Symbolism of Onion in Buried Onions by Gary Soto

In the book Buried Onions by Gary Soto, it takes place in Fresno California. Fresno is a depressing town where gang members go around lurking every corner searching for something awful to do. Eddie is a young kid who hasn’t had the best childhood from having his dad die at a young age, to being born in such an awful and depressing town in California. He believes that there is a reason why the town is the way it is. His theory is there is a buried onion underneath the town. Overall throughout the story the onion symbolizes the sadness in a fearful environment which is propelled by the bitter tone.

It is very sorrowful and depressing in the town of Fresno, crime happening every second, everywhere. The author thinks that by putting in this quote “The sun was climbing over the trees of City College and soon the black asphalt would shimmer with vapors. I had a theory about those vapors, which were not released by the sun’s heat but by a huge onion buried under the city. This onion made us cry.” Fresno is a very bland, dangerous, and a ghetto town full of crime and hatred. Many people that live in Fresno have encountered a great deal of dread from the barrio of Fresno they have lived in and all the downturn from losing a significant number of loved ones.

The onion that is covered underneath the town organizes pity. The individuals utilize the onion as an approach to portray how they feel about their lost loved ones. According to Eddie, this is how he acts when Angel is around. “That’s my message homes. I ain’t involved, really.” Lupe told me to be cool and left in a light jog, pulling up his khakis as he skipped up over a curb.... I thought of that red ant with the white flake, “Keep straight,” I told myself. “Don’t mess up Angel is a gangster.” It is demonstrated in here that Angel is a criminal, in Fresno where all the awful violations occur, trouble happens, and sorrow supported. The onion symbolizes misery which prompts the hopeless and frightful air in Fresno. “His eyes watering as if he had been sniffing onions.” The onion vapor gets to everyone making them sad, and everyone else in the town miserable.

In the barrio of Fresno, the mind-set and tone are the manner by which wary individuals are strolling through their own town terrified in light of the entirety of the wrongdoings. Fresno is a shocking and hopeless spot where pack people lurk around each corner looking for something horrendous to do. Eddie is a little youngster who hasn't had the best youth from having his dad passed on at an energetic age, to being considered in such an awful and demoralizing town in California. Eddie acknowledges that there is an inspiration driving why the town is the manner by which it is. His speculation is that there is a secured onion underneath the town. Eddie owns expressions like this all through the book. Overall the onion symbolizes the hopelessness in an awful space which is actuated by the unsavory tone.