Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie Literary Analysis

936 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Childhood narratives

Siblings – the most annoying things in the world. They’re horrible, wonderful beings, and you would sacrifice anything for them in the end. In Jordan Sonnenblick’s novel Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie, Steven Alper, the main character, learns exactly how wonderful, and horrible, it can be to have a younger brother. Steven is your typical 8th grader – he’s continuously vexed by his younger brother Jeffrey, he has a crush on a girl who doesn’t acknowledge his existence, and he plays the drums in the All-City Jazz Band. While Steven struggles through life, his world halts when his five-year-old brother is diagnosed with leukemia, As Steven and his family strive to overcome Jeffrey’s cancer diagnosis, the Alper family learns the true meaning of sacrifice.
“I guess a good starting point would be the longest journal I’ve ever written in English class. This was back in September, when I was pretty sure about life. The topic was ‘The most annoying thing in the world,’” (pg. 1). In the very exposition of Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie, Steven reflects back to his “Truly Annoying Things” journal entry. He explains his sacrifices for Jeffrey as the older sibling, even prior to Jeffrey’s leukemia diagnosis. Steven has to give up much of his parent’s attention once Jeffrey was born. “How would you like to be King of the Planet for eight glorious years, and then suddenly get demoted to Vice-King?” (pg. 4). As the role of the older brother, Steven also deals with needing to sacrifice his possessions. For example, Steven owns a pair of Regal Tip 5A’s with nylon tips signed by his drum idol, Carter Beauford. Evidently, Steven is attached to his prized pair of drumsticks, but he is forced to sacrifice them when Jeffrey plays with Steven’s epical stick...

... middle of paper ...

... was a success, earning over twenty thousand dollars. Steven is at 8th grade graduation, a beautiful girl to his left, and another to his right. Jeffrey’s leukemia is improving, proving that the Alpers’ sacrifices were all worth it. During the conclusion of the story, Steven’s development as a person is apparent. He goes from being “pretty sure about life” (pg. 1) to “I guess maybe my biggest achievement was learning that there’s more to life than taking the big drum solo,” (pg. 270). At the beginning of the year, Jeffrey was under Steven’s list of “Truly Annoying Things.” By 8th grade graduation, Steven has learned to greatly appreciate his brother, even to say “Jeffrey, I love you.” Over the course of the entire year, the Alpers exemplified how sacrificing important aspects of their life can help in overcoming hardships.

Works Cited

Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie

Show More
Related

  • Sibling Differences in President Cleveland, Where Are You? by Robert Cormier

    577 Words  | 2 Pages

    Robert Cormier introduces readers to two brothers, Jerry and Armand, who seem don’t have that much in common. Jerry, the 11-year-old protagonist of the story, has one great

    Read More

  • Robert Kraut Jazz And Language

    635 Words  | 2 Pages

    The narrator whose name is unknown finds out that his brother Sonny was incarcerated for the use of and dealing heroin, raised in a society where being afraid of fear is constantly affecting both of their life’s in turmoil. “He was frightening me a little” (Baldwin 19). Fear shaped the older brother in becoming an Algebra teacher, endeavoring to save his younger brother from a lifestyle of street habits, influence specifically on drug abuse. According to the narrator, he expects Sonny to follow his footsteps in finishing an education because “If you don’t finish school now, you’re going to be sorry later that you didn’t” (Baldwin 20), in addition the narrator describes the life of Sonny “weird and disordered” (Baldwin 21). The narrator uses his fear to form a communication with his brother, however Sonny’s decision of freedom in becoming a professional musician, and escaping misfortunate moments is not in communion. Thus, Sonny feels neglected by his older brother’s expectations and judgments based on his own future. “I think people ...

