This drawing is a visual representation of James's struggles fending off life's anvil. The anvil represents the enormous pressures he feels from his brothers and father "to be a man."
James is a very empathetic, loving boy who is confronted with life's realities. James is hopeful and wants to save the kitten, but it isn’t to be so. The red represents his sense of love and devotion for all animals.The dark shadows represents his grief and confusion about having a different view about how animals should be treated from his family.
The expression on his face represented by the jagged lines demonstrates his determination to not let his family determine what he thinks is important. He makes the decision to to what is best for him.
At the end of the story James says, "I will never work for Dr. Milk. I will not go hunting with my father. I will decide for myself what kind of boy I am, what kind of man I will become." (pg. 4) By doing this he unburdens himself of the anvil and he is finally free to be the person he wants to be. Unfortunately he also loses his innocence or a part of his childhood.
This is important because in life sometimes we feel so much pressure that we’re trapped underneath it. We need to take charge in these situations and throw it off of our self.
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