Tangerine Paul Fisher Character Analysis

Words: 945
Pages: 4

In the realistic fiction novel Tangerine, by Edward Bloom, the “big picture” of the novel involves the main character’s, Paul Fisher, growing understanding of his surroundings, including his family issues. The motif, or challenge, of sight is the main significant motif mentioned in the novel because the reader gets the chance to see what Paul is able to see, and his opinions on the different relationships developing. The main character and protagonist, Paul, struggles through with the motif of sight with his friends, family, and more importantly, himself. To begin with, Paul is able to use the motif of sight in his relationships with his friends. For example, one of Paul’s first friends in Tangerine, Florida ( Paul’s new home ), Joey, changes perspectives. Paul sees Joey as a friendly character at the beginning of the story, but …show more content…
For instance, Paul’s father only cares of the older son, Erik, future career in football, and the thing known in the family as the Erik Fisher Football Dream. “I looked back at Dad and told him calmly, ‘I’m not a water boy, Dad. I’m not the team manager. I’m a team player’” (64-5). Paul’s dad doesn’t necessarily realize that Paul isn’t a bench warmer, he is a player. He’s (Dad) is so caught up with Erik that he doesn’t bother to notice Paul or go into any of his games. Furthermore, Erik Fisher, Paul’s senior brother, does not even see that he’s a sociopath, ever. “He had something pulled over his face, some kind ski mask, and was holding a big metal bat in both hands, like a murder weapon” (3). Erik may seem all “innocent” to his parents, but deep down, he doesn’t mind hurting people, or have people doing his dirty work for him. He found humor out of Mike Costello’s, Joey’s older brother, death, as if it was just child’s play. Who does that? In conclusion, Dad’s favorite son issue and Erik’s mental problems, show how Paul has some serious issue with his