Reflections

The yellow sweater

I thought that this story was a good depicture about the real world and how people really act. People are too quick to judge people when they should really take a good look at themselves and see that they aren't much better than the people they look down on. The fact that even in the 50's the idea of a man cheating routinely on his wife was an "acceptable" act. Nothing has changed to the present day. I believe that after seeing the yellow sweater and thinking that someone may do that to his daughter, I think that he is a changed man and will alter his way of life.

All the years of her life

I think that the way his mother comes in and turns the situation around is excellent. She diffuses the circumstances that could have got him into a lot of trouble, into only minor repercussions. She seems to bail him out a lot, and he now realizes the tole it is taking on his mother. Since his father is rarely around because he works night shifts, his mother is the one who gets all the phone calls. I think she becomes increasingly aware of his ways, and he now realizes he has to change for the health of his mother.

Girls & Boys

I thought that the vivid description of the pelting excursion was a good way to get the character across, but a little overboard at times. Also, the story seemed to be very long, dragged out at times. She could have been just as productive with a shorter narrative. The rules she has with her brother and the stories she creates made a very positive outlook for her "set out" life she had going for her. That was her time to be as free as she wanted, without being criticized. The fact that she didn't close the gate for the horse symbolizes how she feels inside. She tries so hard to be free, but just like the horse, knows her ultimate fate, and that there is no escape. But for just a little while, she wanted the horse to succeed, just as she wanted to.

Windfall chili sauce

I think that this story has a lot of meaning. It's also very hopeful. The fact that the girl already wants nothing to do with her father at such a young age, and we get this vibe early on in the story, shows that he must be a pretty awful dad and husband. Also, the fact that Patsy made up her mind about her future so early and was extremely headstrong about it shows how determined she was and how serious her decision to stay was. The chili sauce played a very important role in the story as well. Not only did it generate income for them, but little did they know the "windfall" part of the name had a bigger meaning than they thought. As well, the reality that such a young girl could stand up against her father the way that she did was amazing. If only her mother could do the same.

A

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