Character Analysis: 'Ashleigh Or Ashes'

District Common Assessment Essay “I have a chance at something really big,’ he said. ‘All I need to do is put together a little financing, and I’ll be set for life.’” Ashleigh or “Ashes” is a young girl whose parents are divorced. She gets along with her father only because he bribes her and tells her motivating things. One reason why the main characters’ parents got divorced was because Ashleigh’s father would call her “Ashes”. Financial help was the only reason Ashleigh’s father wanted the money. Ashleigh took the money from the teapot because her father told her that he would pay her back, she does not want to upset her father, and her dad motivates Ashleigh by saying she is “one and a million”. Since Ashleigh questions her relationship with her father he says he would pay her mother back. “‘And I swear to you, Ashes, I’d have the money in your hands by Friday.’” Her father says this because he does not want Ashleigh to back out because her mother notices the money is gone. In the story, Ashleigh’s father tells her to “borrow” the money. Intentionally sacrificing Ashleigh, her father would rather get Ashleigh into trouble instead of himself. Also, throughout the story Ashleigh’s father says he has caused her mother too much pain, so he would not want to take the money himself.
Complaining about Ashleigh questioning the whole situation her father tries to reassure her that she is doing the right thing. “Your mother would never know the difference.’” Her father is trying to have Ashleigh steal to lie to her mother. “...Thursday night, when your mom is out, I’ll give back what I owe you.’” The main character mentions that they drove around in silence after their conversation because it became awkward and tense between her and her father. “‘We drove back to Mom’s in silence. For a moment, a cloud drifted past the moon and the sky turned greenish