approach allows for a nuanced understanding of

the social dynamics within the Italian slum. However, it is important to critically

assess the data collection methods employed, considering potential biases and

limitations. Despite these limitations, "Street Corner Society" remains a significant

contribution to the field of urban sociology, shedding light onthe complexities of

marginalized communities and the importance of studying social structures in creating

inclusive societies.