Finding Yourself Through What You Lose
How much does your life mean to you? How much do you value your family, your friends, your dreams? Are these values really yours? In this report, two stories express this basic principle, but with different connotations. The 2 characters are both elder brothers who must step aside for the future generations of their respective stories. They soon realize that life is not for free, but earning what you have given for is priceless.
A rather dark poem, "Salvador Late Or Early" is the story; or rather struggle, of one boy's perseverance. The protagonist of this story, Salvador, is the elder brother in a family that needs all the parental guidance it can get. With no father to support them, Salvador must assume the role of man-of-the-house despite being only a pre-teen himself. His mother - in constant of the house and its finances, gives Salvador the responsibility of transporting his younger brothers to and from school.
"Salvador, late or early, sooner or later arrives with the string of younger brothers ready."
It is also interesting to note that in the quote, Salvador's brothers are ready, but he was never ready to take care of them.
Another short story, "Sweet Potato Pie" is a tale that is lighter in context, but deeper in symbolism. Buddy is the youngest in a large African-American family that struggles to sustain themselves. The oldest brother, Charley, becomes enthralled by Buddy's academic prowess and over the rest of his adolescence (and some partial adulthood), encourages Buddy to continue his studies. Charley considers Buddy the key to finally breaking the family's poverty. This point is made crystal-clear with his constant uttering and emphasis of the quote, "You somebody."
Ironically, Buddy comes to idolize Charley for his determination, noting that he was "more father than brother" to him.
Charley and Salvador are both martyrs for causes that are unknown to them. They sacrifice their childhoods for causes that they are half-heartedly confident in. This reveals their effort, pain, demand, and above all, love for their family. In Charley's case, his sacrifice immortalizes him in the memory of the narrator, becoming a sort of idol, despite the fact that Buddy has already surpassed him as far as status goes. Salvador is slightly different, never being concretely coherent or aware of what he is investing his early years in. Without a life plan, Salvador becomes an automaton, almost robotic in his actions.
"...Inside that body... is a boy like any other disappearing out the door..."
This quote conveys my theory, inciting that if you did not have knowledge of Salvador's background life, he would not garner much attention, much less give insinuations of his many struggles of his many struggles.
Based on this report, can we answer the questions given in the introduction? My answer is no. Personal wealth is the responsibility of the individual and how much value we place in our belongings and close relations is all up to us. Charley valued Buddy: he prospered. Salvador was unsure of what he valued: his future is uncertain. In the end, our own motivation is what drives the quality of our lives.
