Tangerine Paul Character Analysis

In one’s self, two natures are at war- the good and the evil, and one of these must be conquered. But in one’s own hands lies the power to choose- what one wants most to be is what we are. Sadly, in Tangerine by Edward Bloor, Erik chooses to be evil, and he makes cruel choices that negatively affect Paul’s life, and that will change Paul forever. One way Erik diminishes Paul is when he almost fully blinds him. This event traumatizes Paul, so much that his brain suppressed the memory of that occurrence. However, when he is older, Paul recalls, “...I remember Erik’s fingers prying my eyelids open while Vincint Castor sprayed white paint into them”, nearly blinding him (Bloor 264) Erik’s decision causes Paul to be ridiculed for his supposed bad eyesight whenever he points out the abnormalities he sees within his community. Additionally, Erik upsets Paul when he slaps Tino, Paul’s friend, in the face. When Erik begins teasing Paul’s friends, Tino stands up for them, which surprises and angers Erik. Because Erik feels like he is losing the debate, “...[he] lashed out, smashing the back of his hand across Tino’s face…” (Bloor 205) This compels Paul and his friends to despise Erik, and will give Paul confidence to stand up for himself and others later in the novel.

During football practice, Luis approaches Erik and Arthur angrily- since he knows that Erik slapped Tino. As Erik discreetly tells Arthur to smack him, Luis yells at Erik for slapping Tino. However, Luis could not finish his lecture before, “Arthur reached Luis, turned, and whipped the blackjack around with a loud whack against the side of Luis’s head.” (Bloor 211) This causes Paul and his friends to see Erik’s true colors and gives Paul a reason to rat out Erik and Arthur, which resulted in Erik getting into trouble with the local