Reading Response 2 - Analyzing Character Theme

Oscar Mendez

9/29/13

Tyrell

Tyrell, and Bronxwood, by Coe Booth

     Not many books are made like this anymore, at least not toward this degree. Tyrell and Bronxwood by Coe Booth are great young adult novels that tell the story of Tyrell, a 16 year old who goes through many difficult experiences and tests throughout his life, and eventually learning to stand up and face these tests as a man. Tyrell didn't get there by himself, that's for sure, he became a man by facing these tasks and beating them, grew up to fast is an understatement for Tyrell.

     I sell weed, and no, I don't sell weed to get the new pair of kicks coming up next month, but because if I don't, my 8 year old brother won't eat any hot food for a few days and my family willl most likely be cold outside for while until I go back out again. Didn't your mentality change a bit right there, don't you feel a little bit more understanding, or even accept my reason? Risking my freedom for a dirty 100 dollars? This is what Tyrell has been forced to do before. (Disclaimer: I don't sell any illegal products) Tyrell and his family are homeless, his fathers locked up in Rikers, and bounce around from shelter to shelter, the only way to eat something is by eating nasty city food or by working. They eventually get placed in a nasty motel Bennet, over ridden by roaches and unsafe. It's winter and there's a snow storm, and there's no jackets or boots to keep warm. Tyrell's mom is far too imbecile to work, so it falls upon Tyrell to complete the task of caring for his family. So he sells weed for a lousy 100 dollars that can only get him a cheap pair of Tims and jacket. Tyrell's economic situation forced him to sell weed, but for his family. He risked his freedom to do a man's job.

     Desperation is a force that makes people go to extremes to accomplish their goals. What if these actions weren't right, would they still be called desperateness, or necessities when you do these actions were to just provide some hot food for your family? Tyrell follows in his fathers tainted footsteps and becomes a DJ and hosts a party where drugs are sold, beer is distributed, and pimping is going on in the background? He does all this to provide for some clothes and supplies for his brother the following school year, this, to me, is a necessity. Tyrell puts on his shoes and goes out to do a job to provide some money for his family, when his mother is too "Busy" to even do that.

     When your family doesn't complete their obligations that are needed or their own benefit, who does it fall onto to do them? The one who feels the strongest about the cause. If your younger brother is in ACS possession and would like to see someone to remind himslef that someone misses him, and your the only one who sees him, not mom or dad, how do you think the child feels? Neglected. At this point in time, Tyrell throws parties frequently and has some good money. But his brother isn't with him, and moms lazy ass is in some small studio in the Bronx, who's gonna see him? Tyrell. he visits him and provides money for Troy's foster mother to buy him new clothes. Why does Tyrell do this, because he was turned into a man by these events, he was forced to become a man and do the job of an adult.

     Difficult situations force you to grow up, it is seen through Tyrells transformation. He turned into a man by passing through these events no child should ever be apart of, to come out unto, it makes me wonder about if the world around is like this.