Analysis of Gary Soto's Oranges
             Most people can recall their first kiss. Many times, this is a defining moment in our lives; a moment when we take one step closer to adulthood. The imagery in Gary Soto's "Oranges" reflects a time of innocence when we were preparing for future endeavors of emotional risk and personal identity.
             At the beginning of the poem, I get the sense that the boy is a little apprehensive in meeting his female companion as he states, "Cold and weighted down/With two oranges in my jacket." (Soto 3-4) Certainly, two oranges aren't going to weigh anyone down, therefore the image described must be the nervousness along with the anticipation of meeting her. "As I walked toward/Her house, the one whose/Porch light burned yellow/Night and day, in any weather," tells me that he has been thinking about her for a long time. (Soto 8-11) As she comes out of her house, some of that nervousness exits him because he smiles and even has the courage to touch her shoulder. "She came out pulling/At her gloves, face bright/With rouge," tells me that she is also excited to see him and that she is either blushing or has applied some makeup in the manner a young inexperienced women would. (Soto 13-15)
             As they enter into the drugstore and look at the candies, the boy is probably feeling for the first time a sense of maturity as he asks her what she wanted; because he's able to buy her something. In addition, he shows maturity in keeping his composure when she selects a piece of candy that costs a dime; and he only has a nickel. The imagery here provides some tension for the reader as Julianne White states in the Explicator, "The tension then comes from the readers uncertainties: Will the boy ask the girl to change her selection? Will the saleslady demand cash or no sale?" (121)
             There are many symbols in this story providing both imagery and...