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45. Forgiveness
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
As soon as Emoni started to look visibly pregnant, people began saying mean things. Students had gotten pregnant before, so maybe it was just that Emoni is petite or that people couldn’t figure out why Tyrone chose her. Angelica shut everyone down if they said something mean about Emoni. When Angelica came out to Emoni that year, Emoni learned what “it meant to be a fierce friend.” When Angelica came out to everyone else junior year, Emoni defended her like Angelica defended Emoni years earlier. Emoni ignored the teasing and held Angelica’s hand in the hallway. Holding on like this is what it means to be a sister.
Both Emoni and Angelica have shown up for each other over the years. This helps explain why, in the present, Emoni turns to Angelica so often: Angelica has consistently been there for her, even during really difficult periods of her life. Still, it’s worth remembering that Emoni doesn’t feel comfortable in the present telling Angelica the truth about what’s going on in her culinary arts class. On some level, Emoni may fear disappointing Angelica and losing her support as well.
Themes
