Chapter 2 - pg. 19
Text from book:
"Since they had begun to fend for themselves, Prosper had learned how to steal. Only food at first, but then money too. He hated it. He always got scared and his fingers started to tremble every time. Bo, however, thought it was an exciting game. Prosper had forbidden his brother to steal anything and he told him off very harshly every time he caught him. He certainly didn't want to give Esther a chance to say that he had turned his little brother into a thief."
My Reaction: I really identified with Prosper in this passage. As an older sister, I am often guilty of playing "Mom" to my sister Beth. If I do something that might be questionable, but I do it anyway - I definitely make sure that Beth doesn't follow in my footsteps. Also , I think that Prosper is really taking on a more mature, "older brother" stance in this passage. He has led Bo to a place which he thought to be magical and -so far- it has not turned out as he imagined. They are living in an abandoned theater and having to steal to eat. He might feel guilty about because they have ended up in such a compromising position.
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I liked this quote too. I saw Prosper as being the provider for his family. He stole out of neccessity for the survival of his family. He was a little boy put in the unfortunate possition of becoming a grownup. He knew what he was doing was morally against everything he stood for, but his brother just saw the whole things through the wonder of a child's eyes. This upset Prosper, probably because he though he was being an immoral example to Bo.
ReplyDeleteIm an only child, but I feel the same way about looking after my younger cousin, who i treat like a litte brother. He's 14, and has so much to learn, espceially about being grownup. I don't want him giving up on things like schoolwork and family, to only have hobbies that are nonsense for his age. The first few chapters reminded immediately reminded me of Oliver Twist and Great Expectations. In all 3, the young boys were orphaned or poor, and their influences were old boys who pickpocketed and stole items from others.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think that prosper is torn between being a responsible role model and having to do what he has to in order for him and Bo to survive. The passage states that Prosper knows that stealing is wrong and that he hates to do it but knows if he does not then he and Bo might not have anything to eat. Bo thinks of stealing as an adventure-something to do for the fun of it. Prosper does not want to give his little brother the wrong impression so he struggles with the fact that he has to steal.
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