Topic > Onion Symbolism in Buried Onions by Gary Soto

In the book Buried Onions by Gary Soto, it is set in Fresno California. Fresno is a depressing city where gang members prowl every corner looking for something terrible to do. Eddie is a young boy who didn't have the best childhood, from his father's death at a young age to being born in such a horrible, depressing town in California. He believes there is a reason the city is the way it is. His theory is that there is an onion buried under the city. Overall throughout the story the onion symbolizes sadness in a scary environment which is fueled by the bitter tone. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay It is very painful and depressing in the city of Fresno, crime happens every second, everywhere. The author thinks that by inserting this quote “The sun was rising above the trees of City College and soon the black asphalt would shimmer with vapor. I had a theory about those vapors, that they were not released by the heat of the sun but by a huge onion buried under the city. This onion made us cry." Fresno is a very bland, dangerous city and a ghetto full of crime and hate. Many people living in Fresno have had to deal with great fear of the Fresno barrio in which they lived and all the crisis that comes with losing a significant number of loved ones. The onion that is covered under the city organizes piety. People use the onion as an approach to describe how they feel about their lost loved ones. According to Eddie, this is how he acts when Angel is around. “This is my message home. I'm not involved, really. Lupe told me to stay calm and went for a light jog, pulling up his khakis as he jumped over a curb... I thought of that red ant with the white bow, "Stay straight," I I am told. "Don't get confused, Angel is a gangster." Here it is shown that Angel is a criminal, in Fresno where all the terrible violations occur, problems occur and pain is supported. The onion symbolizes the misery that Fresno's desperate and scary air causes. “His eyes were watering as if he had smelled onions.” The onion steam gets to everyone making them sad and everyone else in town unhappy. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In the barrio of Fresno, the mind- The setting and tone are how wary people walk around their city terrified in light of all the wrongdoing. Fresno is a shocking and hopeless place where packs lurk around every corner looking for something horrendous to do. Eddie is a young boy who didn't have the best youth, from his father's death at an energetic age, to being considered in such a horrible and demoralizing California town. Eddie recognizes that there is an inspiration that drives why the city is the way it is. His hypothesis is that there is a protected onion under the city. Eddie has expressions like this throughout the book. Overall the onion symbolizes desperation in a terrible space which is activated by the unpleasant tone.