Tangerine

Study Guide

Summary

Preface

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Summary Preface

Summary: Preface

In the preface to the novel Tangerine, readers are introduced to Paul Fisher, a seventh grader. Paul is about to leave his home in Houston, Texas. His family is moving to Florida, and his father and brother Erik have gone ahead, leaving Paul and his mother to do the final packing. Paul wears thick glasses because there is something wrong with his eyesight. Paul takes a trash bag out to the curb, where he has a flashback as he looks up at the sun. He remembers being chased by a car down the street as he was riding his bicycle. In the memory, someone wearing a ski mask is leaning out the window with a baseball bat. Paul falls off his bike before the person can strike at his head with the bat. Paul, scared, runs to tell his parents that the person is Erik, his older brother. His mom points to Erik, who is sitting on the couch, telling Paul it can’t be Erik. Paul then has a vision of a zombie, who he later believes follows him and his mother on the road to Florida after they lock up the house.

Analysis: Preface

The preface establishes that the story will be told from Paul’s point of view, as the novel is based on his journal entries. Paul’s point of view, however, is limited, since he is a child, and there is only so much he can understand or piece together. However, his point of view reveals that Paul can sense danger around him, especially in regard to his brother Erik. Through Paul’s descriptions, the reader can immediately identify that something is wrong with Erik, and Paul fears him for a reason, as Paul’s visions are vivid and seem to foreshadow impending revelations about the true nature of his family.

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