Tangerine Paul Fisher Character Analysis

Helen Keller, a deaf-blind American author, political activist, and lecturer once expressed, “People can’t change the truth, but the truth can change the people.” Tangerine, a novel by Edward Bloor, depicts the journey Paul Fisher takes to discover the truth about himself, and how he became legally blind. After Paul moves to Tangerine County, Florida, he meets Luis Cruz, the elder brother of his friend Tino. Luis Cruz impacted Paul Fisher by aiding him with uncovering the truth and helping him to become more truthful to others. First, Luis Cruz indirectly affected Paul by inviting Paul to visit Luis’ Golden Dawn Tangerine Grove again. Paul first toured Luis’ Tangerine Groves for a school project with Luis’ brother Tino. When Paul expressed his interest in the Golden Dawn Tangerines, Luis took the initiative to invite him to visit again. Luis’ choice
Erik Fisher previously slapped Tino Cruz, Luis’ younger brother, across the face. Luis Cruz purposefully enraged Erik for revenge for Tino by taunting, “You would smack a little kid in the face, right? Why don’t you come over here and try to smack me” (211)? Luis’ provocation caused Erik to order Arthur to whack a blackjack across Luis’ head. This caused the aneurysm (weakness in a blood vessel) in Luis’ head to further weaken and burst, causing a massive stroke, ultimately leading to Luis’ death. Once Luis died, Paul pondered, “The truth about Luis is obvious to all of the people around him… They know what really happened… Why would that seem so mysterious to me” (249)? While reflecting, Paul came across his reality. He was living in “bits and pieces of the truth” (249), while everyone else “know what really happened” (249). Paul’s reflection indicates that he has realized the truth, that he was living in lies while others were not. Luis’ decision to provoke Erik caused Paul to reflect and uncover the truth of his