In “Tears of a Tiger” by Sharon Draper two family environments are seen. An examination of the Washington and Jackson families reveals what makes a strong family and what leads to a potentially dangerous environment. Tears of a tiger shows two family environments one in which Andy feels he cannot relate to and one in which he feels he can. Andy, the driver of the car that killed Rob Washington, blames himself for the accident and cannot get past his guilt and pain. While all of his friends have managed to move on Andy allows death to become the main focus of his life and let this accident eat him up whole. According to the book Tears of a Tiger, Andy longs for a family like his best friend Rob, he feels …show more content…
“Do you think your parents understand your problems? Heckee no! I think my parent’s aint got no grip on reality; me and my mom stay out of each other’s way. We don’t dislike each other, we just don’t think like.” “Does he ever listen to your music? Be for real! She plans meaningless activities for girls, she once asked me if I would like to be an escort. I almost died! Me! Put on a tuxedo and dance the waltz?” Andy and his mom don’t see eye to eye. They don’t hate each other, it’s just that Andy isn’t into the type of stuff his mom wants him to be involved in. “What about your dad? Man he hasn’t got the slightest idea what I think or care about.” “He once told me that he hoped id go into the business world with him when I finished college.” Andy’s father has always assumed Andy has always wanted to go to college and to get a degree in the field of business administration. In reality that is his dads dream for him, it’s not Andy’s dream at all. Andy’s parents do acre for him but they don’t try to relate or understand him at …show more content…
Both Rob’s parents love him. It was pretty hard for Mrs. Washington to call but she did anyway because she cares for Andy, despite how much he hurt her. “I want to help you now Andy but I don’t know how. Time heals all wounds, and you’re young and strong and resilient, you’ll bounce back from this. Just like that time when you were nine, you survived, and you emerged from the pool a stronger and wiser person, it will happen again. You’ll see.” Andy’s mom is telling Andy that he shouldn’t hold this against himself she is trying to get him to let go of what happened and to move on what his life. She doesn’t want him to be consumed about this for his whole life. Andy’s parents and robs parents still love him and still see him as the person he was before the