SHORT BIOGRAPHY HISTORY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

SHORT BIOGRAPHY HISTORY - Essay Example Furthermore, living near the borders must have accentuated his â€Å"difference† from the dominant white class. Nevertheless, it could be that because of his difference that he enjoyed life from another perspective. In â€Å"The Secret Lion,† Rà ­os shows that human nature and nature nurtured his intellectual, social, and emotional development as a biracial adolescent. Human nature’s tendency to seek for freedom and opportunity dominated Rà ­os’ teenage life. When he and his friend Sergio found a â€Å"cannonball,† they called it a â€Å"lion† (Rà ­os par. 1). The title says it is a secret lion, because they told no one of this â€Å"treasure† that they found. This lion represents freedom and opportunities. It allowed Alberto and Sergio the freedom to own something no one can take away from them. Being twelve years old, they know that adults will only confiscate their discovery. Rà ­os says: â€Å"That’s the way it works with little kids†¦Junior high kids too† (6). Adults are shown as thieves of innocent happiness. It is up to Alberto to use his human nature to protect what he thinks is his. So they take this cannon ball and hide it and never tell anyone about it, especially adults. The â€Å"lion† also stands for something mystically strong and perfect. Having this ball in their poss ession gives them the opportunity to feel something â€Å"perfect† in their lives. It is round and therefore â€Å"perfect and it spreads perfection to its beholders (5). It is â€Å"heavy† and they feel its importance. If they have something important, then they too are important. They do not have to feel smaller, as some minorities do in dominant white cultures. They can be round and perfect; they can be special like this lion. When Alberto says that this ball changed them, he implies that it made them â€Å"roar† (1). They have found a symbol of empowerment. A cannon ball explodes. It has inert power that is waiting to be released. Alberto must have felt this lion is him