A New Life In 'Shells' By Cynthia Rylant

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A New Life “Shells” by Cynthia Rylant is a realistic short story about a fourteen-year-old boy who must learn to live with his Aunt Esther after his parent’s death.In the beginning Michael’s parents died so Michael is living with his Aunt Esther. Soon, Esther doesn’t understand Michael. The two don’t get along. In the end Michael is allowed to get hermit crabs, Esther let him get hermit crabs and Esther loosen up and isn’t so cranky. The two get along with the hermit crabs. This story shows that Michael struggles with his parents’ deaths. Michael struggles with living with his Aunt Esther. Michael’s parents had just died. In paragraph 9, Michael doesn't care about Esther?” This proves Michael is very upset of his parent’s deaths, because he is angry, confused, and upset. …show more content…

In paragraph 9 Michael had gotten into another fight with Esther when Michael yells, “I don’t punish you! I don’t care about you! I don’t care what you eat or how you dress or where you go or what you think! “Can’t you leave me alone?” living with Aunt Esther is because his Aunt Esther doesn’t understand him. In paragraphs 21+22 Michael says that Esther is always on the phone when he gets home from school, Esther told her friends about Michael. In paragraph 22 “ Esther told her friends she didn’t understand Michael.” She knew he must grieve for his parents, but why punish her?” This quote is important because Michael does grieve for his parents , but he doesn’t know how he “punishes” her. Esther isn’t use to children. Esther is “fancy” while Michael doesn’t seem to like being

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