    Read More

  • Edward Bloor's Tangerine

    568 Words  | 2 Pages

    Have you ever been affected by a sibling or met someone that has? Weather you have or not, you should know that there are many effects caused by having a sibling. Well in the book Tangerine By Edward Bloor, Paul is affected by his brother Erik on many more occasions than any sibling should be. In this book Eriks choices affect Paul by forcing him to look like a freak, become embarrassed, and feel like a loser.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Joan Morgan's 'From Fly-Girls To Bites And Hoes'

    701 Words  | 2 Pages

    In his most recent album, Kanye West raps, “Now if I fuck this model/ And she just bleached her asshole/ And I get bleach on my T-shirt/ I 'mma feel like an asshole.” He suggests that it is the girl’s fault for getting bleach on his tee shirt, which she only did to make herself more sexually appealing. This misogyny in hip-hop culture is recognized to bring about problems. For instance, the women around these rappers believe they can only do well in life if they submit themselves to the men and allow themselves to be cared for in exchange for physical pleasure. In her essay, “From Fly-Girls to Bitches and Hoes”, Joan Morgan argues that the same rap music that dehumanizes women can be a powerful platform for gender equality if implemented correctly.

    Read More

  • Peg Kehret

    410 Words  | 1 Pages

    The comparison between siblings has become a universal problem over the past several decades, as implied in Peg Kehret’s elementary monologue, I’m NOT My Brother; I’m Me. Through Jonathan, Kehret expresses the valuable message to never judge people based on the characteristics of their siblings. As the oldest child in my family, I support Kehret’s message and additionally believe that every individual is different and hence, should not be judged or compared with their siblings, family members or friends.

    Read More

  • Scarlet Ibis Doodle Quotes

    684 Words  | 2 Pages

    Have you ever had a sibling that you were jealous of or disliked? In “The Scarlet Ibis” The narrator reminisces about his feeble and sickly brother, their time together, and how he felt about. In the short story “The Scarlet Ibis”, author James Hurst uses Doodle’s brother to show that Doodle’s brother can be kind and cruel to Doodle.

    Read More

  • Comparing The Five Stages Of Grief In Drums, Girls And Dangerous Pie

    1061 Words  | 3 Pages

    Grief is a various response to loss, particularly to the loss of someone that has died. People have a bond or affection formed over time making it hard to lose someone. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, a Swiss-born psychiatrist, presented a theory of the five stages of grief that is recognized by society. In the book, Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick, the main character Steven Alper lives a normal life. He plays drums and hates his little brother, Jeffrey. Steven is constantly being annoyed by him which, bugs Steven. When Jeffrey is diagnosed with Leukemia, Steven’s life is flipped right upside down. He is hit hard with the five stages of grief. The five stages of grief are denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Throughout the story, Sonnenblick explains the five stages of grief very well with Steven Alper.

    Read More

  • Diary Of A Wimpy Kid The Long Haul Essay

    652 Words  | 2 Pages

    Jeff Kinney’s “Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Long Haul” is a book about a boy whose life is horrible and he is always getting picked on by his brother he faces life in middle school and at home.

    Read More

  • Steven Alper Character Analysis

    914 Words  | 2 Pages

    Everything started off in Steven’s 8th grade English classroom. The topic of the day was, “The most annoying thing in the world.” So evidently, Steven wrote about his younger brother Jeffery. Jeffery was his perfect little brother; white teeth and perfect blond curls. Jeffery idolized Steven and wanted to be just like him, which lead up to the “Dangerous Pie” incident. Steven’s biggest rule with Jeffery was to never touch any of his drum stuff. But one tragic day, Steven came home to Jeffery “cooking” “Dangerous Pie” with Steven’s special drum sticks. But even after, Steven woke up early with Jeffery one morning, and being the caring brother he is, decided to make Jeffery his favorite breakfast “moatmeal.” Steven’s mother told him to never let his little brother stand on the stool

    Read More

  • Book Review of That Eye, The Sky by Tim Winton

    1641 Words  | 4 Pages

    His sister is a typical sixteen-year-old. She constantly fights with her parents, rebels against everything and practises self-mutilation- “Real careful she takes the smoke out of her mouth and looks at the hot end and put it in one of her tits and shivers”- (ok, maybe that last part isn’t typical but she is a teenager living in the bush with nowhere to go and no chance to have friends or get out of the bush so I, as a teenager, can justify why she would do something like that).

