A Solitary Blue

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Christine Winkler English 9 - Analytical Essay 8 October 2010 Analytical Essay: A Solitary Blue In the book A Solitary Blue, Cynthia Voigt tells a conflicting story of a young boy named Jefferson Greene whose mother, Melody, abandons him to his unexpressive father and forces Jeff to mature in a way that real people can relate to with their own experiences. Initially, Jeff was dependent on his mother for love and protection. Unfortunately, when his mother abandons him with his distant and unemotional father, Jeff becomes closed up inside and does not know how to express his loneliness. Later on, however, Jeff develops an internal strength to move on and also begins to build a healthy relationship with his father. In the face of a sudden, unexpected loss, Jeff Greene gradually learns to be independent as well as socially interact, and ultimately develops in his maturity and intellectual strength. Initially, Jeff was dependent on his mother for love and protection. At first Melody was the parent who Jeff turned to and clung to when he was upset: “She [Melody] didn’t mind if he was sad or cried, because she would hug him.” (Voigt 8). This quote indicates that Melody always was willing to be there for him as a loving and kind support. This means that Melody was providing for Jeff’s emotional needs and his need for an affectionate, caring parent in times of hurting. Jeff always relied on Melody instead of the Professor, because Melody was the parent who gave Jeff support and comforted him whenever he was struggling. There is not mutual friendship between Jeff and his father, at least as expressed in the book. Unfortunately, when his mother abandons him with his distant and unemotional father, Jeff becomes closed up inside and does not know how to express his loneliness. When Melody suddenly leaves Jeff when he is only in second grade, he has no one to
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