Topic > Literary Analysis of the Cake by Gary Soto

Almost no human being can deny that they have not done something they would like to take back or regret. At some point in life, anyone may remember an unfortunate event in their life and wish they could go back in time to do it again. In his memoir, "The Pie," Gary Soto describes how religion influenced his struggle with his decisions and explains his guilt due to his struggle with making moral decisions. In his literary work, he includes many vivid images, contrasts, and diction to describe a six-year-old's views and how religion influences thoughts and offers a distinctive perspective into the mind of a six-year-old delinquent. .Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay In Soto's memoir, contrast is used to prove a point from a child's perspective as well as a religious one. At the beginning of the song, Soto begins to explain: “I knew enough about hell to stop me from stealing. I was holy in almost every bone." Soto compares being holy in every bone to hell. This highlights that Gary knows how scary hell is, and because of this, he wants to refrain from stealing at any cost. The only flaw is that parents cannot teach their children morals and expect that they will immediately embrace the values ​​taught. Gary explains how boredom caused him to sin. The author uses imagery while Gary stands at the market with his eyes fixed on the nine different types of pie, of which pecans and apples are his favorites. This visual detail further presents Gary's desire to steal the cake. Through the image of the appetizing cake, the reader understands the boy's anxiety to get the cake. This sentence can be read from a religious point of view where the different cakes can be compared to sins because they are all different and good, but ultimately they are the same. Gary also explains that he knew the apple got Eva in trouble and despite knowing the type of sin Eva committed, Gary proceeds to steal the cake. Through the use of contrast, diction, imagery, and allusion, the author explains in depth how Gary was influenced by the decisions he made because of his religion, but his desire overpowered his determination to remain holy in his mind and soul. Transitioning from the market into the neighborhood, as Soto describes how he is eating the quiche, he returns to his guilt when cross-eyed Johnny asks Gary if he can have some pie and Gary tells him to leave. He then proceeds to devour the cake once again. Johnny watched as Gary eagerly stuffed the cake down his throat. The narrator uses the contrast between his human desires and the Christian path. He expresses that he feels guilty but then resumes demolishing the cake. This shows the influence of Christianity on Gary but also his maturity as a six year old. The narrator also uses an allusion where the pies can be compared to the sacred apple where Eve resembles Gary where they both committed a sin because of their desire for an object. Later, when Soto describes himself eating the cake, he explains that the slop was sweet and golden and was the best thing he had ever tasted. Once again, the narrator tells this by alluding to the tree of knowledge and Eve. When Gary ate the cake, he immediately realized that the cake was the tastiest thing but at the same time it was impure to his mind. Through the use of vivid imagery and exceptional use of diction, Soto greatly emphasizes the narrator's desire for the cake and allows the reader to understand what motivated him to steal. Gary says, “Mine.