Oranges

In the poem “Oranges” by Gary Soto, the two oranges that the young boy begins the poem with have very rich symbolism. At every major point of his journey, the oranges add a strong degree of meaning. Before we look at the specific symbolic meaning of the oranges in this text though, we must first look at the general use of oranges as a symbol. The online Dictionary of Symbolism constructed by Allison Protas has this to say about oranges: “Like many fruits, the orange has become predominantly a symbol of fertility; if it is depicted in Paradise, it is the fruit of the Fall, occasionally replacing the apple as the Forbidden fruit. As a color, orange is most often linked to flame and fire, conveying their qualities. Orange can also mean luxury.” Some of this symbolism finds itself in Gary Soto’s poem. Although there is nothing related to fertility in this poem, it is about a relationship between a boy and a girl, which makes it suitable for this story. Probably most significant is the idea that “orange is most often linked to flame and fire, conveying their qualities,” because at the end of this poem, the young boy states that:

I peeled my orange
That was so bright against
The gray of December

That, from some distance,
Someone might have thought
I was making a fire in my hands. (1051)

There is also some symbolism in this poem that relies on the context of the poem to determine. The poem begins with the boy saying that he was “cold and weighted down with two oranges in my jacket” (1051). The oranges are symbolic of his feelings. All of us have experienced the nervousness of being with someone that we liked just as this twelve year old boy is experiencing it here. The second time the oranges provide rich symbolism is in the drugstore. His desire to impress the girl is expressed by his confident presentation of an orange to the cashier. When the cashier accepts the orange as payment from him, the orange instantly gains significant worth. It now symbolizes his success in impressing his girl. As they walk home and he begins peeling the remaining orange, it is no longer simply an orange but a symbol of determination, affection, and success.



Protas, Allison. Dictionary of Symbolism. n.p., n.d. Web. 21 March 2011.

Soto, Gary. “Oranges.” The Literary Experience. Ed. Beiderwell, Bruce and Jeffrey M. Wheeler. Boston: Thomson Wadsworth, 2008. 1051. Print.