Make Lemonade: A Thematic Analysis

In reference to the mythical world of Percy Jackson, Rick Riordan flawlessly describes family dynamic. “Families are messy. Immortal families are eternally messy. Sometimes the best we can do is to remind each other that we're related for better or for worse...and try to keep the maiming and killing to a minimum”. Families though messy,are truly one of the most important things in one’s life, and in the book Make Lemonade by Virginia Wolff. Jolly is seventeen with two young children, no parents, no husband, no job. Her parents abandoned her along with the fathers of her children. The void created by the absence of true family has greatly changed Jolly, and left her life in ruins. That is until a fourteen year old LaVaughn begins to babysit …show more content…
How you behave and view situations is a pivotal part of one’s identity, and it can be greatly affected by one’s family. One case is when LaVaughn take Jeremy(Jolly’s oldest child) shopping for shoes. She realizes that she doesn’t need to get paid for working with the kids, because it doesn’t feel like work to her(Wolff 80). In this passage LaVaughn is able to come to the realization that even though Jolly’s financial situation is preventing her from paying LaVaughn, babysitting is enjoyable, and she can not just abandon Jolly. LaVaughn’s positive attitude and giving nature was derived from the type of family atmosphere she grew up in. LaVaughn’s father passed away when she was young and her mother assumed the role of both the mother and father figure in LaVaughn’s life. Because of this her mother has taken action to give LaVaughn a better life than she had. She has also taught LaVaughn to have a positive attitude no matter what financial state she is in. LaVaughn also shows her compassionate behavior and encouraging attitude when she pushes Jolly to return to school. “I quick ask in my regular voice, “Jolly gets back in school, she gets Daycare free? How does she get back in school? ‘“ (Wolff 102). This excerpt shows how LaVaughn’s encouraging and take charge attitude has been impacted by her mom. Her mom never went to college and is constantly reminding LaVaughn to focus on her studies, in order to go to college to escape her current living situation. LaVaughn was distinctly influenced by her mother’s supportive, and encouraging attitude, and was able to help push Jolly to achieve a better education. “You need yourself a job where you can dignify,’” I say to Jolly one day soon. I hear my mother’s voice coming out of my mouth and I quick put a cork in it, instantly, then I go on without her. “ I’m gonna help you, Jolly.’” (Wolff 109). LaVaughn is able to notice