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Color The Sidewalk For Me Analysis

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One’s past experiences are very influential in the mental growth of that person, the life they live and the lessons they learn. The history of someone’s life can affect them detrimentally, having an impact so great even altering their future. In Color the Sidewalk for Me, written by Brandilyn Collins, this thought is captured perfectly. The novel is based on Celia’s life, flicking back and forth between her rough past and her happier present. Collins can incorporate religion into the story through forgiveness and blame, as well as teaching the reader morals necessary to a happy life, and tying in emotional twists along the way that portray both love and pain. Religion is present throughout the whole novel; sometimes hidden and other times …show more content…

There is a strong presence of love all throughout the story; first with Celia and her friend Danny and then with Celia and her mother towards the end. Even if the love is denied, hidden, or just simply implied, the characters are used to show that its present no matter what. The format of the writing is able to keep it interesting with the reader going back and forth between emotions. When in the past tense, the reader feels the love for Celia and Danny, but also the neglect Celia receives from her family. Although, when in the present tense, regret and nervousness is felt for what Celia must deal with. It is a constant change that keeps the reader hooked. Pain and sorrow are also revealed through the character’s past. When her mother is on her way back from the hospital with her baby brother, she designs a colorful sidewalk. Instead of being proud, her mother shuns her for the generous action. “I guess we won’t spank her this time,” the mother says in dismay of the sidewalk. (Collins, 25) When Celia admits to falling in love with bad-boy Danny, her mother refuses to accept it. Guilt-ridden and grieving, Celia is driven from her hometown and family. It is upsetting and heart-wrenching for the reader to follow. Collins provides a powerful and emotionally charged story, compelling the reader to feel a certain way due to the descriptive

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