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Overcoming Conflict And Opening Up To Happiness In Milkweed By Jerry Spinelli

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In the novel Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli, the reader learns about the light that mankind can find in the darkness of life, this notion is further shown through the characters in this story, as they learn to express their light with gratitude in times of distress which showed the reader that in times of great conflict mankind must create happiness to maintain optimism. This is pointed out when Misha overcame conflict with acceptance into a new community, or acceptance into a family. Janina also conveys happiness when being allowed human relationships, allowing her to overcome problematic issues in her life. Overcoming conflict and opening up to happiness in this story was similar to the freeness and joy of a souring milkweed. Well into the novel, during …show more content…

This request allowed Misha to overcome conflict caused by loneliness and abandonment, and be happily embedded into the Milgrom family, and their culture. This becomes clear when Mr. Milgrom says to Misha “This year you will celebrate with us,” (157) this was shocking to Misha because he was used to being denied of celebrating a Jewish holiday with the Milgroms. This change allowed Misha to fully become a Milgrom, and transform into a Jew, which for Misha was an outlet from all the distress caused by war. Being part of the Milgrom family, a Jewish family, allowed Misha to have a safe place where he can be part of a whole. A place where he can be happy. To further press this idea, at the end of the novel, it is clear that Misha has found a new way to be

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