Tangerine Theme Analysis

Identity: A Journey of Self-Discovery

You ever ask yourself what Tangerine is really about? Like, what's the big idea Edward Bloor is trying to get across in his book? Well, if you're curious, it's all about themes like identity, discrimination, and how we see things—or maybe how we don’t see them. Let’s dive into this.

First up, identity. Paul Fisher, the main guy in the story, is on this intense journey trying to figure out who he is. He's got a lot thrown at him—family stuff, school challenges—just like any of us might have. But he's gotta look at himself and what everyone else expects of him. Makes you think about your own life, right?

Then there’s Erik, Paul’s older brother. He kinda shows us what happens when you just follow the crowd. He's got this star athlete thing going on and lets it define him completely. It’s like he trades in who he really is for what others want from him. Seeing Paul and Erik together gives you a real sense of why being true to yourself matters so much.

Tino's story brings more depth to this theme too. He's friends with Paul at Tangerine Middle School and deals with issues because of his Mexican heritage. The novel doesn’t shy away from showing how tough it can be for someone dealing with ethnic discrimination while also trying to find their own path.

Discrimination: Unmasking the Ugly Truth

The book doesn’t stop at identity; it goes deep into discrimination too. It gets pretty raw about racial prejudice through Luis Cruz’s experiences—a talented soccer player facing nasty bullying just 'cause of his background.

But it ain’t just race that’s under the spotlight here. Disability comes into play through Victor, a visually impaired friend of Paul’s who has his own battles fitting in. It hits home how people can be quick to judge or exclude others for all sorts of unfair reasons.

Bloor kind of calls us out on our own prejudices here—like he wants us to think twice about how we treat others and maybe learn to be more understanding and accepting of diversity.

The Power of Perception: Truth vs. Illusion

Now let's talk perception—how we see things versus what they really are. Paul struggles with vision problems which stand as a metaphor for not seeing things clearly or missing deeper truths.

His view of the world gets challenged over and over again throughout the book. There’s even this mysterious sinkhole near his house that symbolizes hidden truths lurking beneath what seems obvious.

This whole theme makes us rethink how we perceive reality and reminds us that sometimes we gotta look beyond what's right in front of us to understand what's truly going on.

Conclusion

Wrapping it up, Tangerine's themes hit hard and make you think deeply about yourself and society around you. By looking into identity, discrimination, and perception, readers are encouraged to question their own beliefs—and maybe even change them for the better! Bloor's work isn’t just fiction; it could inspire some real-world compassion and inclusivity if you let it.