Did you flinch when Dad is hunting for Mom with his rifle? Was your stomach in knots when the neighbors bullied Manny? Did you cringe when the shot went off in Pedi's direction? Yep, Parrot in the Oven: Mi Vida is chockfull of violent scenes. Whether Manny is at home, in school, or out on the town, there's almost always some bully or rifle that might pop up and cause serious damage. Plus, Manny himself can be violent, too, even if it's not totally on purpose. Consider yourselves warned: This book punches readers in the gut sometimes.
Questions About Violence
- What types of violence do we encounter in Parrot in the Oven? How are the violent moments physically destructive? Are there also forms of violence that are mentally or emotionally devastating? How so?
- Who are the most violent characters in the book? What about the least violent ones? And what causes the difference between the two?
- What are the negative effects of violence? Are there any positive side effects to all the abuse?
Chew on This
In Parrot in the Oven, violence is always super destructive, so it's never a good thing. Never ever.
In Parrot in the Oven, sometimes violence can actually be (kind of) a good thing because it can inspire people to do better.