Confidence

[Kallen]

The book Mel Fell by Corey R. Tobor focuses on a young bird named Mel, who is scared to learn how to fly, but won’t allow her fears from stopping her to do so. Mel with great confidence decides to take a big decision and takes a big dive, which leads to her being able to successfully fly for the very first time. This book represents the central theme of confidence because Mel, doesn’t allow others to discourage her and keep her in her little nest. On the contrary she is confident enough to learn how to fly. The reading “Innocence” discusses the meaning of the word innocence and the historical changes when it comes to innocence and childhood. A quote from the reading is, “the eighteenth century as the time when western culture shifted away from conceiving of children as deficient adults- in- the- making and toward the notion that they were exemplary beings to be cherished for their primal otherness and authenticity (Gubar, 106). This story book highlights the idea that children are often innocent and members of society who should be taken care of. For example, the other characters tried to prevent Mel from falling and from possibly hurting herself. In addition, the ending of the story, allows the reader to reflect and feel the connection between Mel, the love of her mother, and her great accomplishment. Overall, this story book can describe how society nurtures children as well contributes the general theme of confidence, as the reader can relate to the fear that Mel felt.