The Environment In Little Fires Everywhere By Celeste Ng

From the air we breathe to the food we eat, the environment around us plays a critical role in shaping who we are as individuals. Our surroundings can affect everything from physical and mental health to our beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. Whether we realize it or not, the environment we grow up in and live in profoundly impacts our development and the choices we make throughout our lives. In short, our environment shapes us in ways we may not even be aware of. Showcasing this effect is in Celeste Ng’s novel, Little Fires Everywhere, set in the 90s, two families are brought together in the small town called Shaker Heights because of their children, and when they collide, it all burns down. In Celeste Ng’s novel, Pearl is shaped by her environment

Pearl Warren is the daughter of Mia Warren. She is drawn to comfort and security and is shy but very talented in the smarts. When Pearl and her mother moved to Shaker Heights, she was welcomed by the community as well as by a certain family in that community. The Richardsons made a profound impact on Pearl throughout the novel and show how much the environment has an effect on the people. For instance, Ng writes, “They dazzled her, these Richardsons: with their easy confidence, their clear sense of purpose, no matter the time of day. At Moody’s invitation, she spent hours at their house, coming over just after breakfast, staying til dinner” (pp. 35). The significance of this text shows how right when Pearl stepped through the Richardson doors, she saw what she didn’t have, perfection, and it entranced her. She

When I was 16, I struggled with my mental health to the point where I thought about trying to end my life. I told them “I need help”. My family immediately worked on making me better and being there for me and my needs at the time. This was significant to my growth within me because I feel without my family being there for me I would not be where I am now. Before I tried to hurt myself, my family didn’t really care for checking in on my mental health and I myself wouldn’t update or talk to them either. But when I decided to reach out and tell them about my struggles, they showed a new side that I never knew and it overflowed with love and care for my life. It made me fall in love with my life again and my relationships with my family flourished. My mom made the most significant impact on me. For example, from the night I attempted to end my life, she would lie with me at night until I fell asleep just to make sure I am okay and that I get to rest. This is the most important environmental change for me because before this event in my life, my mother and I didn’t have a very good relationship and we would clash and never talk to each other. But after reaching out to her, she is now my best friend. I now share my life with her and she does as well with