Paul's Dilemma

Paul’s choice to help people out of the sinkhole boosted his self esteem and what he thought of himself. When the ground starts depressing, the portables with it on September 11, Paul makes the split decision to help the stuck kids out of the portables. After they help everyone out he realizes “I wasn’t a coward, and that counts for something” (86). Even though he admits he may still be afraid of Erik, he begins to look at himself differently. In addition, when Paul says,”I faced danger today, maybe even death. When disaster struck, we all had to do something. In a way, we all had to become someone. (85). Through his experience and choice to be a hero and help others he found a new way to look at himself. In the end, his split second decision created a new self image for himself and others which impacted his self concept in a positive way. …show more content…
On September 15th, after the school starts there new emergency relocation plan he has the option to go to Tangerine Middle School. In this school he can join the soccer team without his IEP. In this new school he joins the soccer team where he becomes a teammate and apart of something. “You got brothers to back you up. Nobody’s gonna mess with you, not anyplace, and anytime. Do you know what i’m sayin?” (124). In Tangerine he finds friends which stay with him and will do anything for him. His choice to come to Tangerine Middle gave him new friends. Along with the soccer team he made a relationship with a guy named Luis,”It’s all right, Tino. I invited him to come back and he’s come.” (171). He found Luis through school and through Luis he learned about his community. Luis and his teammates would always back him up and the same to him to them. Paul’s switch to Tangerine helped him to know his community and find new friends. Overall, his decision affected him positively in the way he created new