Because of the jacket, the boy is unpopular and treated poorly. However, in his mind, more than outside it, he is very ugly. In middle school, he was bullied and hung out with the “ugly boys” at recess because he had a poor attitude about his jacket. These conflicts were born when he got a hideous jacket that he wasn 't expecting. Soto says, “in fifth and sixth grades when you either danced like a champ or pressed yourself against a greasy wall, bitter as a penny...” The boy believes
In the story, the child proclaims his instantaneous rancor for the jacket as he views it for the first time, “I wanted to cry because it was so ugly and so big I knew I’d have to wear it for a long time” (Soto). Due to growing out of his former, the boy needs a new jacket, wherewith his mother purchases a new one for him, nothing that he expected. He realizes what he must endure at school and in public, walking around like a massive avocado with no skin. Bitterly, the boy affirms his distaste for the jacket, knowing no way out will arise. In his mind, the reality of his upcoming days and weeks of school overtook the thoughts, he knows the upcoming emotional pain and suffering.
Insecurity is the feeling of anxiousness and feeling self-conscious about one’s physical characteristics. In Gary Soto’s short story “The Jacket,” the main character says, “ I heard the buzz-buzz of gossip and even laughter that I knew was meant for me. And so I went, in my guacamole-colored jacket.” The boy with the ugly jacket feels insecure about his outward appearance because of the cruel laughter and judgement others are revealing and also tries to hide himself from the unwanted attention. Soto uses literary elements to express the hatred the boy felt towards the jacket, symbols to show that he was embarrassed of his culture and he wishes he had clothing like his other peers, and conflict to impact the way others viewed him to support the overarching theme: Focusing on the small things can distract one from the important things that matter. First, the literary element in “The Jacket” supports the overarching theme “Focusing on the small things can distract one from the important things that matter.” The boy is met with an ugly green jacket that his Mom bought for him for his middle school year.
Throughout the whole story the boy is being very unappreciative of what he now has and that he has made it all about himself but finally, he realizes that it is what it is and he is going to have to deal with it. Soto uses the boys context, “I went outside with my jacket across my arm,” to show that the boy is still very unappreciative of this “jacket” that he is forever stuck with. This choice of words emphasizes the point that this brother of his came into his world and wrecked it so that caused the boy to not be acceptant of the boy because he totally turned his life upside down. Quickly after the boys actions Soto includes, “I started up the alley and soon slipped into my jacket, that ugly green brother who breathed over my shoulder that day and ever since.” What Soto is trying to say is that the boy is now realizing that he is going to have to deal with this brother of his because he is actually very fortunate to have him. No matter what the boy tries to do to get his new brother away, he will always be there and that is just something that the boy is going to have to understand and learn how to cope
Elementary school is a big step, especially getting ready for middle school. For example if one is bitter towards someone, meaning jealous or angry, then their middle school years won’t go very well. They will go through being angry and it will make them focus on less important stuff rather than their studies or sports. Similar to the boy in “The Jacket” by “Gary Soto,”he goes through his life being jealous of kids that are happy or have good relationships and new clothes. The boy does not like the jacket his mother got him and does not appreciate it enough, even though it gets the job done.
Even though one doesn’t particularly like or enjoy something, it doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t treat it with respect or care about it. Soto expresses, “I pushed brownie away to study the tear as I would a cut on my arm.” In this quote, Soto is trying to say that even though the boy doesn’t think the jacket looks exceptional and he doesn’t appreciate it , but he still cared when the dog ripped a hole in it. The symbolism of being grateful represents the struggles the boy goes through with the jacket. In “The Jacket” Soto uses an alley to set the mood of the story. Most people think of an alley is a horrible place, so Soto used it in the story to represent how the boy has a terrible attitude.
The fact that the story happens based on a traditional father and son camping trip shows their strong bond. The story does not point out the conversation between Joe and his father; for a little while his father didn’t say a thing. Then he said why sure go along Joe (Trumbo).The unknown dialogue gives a picture of the situation the father is facing while Joe is mentioning Bill Harper. This also shows how Joe is growing up and viewing this place differently and wanting to experience differently. The place that represents Joe’s childhood will covert him into a young man as he changes the tradition.
America acknowledge Black History only in the month of February, but myself, I celebrate, learn and educate others all year round. Each week, I will educate you guys with some of our Black Hero’s and Shero’s. Today, I will like to point out the word “Mandingo.” Today, most people use the word as a sexual term. Using the word to express a black man enlarge private area. The word “Mandingo,” was a term that slave owners use to distinguish a certain type of black person, which is tall, big and strong.
For in striving to be that, it can be said that insecurity is an invisible weapon that oftentimes kills our self-esteem. At the beginning of the novel, Gene is envious of Phineas’s talents and care-free spirit. Therefore, Gene’s doubts destroys his confidence in his own capabilities. Although Gene is honored to be Phineas’s best friend, and this makes him realize that,
(Carefully searching through the pages) Ah here! On page 5. “When [the priest] smiled he used to uncover his big discoloured teeth and let his tongue lie upon his lower lip“. Here, I directly made the first connection between priests and corruption. In “An Encounter”, the man had “yellow teeth” (17).