Summary Of Seventh Grade By Gary Soto

In the short story, “Seventh Grade,” by Gary Soto, and the poem, “Oranges,” also by Gary Soto, two boys are deeply in love with a girl. In “Seventh Grade,” Victor, likes Teresa and he is embarrassed in front of her many times. Similarly, in “Oranges,” the boy buys something for the girl that costs more money than he has. Both the short story and the poem explore the issue of how you need courage to take risks in front of someone you like.

In the short story, “Seventh Grade,” Victor takes many risks. Victor demonstrates bravery and taking risks in front of Teresa. In the beginning of the story, Victor stays behind to catch up with Teresa to say something cunning. The author writes, “Victor lingered, keeping his head down and staring at his …show more content…
He has great courage to be taking such great risks for the girl he likes. In the middle of the story, the girl chooses a chocolate that costs more money than he has, and he doesn’t say anything. Soto narrates, “I fingered/A nickle in my pocket,/And when she lifted a chocolate/That cost a dime,/I didn’t say anything” (Soto 31-34). This quote clarifies, that the boy has courage for not saying anything in front of his loved one. He is not saying that she has to choose something else because he does not have enough money, he is keeping her happy. Another example of the boy taking risks is when he tried to buy the chocolate that cost a dime, with a nickel and an orange. According to the text, the poem states, “I took the nickel from/My pocket, then an orange,/And set them quietly on/The counter. When I looked up,/The lady’s eyes met mine,” (Soto 35-39). This supports the idea that the boy was taking a risk for his loved one. He tried to buy a piece of chocolate with a nickel and an orange just for her. Certainly, throughout the poem, the boy demonstrates his love for the girl and the risks he takes for her. Moving on, “Oranges” and “Seventh Grade” both have many similarities. In “Oranges,” the girl is very happy with the boy. The author writes, “Light in her eyes, a smile/Starting at the corners/Of her mouth” (Soto 28-30). The girl is very pleased at the fact that the boy is buying a piece of candy for her. The only way the

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