Analysis Of Oranges By Gary Soto

“Oranges” the poem by Gary Soto is a nostalgic telling of two young children going on a walk, from the perspective of the young boy. This is seemingly the first time that he has ever experienced an interest in girls, and the narrator is reflecting on the time when he went first went walking with a girl in the cold December. At the time, the narrator was twelve years old, but I think that the poem is about his growth and the changes that all young children go through when they are first discovering love and romance. Even though the poem is set in the mid twentieth century, it is still relatable. Every adult has gone through their first crush and can remember the rush of feelings that crushes come with. I remember what it was like to when boys became interesting. I was probably a little older than twelve, but it was completely new and foreign territory. It is a new and exciting time in …show more content…
For the first time, this boy is walking with a girl, and he is experiencing something new. By the time they had finished the walk, he was holding his girls hand. I think the narrator is beginning to grow and mature. By the end of the poem, the narrator was eating his orange, and describes it like a fire. When I think of fire, I think of a burning passion. However, since this is a poem about 12 year olds, maybe the fire represents the beginning of his desires with the opposite gender, and it bloom. If the narrator brought two oranges, it is safe to assume that he was intending on sharing one of them with the girl. However, for some reason, he decided to offer to buy her candy. What changed his mind? Is it possible that he thought that his oranges wouldn't be enough and that he needed to buy her affection with something else? Also, in the end, he refers to her as “my girl”. He holds her hand for two blocks, but then lets go so she can enjoy her chocolate and he can enjoy his