Mr. Fisher in Tangerine Character Analysis (2024)

Character Analysis

Paul's dad is unabashedly living vicariously through Erik. The Erik Fisher Football Dream is actually the Mr. Fisher Football Dream. He goes around telling everyone he's "always regretted not being big enough to play football" at college (1.3.37). He goes to every practice and every game Erik plays in, and is just as desperate to be friends with his coach as Arthur is with Erik. Everything he does is done to further Erik's football career—so he can get some of his reflected glory. Poor Paul isn't really important to him at all.

When his dad comes home after work, the day Paul escapes the sinkhole, does he ask his son if he's okay? Or to tell him all about it? Or even just give him a relieved hug? Nope. He's furious because he's being blamed for the sinkhole, since Old Charley Burns is out of town. It's all about him, and his dignity, and his feelings. Sound like anyone else we know?

Like Father, Like Son

Yeah. We're going to go out on a limb here and blame dad. (And partly mom.) For some reason, Mr. Fisher identifies with Erik. Any insult to Erik, like when the newscasters make fun on his slide at the football game, is an insult to him.

But here's something to think about. Mr. Fisher is as big a coward as Erik. He won't take responsibility for Erik's actions, just like Erik won't take responsibility. Erik makes his "sidekicks" do all the dirty work; Mr. Fisher makes Erik win all the glory.

Sounds like these two have a lot of years of therapy in front of them.

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Mr. Fisher in Tangerine Character Analysis (2024)

FAQs

How would you describe Mr. Fisher in Tangerine? ›

Fisher is as big a coward as Erik. He won't take responsibility for Erik's actions, just like Erik won't take responsibility. Erik makes his "sidekicks" do all the dirty work; Mr. Fisher makes Erik win all the glory.

What are the characteristics of Paul Fisher in Tangerine? ›

Paul Fisher

While not particularly bookish, focusing on soccer, he is clearly thoughtful and curious. His interest in Luis and the tangerine groves is genuine, and his desire to find recognition from beneath his brother's shadow is keen. In the course of the book, Paul learns to value himself and to confront his fears.

What are the character traits of Erik Fisher? ›

Erik is very rude, disrespectful, dissolute, sneaky, and egocentric, versus his brother being very kind and caring to others. Erik's actions of evil traits are ongoing, but definitely more pronounced by his actions after Mike Costello's death.

In what way is Mr Fisher blind Tangerine? ›

He has been told his whole life that he became blind from staring at a solar eclipse for an hour. But he can't remember it. Paul and his family are now moving to Florida to start a new life. Paul's zombies are following, waiting to come out of the shadows and finally reveal what they've been hiding from Paul.

Who is Mr. Fisher? ›

Novels. Adam Fisher (more commonly known as "Mr. Fisher") was the husband of Susannah and is the father of Conrad and Jeremiah. He's known to be a man who has to have his way no matter what it costs or who it hurts.

How are Paul and Mrs Fisher different? ›

Answer and Explanation:

Paul is unafraid to face the truth and spends time in the novel trying to remember what actually happened to him, while Mrs. Fisher is willing to pretend the events surrounding his injury didn't happen. Mrs. Fisher is very concerned with appearances, as seen with the family's move to a new home.

How does Mr Fisher affect Paul? ›

A choice made by Erik Fisher affected Paul by Making him blind. “... I remembered Erik's fingers prying my eyelids open while Vincent Castor sprayed white paint into them'', Page 264 . Erik chose to do this because he thought that Paul snitched on Vincent and Erik, so they gave him “payback”.

What grade is Paul Fisher in Tangerine? ›

Paul Fisher

The protagonist, is twelve years old and in seventh grade. He is considered to be legally blind. He plays soccer, mostly as goalie.

Who is Paul afraid of Tangerine? ›

Answer. Answer:Paul, had feared his older brother, Erik, for his entire life. In the book, Erik is described as a selfish character that didn't care for Paul in the very least.

What happens to Erik in Tangerine? ›

As they leave, they find the police, led to the house by Joey, waiting outside to arrest Erik and Arthur for the murder of Luis. Paul tells the cops what he saw instead of covering for his brother. The police arrest Arthur while Erik is placed under house arrest.

Why is Erik mean to Paul in Tangerine? ›

Erik chose to do this because he thought that Paul snitched on Vincent and Erik, so they gave him “payback”. Paul was told that he looked at a solar eclipse which made him blind but was later revealed to him that it was Erik and his Goon's Fault, which enraged him.

Is Paul Fisher a dynamic character? ›

In Edward Bloor's novel Tangerine, Paul Fisher is the main character and narrator. He is also a dynamic character. The main change he goes through is finding his identity in the shadow of his older brother, Erik.

Who is the villain in Tangerine? ›

Erik Fisher

Erik is pure evil. He is the bane of Paul's existence—if there were no Erik, there would be no conflict. He takes almost all their parents' attention and pride, he drives away Paul's friends, and he's hurt Paul physically and emotionally.

Who killed Luis in Tangerine? ›

Luis tries to avenge his brother after Erik strikes him. Erik's friend Arthur strikes Luis in the head with a blackjack, causing Luis to have an aneurysm and die. Luis's death motivates Paul to tell the truth about what he saw Erik and Arthur do.

Who goes to jail in Tangerine? ›

As the meeting ends, the police show up at the Fishers to arrest Arthur. Everyone watches as they handcuff Arthur and charge him for the murder of Luis. Shocked, Arthur's father rattles off excuses for Arthur, but Paul blurts out that he saw the whole thing and it was Arthur who struck Luis.

What are some facts about Erik Fisher Tangerine? ›

Erik is Paul's cruel older brother, though his personality is unclear at the beginning of the novel. Erik is the one who tells Paul that Paul was blinded when he looked at an eclipse too long, which turns out to be a lie. Erik gets the lion's share of his parents' attention.

Who are the fishers in Tangerine? ›

Character List
  • Paul Fisher. The protagonist and narrator of the story. ...
  • Erik Fisher. Paul's older brother. ...
  • Mrs. Fisher. ...
  • Mr. Fisher. ...
  • Joey Costello. Paul's first friend in Florida. ...
  • Luis Cruz. Theresa's and Tino's older brother. ...
  • Theresa Cruz. Luis's sister and Tino's twin sister. ...
  • Tino Cruz.

What grade is Paul Fisher in in the book Tangerine? ›

Paul Fisher

The protagonist, is twelve years old and in seventh grade. He is considered to be legally blind.

Where is Paul Fisher from in Tangerine? ›

Paul Fisher and his family move from Houston, Texas to Lake Windsor Downs in Tangerine, Florida. Erik, the older son, looks forward to a football scholarship at the university of his choice. Paul, the younger son, is visually impaired and legally blind but plays soccer.

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