comparison essay parrot in the oven

Both “parrot in the oven”, and the song “praying” deal with the emotional and abusive perspective of the world. Each of these pieces provide ways to deal with you pain and how to oversee the bad in others, and even yourself. Even though these stories focus on the same topic, there are different aspects that make them similar and different.

The most similar thing between the two stories is how they face abusive/ dangerous situations. In parrot in the oven Manny faces problems with his alcoholic father. In Kesha’s song “praying” she is getting over some sort of an abusive relationship. Another similarity is how the abuse made them who they are. Manny learned that family is most important, and as it says in praying, ” I can thank you for how strong I have become.” This  explains that even though they went through the abuse that it made them stronger and there grateful that it made them who they are now. This song and book also both take place in first person, with Manny and Kesha telling the story.

Although the stories do have many similarities, they are different in some ways. For example near the end of the story Manny’s dad begins to change his harsh ways. He gets a job to help the family. But in praying the purpose of the song is Kesha praying that ” I hope your soul is changin” and that the person will change their ways. So Manny’s dad changes but Kesha’s abuser is the same. Another difference is that Kesha left that person and is not a part of their life anymore. But Manny stays with his dad and gets over their problems. This is how the two stories are different.

In both of these stories, the characters are getting over their struggles, and deal with it in different ways. Even though they deal with it differently, the stories are about being strong and getting over it and becoming better.

Literary essay Parrot in the Oven

The novel Parrot in the oven was written by Victor Martinez, and takes place somewhere in central California. This novel is about Manny Hernandez’s life. It introduces his family struggles such as dealing with an abusive father. He goes through school dealing with neighborhood bullies, the death of his grandma, and personal hardships. Throughout the story he wants to be worth something in life, and the only way to gain respect in his neighborhood is to join a gang. So Manny joins a gang. After he joins they go and steal a woman’s purse. After this Manny realizes that is wrong and he doesn’t want to be a part of it. Manny quits the gang and goes home with his family. Throughout all of this he figures out that family is most important to him.

From the beginning Manny deals with family problems. His dad is always drunk and not at home, while his brother can’t keep a job, and their mom pretends that nothing is wrong. Throughout these problems, he works with his family to make it better. For example he helps his brother during work, and even working with him at the pepper field. Even when their dad is drunk at Rico’s, Manny goes with his mom to help get him. As it says on page 22, ” on the day after the chili peppers, we all piled in the car- my little sister Pedi whining about the heat, Magda clapping her hands to the rock-and-roll music inside her head, Dad complaining about a streak of clever pool shots he was working on before mom yanked him rudely away.” This shows that the whole family went to get him and they all care.

During the middle of the story Manny has more problems outside of home. He is now in school and he faces challenges with bullies and girls. Throughout all of this, his family is there for him. His brother and sister gives him advice about the situation he’s in. They are there for him when he needs it. As Magda says on page 173 “Boy, you really are hurting,” she said, shaking her head. “You’re going to get in trouble, you know that? If I was you I wouldn’t go to that party,” she warned.” This shows that she cares and is trying to help him do the right thing. During this part of the book, both Bernardo and their dad also gets a job which is surprising and helpful to the family.

At the end of the book this is really when Manny realizes that family is important, and how much it means to him. After Manny leaves the gang he goes home and as it says on page 215, ” I knew I’d never again see anything so wondrous as my two sisters lying on the couch.” He also says “A place, I felt, that I had come back to after a long journey of being away. My home.” This shows that he feels at home with his family despite all of their problems. He learns that they care for him and he doesn’t need to be in the gang.

Although some might say that Manny made a mistake by joining the gang, this taught him what was right and wrong, and helped him find who he really was. Sometimes it takes a mistake to realize the right thing. After he left the gang it also helped him figure out who was his real friends, and how important his family is. Without any of this Manny wouldn’t have the same experiences and it would have changed how the story ends and how his character changed throughout the story. So in conclusion, because Manny joined the gang he learned that it was wrong and that family is most important.

introduction to Parrot in the Oven

The book “Parrot in the oven” takes place in central California. Manny, Bernardo, Pedi, Magda, and their mom and dad all live together in a small house. Their dad often spends him time at Ricos, drinking, and gambling. Manny and Bernardo spend a lot of time picking peppers for money. Their mom always stays home cleaning. Magda is usually at home to, taking care of Pedi.

Manny is the main character in this story. He struggles with being a “penny” or being not very worth of anything. His brother Bernardo, cant keep a job, and knows how to stay away from trouble. Them and their sibling all struggle by living with their abusive/ alcoholic dad, who also dosent have a job. Money is also a problem because the only ones working is manny and bernardo.

assigned seats in the lunchroom (rough draft)

 

The noisy kids fill into the long gray lunch tables. Within minutes many students start wandering around and sneaking to their friend’s tables. The Blackhawk administrators do everything they can to try and keep the students at their assigned tables, although through all their efforts they haven’t found an effective solution.  

Students are unhappy with their option of lunch seating. They have the choice to sit in whatever table that is assigned to their 6th period class. In many cases they would rather go sit with their friends, which is completely understandable. Who would want to sit alone at lunch? Because of this most students think it would be better for the students to decide where they get to sit. This would solve the problem of everyone getting up, because they would already be with their friends. 

Some people think the students should have assigned tables though. One student by the name of Emma Fiess says “It gives some order at lunch and it’s not as chaotic as if we didn’t have assigned seats. But there are still a lot of students who disregard the rule and sit wherever they want.” So some of the students think that assigned seats are better for lunch. Other students like Madison Cocks have mixed emotions on the topic. Madi says ” Yes, but to some extent. Without assigned lunch seats it would be chaotic, but some students don’t socialize if they don’t sit with a friend. So I believe there should be assigned seats, but also give some freedoms. 

So what do you think? Should students get to choose their seats or should they be assigned? 

Blackhawk school uniforms?

On Thursday August 24 in Mr. Hoering, and Mrs. Godfrey’s first period language arts class, they had a surprising announcement. Mrs. Oaks, Blackhawks teacher resourcer entered the two classes with two papers in her hands. The students quieted down when she began to talk. Mrs. Oaks announced that there would be a change to the schools dress code. That surely grabbed the students attention. She continued by saying that they have decided to create a uniform for all students to wear. The students in the room were shocked to hear this. One of those student says “that I was very surprised and wasn’t expecting her to say that.” When Mrs. Oaks started answering questions people began to get more angry. A couple of students shared their concerns before Mrs. Oaks left the rooms. After she left and the wall between the rooms was closed, Mr. Hoering’s students were not happy. Students were yelling saying things such as “I’m moving to Lane!” and “This has to be a joke.” The students were yelling over Mr. Hoering, trying to explain their opinion on the adjustment. Since the students wouldn’t calm down Mr. Hoering didn’t have any choice but to tell them the truth. It was all a hoax! students were relived yet angry to hear that it was all a joke.

i m a reader

The last book I read was fairest. I forget the author(its a part of the lunar chronicles) but it was a really good book and what I liked about it was that it was in the perspective of the villan so we got to see it in another way. The book i picked at the library was “Fixing Deliah” by Sarah Ockler. Last year some of my friends read it and said it was good so when I saw it I thought I would read it. So far it is really good and I’m glad i got it.