Comparing Matthew And Ramon In Lunch With Lenin By Deborah Ellis

Deborah Ellis’ anthology Lunch With Lenin yields two boys named Matthew and Ramon share like and unlike traits. Both characters are the protagonists of their stories and remain static as they’ve been always making sacrifices for their family members. Matthew from “Through the Woods” courageously breaks the law to bring marijuana and care for his loving grandma. He also sacrifices his time, freedom, and happiness to ensure his Gran is at a state of peace. Ramon from “Dancing with Beads” faithfully serves his boss, Emilio by selling shaboo. Even though it’s illegal, Ramon fearlessly must work as a drug dealer anyways since it’s his only way for him to make a living to support his family. Both Matthew and Ramon care so deeply about their loved

ones that they would go through extreme measures to support them. However, Ramon reveals himself to be anxious in his story contrasting from Matthew’s ability to stay calm. With their exceptional courage leading to their selfless acts, they make their families feel content and protected at all times.

Not deterred by the law, Matthew and Ramon courageously face their obstacles.

Matthew undoubtedly purchases marijuana even though he could get a criminal record and face charges. Even the thugs at Matthew’s school do not bring fear into him. “It was no fun messing with someone who didn’t look scared… He wasn’t afraid of pain. Not anymore” (Ellis 2). It was clear that nothing was able to erode his courage. To compare, Ramon illegally and fearlessly makes a living for his family selling crystal meth. He also wants to traffick his kidney for the sake of his family despite his fear of going to jail. Both children don’t allow themselves to be stopped no matter how risky their actions are as long as they focus on their respective

goals.

Matthew and Ramon would both selflessly do what it takes to give their families peace of mind.

Matthew risks going to jail from his parents by giving his grandma marijuana to relieve her pain. He also gives up his time come visit his grandma, lying to her that he’s fine at home to negate her worries even further. “‘How are things at home?’ Gran asked. ‘The same,’ he said, then corrected himself. ‘Better.’ He tugged on his shirt cuff” (Ellis 9). Notwithstanding that his grandmother can care for Matthew, freeing him from his suffering at home, Matthew decided to instead tell his grandma otherwise because that’s just how much Matthew cares about her. Likewise, Ramon considered giving up his kidney and possibly his freedom because organ trafficking is illegal so his family wouldn’t have to be homeless. Also, he postponed his only career, risking getting fired, to spend quality time with his mother to make her happy. At the end of the day, Ramon and Matthew succeed to make their loved ones content all because they’re selfless.

Due to the pain he’s used to, Matthew is easy-going and who can work well under pressure unlike Ramon who’s rather anxious because of his inexperience of adversity. Rather than asking the many “what if” questions Ramon would do, Matthew is quick and calm to when he executes his plans. He’s able to cope well with stress when he handles drugs in public which helps him lose suspicion and make his job even easier. Contrasting from Matthew, Ramon was anxious

and asking himself many questions, like when he was in the bathroom checking himself in the mirror.

‘Ramon slipped his hand up under his barong and felt the skin on his belly, tight under his ribs. He tried to remember where his kidneys were. He felt for organs, pressing and trying to guess at shapes. Would there be just an empty space in him with one kidney gone? Would one side of his body feel heavier than the other side. Would it hurt?’ (Ellis 96).

His mom also surprised Ramon, telling him they would be going to the museum. Panicked, Ramon was confused and forgot his mother’s whole plan. These are what make Ramon a nervous and anxious person, contrasting from Matthew’s ability to stay calm.

In Deborah Ellis’ Lunch With Lenin anthology Ramon and Matthew both courageously put themselves in danger for their loved ones but Ramon expresses his stress more than Matthew. In Ramon’s case, he gets his family their basic necessities by illegally working despite the consequences are for selling crystal meth. He also risks losing his only job to spend time with his mom. Similarly, Matthew periodically offers Gran relief from her pain not only physically from the marijuana, but emotionally as well, allotting himself time to keep his grandmother company. Matthew is easy-going because he’s adapted to the abuse his parents gives him at home. Ramon never suffered as much as Matthew so when the bad news of his home getting destroyed broke out, he panicked, not knowing how to deal with it. Matthew and Ramon continue to commit their courageous and selfless acts throughout their respective stories despite the adversity they both witness. In the end, family always comes first for both Ramon and Matthew and it has always been that way. Courageous sacrifices for family are what make Matthew and Ramon similar, however their ability to stay calm varies.