Gary's Brother
Soto describes his older brother’s injuries to illustrate that they mainly played outdoors in a rather dangerous environment: “My brother, two years older, wiser from glass-punctured feet, nose bleeds, and now a sliver in his palm didn't think much of this game.” To Soto, the injuries are also a sign of greater experience.
The Stray Dog
When Gary Soto meets a stray dog, he develops a strong bond with him, describing him like a stuffed animal that provides comfort: “But I could only say so much to a dog. It was better to touch. I ran a hand through his damp fur and scratched him behind his neck until he nearly fell asleep. His body was warm, and his shoulders stuck through his fur like wings. He breathed in hard puffs through a black, Tinkertoy nose. His ears were as soft as worn wallets.” By comparing his shoulders to wings, Soto describes the dog as an angel-like being.
The Devilish Horns
Even though his mother told Soto not to ride his bike on Sarah Street, he wants to go there anyway when she is gone. He knows he is doing something wrong, and even considers himself a defiant soul from hell when he describes his haircut: “I stood at the window, looking out, amazed and devious, with the devilish horns of my butch haircut standing up.”
Gary's Bedroom
After a long day of playing outside, Soto paints an idyllic and romantic picture of his bedroom, illustrating the child’s happiness and peacefulness: “At night, moonlight spears the bedroom floor, the chest of drawers, and a pile of jeans and T-shirts. The tennies lay like struck animals on the side of the road. But they are warm and soft as they let off the steam of a full day.”
