Short Summary Of The Poem Orange By Gary Soto

Contrast in the poem is a common theme that is used often in the poem. In addition to Soto using contrast in imagery we see it also in the symbolism used in the piece. These object are very special and important to the story and their contrasts brings out the narrators love and devotion for his partner. Take for example the most obvious symbol, which exist as the title of poem, the orange. The orange is such and interesting symbol because in contrast which quite a few symbols and elements. The first element that contrasts with oranges is with the setting of the story, winter. In lines 5 the Narrator states “ December. Frost cracking”, which clear states it’s winter. Oranges are not a winter crop and because you don’t find them in-season in December typically they have a special value. In line 4 the narrator states “With two oranges in my jacket.” And because this is a date one can assume that the second orange was intended for the narrator’s partner. For this we can see that the narrator intended to share something very valuable with her. However the Narrator doesn’t share it with his partner he use it to buy her something that she wants.
A nickle in my pocket,
And when she lifted a chocolate
That cost a dime,

I didn’t say anything.
I took the nickle from
My pocket, then an orange,
And set them quietly on
The counter. (31-38)

This sacrifice that the narrator takes to make sure his Partner is appropriately cared for and gets what she wants.

The author sacrificing the oranges, with its intrinsic value, for the wants of his partner show affection and devotion to his partner. Another contrast that occurs oranges is what the author trades it for, chocolate. The chocolate contrast with the oranges also reinforces its unique value. Chocolate is a dark creamy rich food where a citrus is bright and sweet. This reflects in the whole of the story because it models the sacrifice the narrator is willing to take for his partner and his devotion; Bright for Dark, but both sweet with affection. The symbol of the orange and its contrasts really exemplifies the narrator’s devotion for his

partner.
Finally, form is used in the Poem to depict that the Narrator does look back on his relationship with affection. Form in how he writes and formats the poem. In the poem there is a break between lines 42 and 43 where a new stanza begins. In the second stanza the narrator says,
The gray of December
That from some distance,
Someone might have thought
I was making a fire in my hands. (53-57).

This quote can be interpretied as that eventhough things were gloomy and cold that the boy still had affection and devotion for his partner. The way the narrator says “thought” which is past tense tell me that the narrator is looking back. Another use of form by soto is how he matures the writing as the poem progresses. Look at the first couple of lines (1-3), “Cold, and weighted down/With two oranges in my jacket./December. Frost cracking”, we see that the writing is descriptive and plain. In the middle of the poem the writing starts to evolve. For example the narrator states,” Light in her eyes, a smile/Starting at the corners/Of her mouth. I fingered”(lines 28-30). This is a much more complete thought with intent and meaning then the first example. Finally we look at lines 53-57 previously mentioned above. This example is complete and very complex and mature and has evolved much from the other two examples. This evolution in Mature and complex though reflects in the relationship. As the thoughts become more mature and blossom so does the relationship, which reflects devotion and fondness. Form can be used to reflect and portray devotion and affection and is on that Soto uses effectively.
First love, something that is an element in all of human life is something that Soto crafts beautifully. Soto cleverly use Imagery, Symbolism, and Form to portray to the reader an example of first love, that first love is Devotion and Affection but has subtle seriousness. From the narrator’s perspective one can empathies with and understand what its like and from this some reader might relate to his/her first love and remember what its like. Soto’s poem is a beautiful portrayal of first love and it’s elements of affection and devotion.