Lullabies for Little Criminals Critical Analysis

LULLABIES FOR LITTLE CRIMINALS

“People give you a hard time about being a kid at twelve. They didn't want to give you Halloween candy anymore. They said things like, "If this were the Middle Ages, you'd be married and you'd own a farm with about a million chickens on it." They were trying to kick you out of childhood. Once you were gone, there was no going back, so you had to hold on as long as you could.”

Independent Novel Study by Tanisha Kotowich

The picture shown above is my representation of the quote situated right next to it. I chose such a picture for I believe it brings out the very essence that is apparent in the quote. That essence being that when one is a child, they are stereotyped to be innocent, naive and uncorrupt but there comes a time where every child encounters people in their life who will drastically change their life. For Baby, the person who influenced her the most was her father Jules. He was a hard man with interesting morals. He inflicted his morals upon Baby in hopes of her turning out to ultimately be someone better than he is. He realizes his faults and wants to better them through his daughter by giving her guidance in a strict manner, although it comes across in a manner that does not benefit his intentions. The illustration includes a girl letting go of a heart-shaped balloon. The symbolism of the heart is often associated with love and this case is no exception. It signifies the love she has for childhood and how it allows her to remain innocent and without any cares or responsibilities. The fact that it’s leaving her mirrors how Baby has no choice but to let go of the innocence she once had for she is loosing the battle between childhood comforts and adult temptation. Once that “balloon” is gone and you’ve had your fun with it, it leaves you for good without ever returning, Sure you could go to a store and purchase a new balloon but it will never be the same. One cannot bring back the innocence once it’s gone. With Baby being...