Adam Almontaser 10/22/14

 Ashes Blog Final 

          “When there is no struggle, there is no strength” - Oprah Winfrey. In the short story Ashes by Beth Pfefferer, we see a lot of struggles and issues with Ashes. There is a clear theme that relationships can be complicated between parents and their kids. Sometimes our relationships can influence our life choices and give us decisions that will lead us to our future. Ashes has to deal with her fathers manipulation, there are promises not kept and her decisions on choosing to listen to her father or standby her mother.

          One of the issues Ashes has to deal with is her fathers verbal manipulation, he always says she is “One in a Million” to make her feel comfortable when she is with her dad. Her father used compliments to make Ashes do stuff she would have never done. She was “ordered” by her father to take money, $200 from her mom’s keep safe to give it to his dad from his divorced wife. “The skies turned grey as she looked out the window when she stole her moms’ keep safe money.” The skies turning grey is a sign of guilt. Ashes knew she did something wrong, she just thought she was helping her dad, but he knew she wasn’t. Ashes was out eating with her dad when he said his famous line, “ Your one in a million.” Her father thinks that his plan of manipulation is working but Ashes has suspicions. “Am I really?” I asked, not needing the reassurance. I knew I wasn’t a one in a million girl, no matter how often Dad told me I was.” Ashes didn’t need the reassurance because she is told that so many times. She know her dad isn’t truthful when he says “One in a million.” Ashes knows her dads methods and tactics to use her.

          Ashes also has to deal with as a young adult is accepting that her dad promises won’t be kept. Ashes’ dad promised her a necklace of stars, she never got it. “Dad used to promise me the stars for a necklace, but like most of his promises, that one never quite happened.” From this there is a clear statement, her dad has impossible promises, or in other words, unrealistic. “Mom said ‘He’s an irresponsible bum. That was her way of wording it.” This quote also supports the fact that the dad is untruthful, and irresponsible, bums are exactly that. Irresponsible people can’t keep promises, her dad is one of them.

          Lastly, another issue that Ashes has to deal with, is her decision making between her mother and her father. “No, I just thought maybe you could borrow the money, just for a day or two, until I straighten out all my finances. Your mother would never know the difference.” This the part where Ashes has to listen to her father, or standby her mother. This is a crucial moment in the book, she can destroy her relationship with her dad, who she sees twice a week, or her mom where she sees her on a normal day to day basis. “Dad touched me on my shoulder, gloved hand on winter coat. ‘You’re one in a million,’ he said to me. ‘The best daughter a man could dream of.” This quote is giving Ashes the “reassurance” she needs to give her dad the money. Although the short story didn’t end there, it left off with Ashes staring at the keep safe money listening to her dads car rumble in the distance. “Your one in a million it cried.”

         In conclusion, struggles and teen issues relate to the book as a whole because Ashes is faced with many challenges, and tough decisions. Beth Pfefferer is clear and successful on bringing her message across throughout the short story because Ashes struggles and challenges are visible, they are relateable. From the ending of the short story, many predictions can be formed. She will take the money and make her dad joyful, or leave the money and make him disappointed. The quote “When there is no struggle, there is no strength” - Oprah Winfrey really ties into this book because this proves that Ashes is strong because there is lots of struggle in this short story.