Looking For Work By Gary Soto Analysis

Our parents and culture often have an influence on who we are. For centuries,one's culture has impacted the way an individual may view his or hers environment. Culture is passed down from parents and relatives to the younger generation which allows both culture and our parents to influence who we are and how we value life. In the story, “Looking for Work” by Gary Soto, tells a story of his younger years where he wanted his family to be like the ones he saw on television because they were wealthy and perfect. In another story, “Arm Wrestling with My Father” by Brad Manning, who recalls a time where he and his father showed no affection towards one another but changed over time. Being in a similar situation as both of these authors, I am able
According to Soto, because he was raised by his mother’s ideals, it shaped him to be who he was. Soto writes about himself at age nine who is Mexican American and wants to become wealthy so he looks for a job. He gets the idea of becoming rich by fantasizing about having a proper family that he sees on television and hopes that his family would be just like them. His family were indeed different from what he depicted because they did not understand the point in changing for white people to like them. In the end of the story, everyone was gone from the house and he continues to look for another job. In one part of the story Soto says, “Leave It to Beaver was the program I replayed in my mind: ‘May I have the mashed potatoes?’ asks Beaver with a smile. ‘Sure, Beav,’ replies Wally as he taps the corners of his mouth with a starched napkin. The father looks on in his suit. The mother, decked out in earrings and a pearl necklace, cuts into her steak and blushes. Their conversation is politely clipped. Our own talk at dinner was loud with belly laughs and marked by our pointing forks at one another. The subjects were commonplace.” (Pg?). After watching television as a young child, Soto always
So he went out to look for a job at such an early age to help make them live lavishly but learned from his family that money and wealth does not mean anything to them because they do not need to change for anyone to be accepted in society. For me, I had a similar situation with Soto because I come from an average income family, but was still on a tight budget. When Soto described how he wanted his family to be like those on TV, I agreed. I wanted to have a family that did not have any problems with my parents and siblings and wanted all my neighbors and classmates to like me because I was one of the only Asians in my community. As I grew up older and questioned why I thought this way, I began to realize that sometimes I would have to deal with things with what I had or have because nothing is ever going to be perfect. By the time I entered high school, I knew that the family that was by my side was perfect for me because I know that I am lucky enough to have a caring family that many do not get to say they have. For Manning, he never noticed his father's affection when they played arm-wrestling and he lost constantly until he was old enough and won against his dad. He noticed things has changed over time like his father becoming weaker and he will need to be