Symbolism In Tangerine

Tangerine, a realistic fiction novel written by Edward Bloor, is about a dysfunctional family and the family’s dark secrets. Motif is a repeated element, such as an image, a symbol, or a theme in a work of literature, the motif of “sight” is used often in the novel and plays a huge role in the novel and symbolizes the harmful and positive affects of hiding the truth. Through the motif of “sight”, the main character, Paul, has a growing understanding of his friends, family, and himself.

The first group is Paul’s growing understanding of his friends. Paul’s first impression of Victor was a big and tough guy who hated Lake Windsor Middle’s soccer team. “You? You think you can play on my team? What do you think this is Lake Windsor Middle School? You think we gotta take every chump who shows up? You think ’cause your mommy buys you a jockstrap you’re automatically on my team?”(106) Victor doesn't see Paul to be good enough for Victor’s team because Paul was a Lake Windsor Middle School soccer player. Victor doesn't see Paul as someone who can come into the school and join the soccer team automatically and Victor sees Paul as not a friend. Ultimately, Victor sees Paul in a different way, not as an
“Oh no, Dr. Johnson! You’re bringing in the wrong boy in here now. Fisher Man was sittin’ up there with his mama and papa. He just fell outta those bleachers