In You're Blues Ain't Like Mine by Bebe Moore Campbell, I was able to consider the novel from three main sociological angles: the structural-functionalist approach, the social conflict approach and the symbolic interaction approach. From a structural-functionalist perspective, I analyzed the Honorable Men of Hopewell as the power elite. I considered Mamie Cox's understanding of social class from the perspective of social conflict, and the differences between Doreen and Lily Cox were easily seen through the symbolic interaction approach. By examining the characters and situations from these three important perspectives, I was able to better understand the novel and the lives of the characters in which the novel was based. First, the structural-functionalist approach allowed me to better see the honorable Men of Hopewell and their extended power in the Delta. John J. Macionis defines this perspective as a framework for building a theory that views society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability (Macionis: 11). The honorable men of Hopewell are responsible for making all important economic decisions. “We decide the future of this great state, and it is your future too, son (Campbell: 108). » This comment was uttered by Stonewall Pinochet, the leader of this powerful group of men. Stonewall was one of the wealthiest men in the state of Mississippi and had an important reputation to uphold. He was the head of the inheritance. The honorable men of Hopewell were not elected but simply selected because of the prestige of their great-grandfather. “As was customary, the mayor had not been invited to the meeting but would be informed subsequently of any resulting public policy decisions, if it was deemed political to do so. Mayor Renfro was just one in a series of political figures; the true power of the region was gathered in this smoke-filled room (Campbell: 108). This quote from the novel is an example of the power of these men..