A Summer Life By Gary Soto Summary

In “A Summer Life,” Gary Soto uses tones of guilt and fear to capture the memory of his six-year-old self stealing a pie from the local grocery store. Although young Soto is aware he is committing a sin, the savory senses of the pie persuade him to steal the pie.
The author’s diction intensifies the moral conflict between Soto and himself, first guiltily, then fearfully. Before stealing the pie, Soto recognizes stealing a pie from the innocent grocery store owner is wrong, but justifies what he is about to do by saying sensations such as “boredom” and “the juice of guilt” overcame him. Soto’s word choice exemplifies to the reader Soto himself does not have a clear reason on why he should steal the pie. However, after stealing the pie, Soto instantly begins to act in a scandalous manner, acknowledging his wrongdoing. Shortly after stealing the pie, Soto mischievously “muttered” and quickly “hurried” away, showing to the reader his instant regret.
The author's detail elucidates the moral conflict by giving the reader subtle hints of regret and paranoia. Once Soto reaches his front yard, he comes to a moment of realization. As he was eating the pie, …show more content…
Although at the beginning of the passage Soto acknowledges his understanding of good and bad, he “raced on skinny legs to my [his] block.” This moment shows that although Soto knows his wrongdoing, he immaturely has no intention of correcting himself. The mood seems to remain one of irresponsibility until Soto reaches his front yard and tears begin to “blur my [his] eyes.” This action shows to the reader a shift in Soto’s emotions: from recklessness to guilt. After he finishes the pie and feels sensations of paranoia, Soto realizes he is regretful of his actions. Soto purposefully composes the story in this order to show the shift in moods from recklessness to guilt to ultimately