Hotel On The Corner Of Bitter And Sweet
Schaffer 1
Tasha Schaffer
Ms. Bertrand
English 11
21 May 2014
Fix It
Thesis: Without the character of Sheldon in Jamie Ford's Hotel on the Corner of
Bitter and Sweet, Henry would never have learned how to fight for what he wanted.
Sheldon is an important character in the book Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and
Sweet. Sheldon acts as a brother to Henry he never had who is an only child. For
Henry's whole life, he has only been able to go to his parents for help or advice. When
Henry became friends with Keiko, he needed someone else to go to for advice knowing his parents wouldn't approve. Sheldon reassured Henry that he would be there for him when he said, "'Little man ain't got no brother, so I'm his big brother, gotta look out for him'" p.56. Sheldon volunteering to be his big brother shows that he is there for him and and will support him. Sheldon is not only able to be there for Henry, but he also gives
Henry the guidance he needs in order to make his own choices.
Henry needs to understand that he can make his own decisions with a little guidance from Sheldon. In Henry’s father’s eyes, a boy becomes a man at the age of thirteen. Henry is not used to being able to do things on his own and make choices for himself. Sheldon explained to Henry, “‘You can make a man’s decision and do what you gotta do. Thats what I’d do’” p.211. When Sheldon gave him that boost, Henry was able
Schaffer 2
to do what he wanted most; he visited Keiko. Henry learned that in order to get what he wants he has to do it for himself. When Henry realizes he can make his own decisions,
Sheldon encourages him to start fixing the broken pieces in his life.
Many things in Henry’s life are starting to feel broken, and Sheldon pushes him to do what will make him happy. Henry has the power to fix these relationships with his loved ones and also deal with the broken record that has been the soundtrack to his life, but he can’t find the strength to get up and do
Tasha Schaffer
Ms. Bertrand
English 11
21 May 2014
Fix It
Thesis: Without the character of Sheldon in Jamie Ford's Hotel on the Corner of
Bitter and Sweet, Henry would never have learned how to fight for what he wanted.
Sheldon is an important character in the book Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and
Sweet. Sheldon acts as a brother to Henry he never had who is an only child. For
Henry's whole life, he has only been able to go to his parents for help or advice. When
Henry became friends with Keiko, he needed someone else to go to for advice knowing his parents wouldn't approve. Sheldon reassured Henry that he would be there for him when he said, "'Little man ain't got no brother, so I'm his big brother, gotta look out for him'" p.56. Sheldon volunteering to be his big brother shows that he is there for him and and will support him. Sheldon is not only able to be there for Henry, but he also gives
Henry the guidance he needs in order to make his own choices.
Henry needs to understand that he can make his own decisions with a little guidance from Sheldon. In Henry’s father’s eyes, a boy becomes a man at the age of thirteen. Henry is not used to being able to do things on his own and make choices for himself. Sheldon explained to Henry, “‘You can make a man’s decision and do what you gotta do. Thats what I’d do’” p.211. When Sheldon gave him that boost, Henry was able
Schaffer 2
to do what he wanted most; he visited Keiko. Henry learned that in order to get what he wants he has to do it for himself. When Henry realizes he can make his own decisions,
Sheldon encourages him to start fixing the broken pieces in his life.
Many things in Henry’s life are starting to feel broken, and Sheldon pushes him to do what will make him happy. Henry has the power to fix these relationships with his loved ones and also deal with the broken record that has been the soundtrack to his life, but he can’t find the strength to get up and do