Symbolism In Tangerine

Tangerine, a realistic fiction novel written by Edward Bloor, is about a dysfunctional family and the family’s dark secrets. Motif is a repeated element, such as an image, a symbol, or a theme in a work of literature, the motif of “sight” is used often in the novel and plays a huge role in the novel and symbolizes the harmful and positive affects of hiding the truth. Through the motif of “sight”, the main character, Paul, has a growing understanding of his friends, family, and himself.

The first group is Paul’s growing understanding of his friends. Paul’s first impression of Victor was a big and tough guy who hated Lake Windsor Middle’s soccer team. “You? You think you can play on my team? What do you think this is Lake Windsor Middle School? You think we gotta take every chump who shows up? You think ’cause your mommy buys you a jockstrap you’re automatically on my team?”(106) Victor doesn't see Paul to be good enough for Victor’s team because Paul was a Lake Windsor Middle School soccer player. Victor doesn't see Paul as someone who can come into the school and join the soccer team automatically and Victor sees Paul as not a friend. Ultimately, Victor sees Paul in a different way, not as an
enemy, but as a friend, and sticks up for Paul.
“Oh no, Dr. Johnson! You’re bringing in the wrong boy in here now. Fisher Man was sittin’ up there with his mama and papa. He just fell outta those bleachers
like he fainted or something. He’s lucky he landed on that dude. That broke his fall”(292). Victor sticks up for Paul by saying the quote and sees that Victor has to help Paul because Paul is in dire need of assistance from his friend. Victor has really changed about how he sees Paul. The examples tie back into the main argument because Paul hasn’t felt any brotherhood with Erik, but when Paul meets Victor and the rest of the War Eagles, Paul feels like a brother amongst all the War Eagles.

Secondly, he has a growing understanding of his family. Paul isn’t cared about by Paul’s dad, who favors Erik. “Dad is in the Erik Football Dream”(59). Paul isn’t appreciated and not noticed by his dad. Dad doesn't see that Paul needs to some attention. Eventually, Paul confronts his dad into telling the truth. “There are questions that need to be answered about these!”(264) this quote shows this Paul is done with his family about hiding the truth from him talking to his dad and that is what he thinks about his family. The examples tie back to the main argument because it shows how Paul sees his family and how his family doesn't see him.

Finally, Paul has a growing understanding about himself. Paul considers himself a freak, invisible, and a nobody. “I could stop trying to be what everyone else is and accept being a freak”(76). polka Sanders tennis cell does not normal which really affect how he should see himself as a freak and nobody notices him, that will impact on how he should see himself, as a freak. Gradually Paul sees himself as he should be and what he was meant to be. “I’m more than all right, finally”(265). Paul Finally sees himself as a normal person. All of the logs have disappeared and come with and came with Chief Keef Finally Lowe's the truth and the lies don't matter. The examples matter to the main argument because it shows how he sees himself.

Through, the motif of sight, Paul, the main character of the realistic fiction novel, has a growing understanding of his friends, family, and himself. Characters are usually afraid of finding out the truth because it may affect them in a serious way. Sometimes characters hide the truth with lies to protect the people who they love. The big question is, have you ever seen something that no one else sees, like Paul?