Choices In Edward Bloor's Tangerine

Words: 936
Pages: 4

All of us must make choices and decisions sometimes in life. In fact, almost every action can be considered a choice. If we do not make our choices wisely then the consequences could have a dire effect. For instance, in the novel Tangerine by Edward Bloor, Paul Fisher that main character has, to make countless choices that determine the final outcomes. His most essential decisions were that he chose to go to Tangerine Middle School, stand up to Erik and confront his parents and finally he told everyone that he witnessed Arthur Bauer hit Luis Cruz.

To begin with, Paul’s first choice was that he decided to go Tangerine Middle after a sinkhole opened up underneath Lake Windsor Middle. His own personal reason for switching schools was that
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and Mrs. Fisher when they didn't even

tell Erik that it’s wrong to hurt people for no reason and that senseless violence is cruel. Often the second job of parents is molding their child's personality so that they will grow up to be a useful member of society. This choice changed Paul because in a way it gave him a sense of empowerment and self-confidence that one can only get after they face an oppressing thought or get something off their shoulders that were pushing them down. Not that Paul always felt second-rate to Erik and substandard in his parents eyes, but he had never really stood up for himself and expressed the injustice of how he is treated.

Consequently because of Paul’s choice of going to Tangerine Middle School he eventually was,able gather his courage and tell everyone including the authorities and his parents that he saw Arthur Bauer hit Luis Cruz with a blackjack on the head thus delivering the blow that killed him. The effect of this choice was the same effect that drove Paul to confront his parents. When observed in a broad range you can tell that Paul eventually got so tired of keeping his mouth shut and being expected to, that he just spit the truth out. Additionally, he probably made this choice because he knew that the truth would set him free and give him peace of