    Read More

  • How Does Brother Is Responsible For His Death

    827 Words  | 2 Pages

    Have you ever thought about murdering one of your siblings, or close family members? Brother took it all the way in “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst. Doodle, Brother’s younger sibling, was expected to die since birth; he was a premature child. The family didn’t name him for three months because they were afraid that he was going to die any second. Doodle learned how to talk way before he could walk, forcing the narrator to pull him around in a gocart everywhere he went. Brother became embarrassed of Doodle and taught him to walk. Doodle dies at age six, and Brother is responsible for his death. The narrator is responsible, because he knew about Doodle’s undeveloped organs, and over-worked him. Brother’s only motivation to teach Doodle to run, swim, climb and walk was the fact that he was embarrassed to have a crippled sibling. Finally, he was aware that Doodle was afraid of being alone and left him to die.

    Read More

  • Sonnys blues

    710 Words  | 2 Pages

    “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin relies on music to convey the theme of hardships for both Sonny and his older brother. The relationship between the two siblings is rocky. “I didn't write Sonny or send him anything for a long time.” said the older brother. Jazz is able to bring both of them closer together and have a better understanding of one another. With the older brother appreciating Sonny’s love for jazz it also allows him to the troubles in both their lives. Through Sonny’s music he was able to help his brother’s pain and in return his brother was able to help him. At first the older brother said, “I simply couldn't see why on earth he'd want to spend his time hanging around nightclubs, clowning around on bandstands," but towards the end of his brothers performance his views changed. He sends Sonny a drink after his performance and Sonny nods back to him. This represents the acknowledgment that Sonny now has his older brother’s approval. Even though Sonny and his brother still have different views and understandings of music it is still their own opinion. Their relationship and bond strengthen with the help of music.

    Read More

  • Steven Gene Senatro Essay

    939 Words  | 2 Pages

    From the beginning of middle school, his teachers failed to report Steven’s decline in his understanding of the schooling subjects. Each year, Steven moved onto the next grade without realizing he was lacking education that was crucial for the next level. By the end of 8th grade, each student was required to take the AIMs test to see the comprehension and literacy skills of the students. Steven received his test results at the end of the year and the results were nowhere near his 3.6 gpa. His reading and math skills were at a 4th grade level. Steven and his parents as well as his teachers were perplexed at his lack of education and took it to the school board. The members of the board decided that Steven’s parents could make a decision by either choosing to let Steven continue into any high school that would accept him or homeschool for a year. His parents decided to take him off and homeschool him till he was ready for freshman year of high school. “It’s hard not to be a normal kid in a normal world” (Steven Senatro). Steven was truly disappointed, realizing that he would have to leave his childhood friends behind and begin a new chapter in his

    Read More

  • Cinderella : A Story of Sibling Rivalry and Oedipal Conflicts, by Bruno Bettelheim

    1475 Words  | 3 Pages

    Most children experience agony and hope as they face the struggles of sibling rivalry throughout their childhood. This situation has been experienced by children, of whom may or may not have siblings, for hundreds of years. Several stories represent this crisis, including the Biblical story of Abel and Cain which was written over 3000 years ago. Abel of whom was forced to be Cain’s ash-brother. Cain had developed an intense feeling of jealousy of Abel when his offering to the Lord was rejected while Abel’s was accepted. This caused him great agony, but he wasn’t the only one. The fairytale “Cinderella” encompasses the ideas of sibling rivalry as well as the agonies and hopes that correspond with it.

    Read More

  • Siblings' Relationship in James Baldwin's Sonny's Blues

    1606 Words  | 4 Pages

    Eminent psychologists have made convincing arguments for the effect birth order has on personality. In addition, laymen can cite innumerable examples of domineering, pragmatic, reliable older siblings contrasting with those fitting the "youngest stereotype" -- irresponsible, spoiled, and selfish. Such character traits often cause lifelong conflict between siblings. In his short story "Sonny's Blues," James Baldwin shows a profound example of such sibling friction. Baldwin paints a realistic portrait of an older brother, Richard (the narrator), always steady, predictable, and in control, and Sonny, a musician and recovering heroin addict who looks at the world through a different lens. Throughout his life Richard distances himself from Sonny, both by rejecting his views and attempting to control him. During the story, we see Richard evolve into finally understanding and communicating with Sonny, which requires him truly to listen to both his brother's words and his music. Baldwin's story represents an example for all those experiencing conflict, whether or not they are brothers. By letting go of our yearning to subjugate others and make them fit the molds we think they should, as Richard discovers, we pave the way for harmony and meaningful relationships.

    Read More

More about Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie Literary Analysis

Open Document