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3. Emma
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in With the Fire on High, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Coming of Age and Teen Parenthood
Creativity vs. Professional Norms
Food and Connection
Caregiving, Independence, and Identity
Support, Community, and Mentorship
Summary
Analysis
Angelica is waiting on the corner for Emoni, rocking red-streaked hair, red lipstick, and absurdly tight leggings. Emoni teases her about what the boys at school and Angelica’s girlfriend, Laura, will think. After Angelica came out last year, she met Laura at a summer graphic design workshop. Angelica responds by asking if Tyrone is still being a “dick.” Emoni loses herself in her thoughts—Tyrone is, and it’s not making things any easier for Emoni, who’s beginning her senior year of high school. Further, ’Buela is insisting that Emoni take on more responsibility for Babygirl.
This passage subtly implies that Angelica and Emoni have vastly different concerns. Angelica is worried about looking good, while Emoni is trying to balance coparenting, being a more active parent herself, and finishing high school. The simple fact of having a child makes Emoni’s life much harder than Angelica’s, as she has less time to be a kid and enjoy this final year of childhood.
Themes
Angelica pulls Emoni out of her reverie by asking what Emoni made last time Angelica babysat Babygirl. It was pollo guisado, and Emoni asks if it was good. Angelica says it was so great that she would love it if Emoni catered her six-month anniversary dinner with Laura next month. As the girls get on the bus, Emoni says she’s not a caterer. But she pulls out her phone and takes notes on the meal anyway.
Though Emoni insists she isn’t a caterer, she also seems to see catering Angelica and Laura’s anniversary meal as a way to connect with her friend and give Angelica an important gift. Food, in this sense, is how Emoni strengthens her relationships with her friends and loved ones.
Themes
