“Shells” is a short novel written by Cynthia Rylant. Its main character is an orphan called Michael. Michael is fourteen year-old, and is being raised by Aunt Esther. Michael hates Aunt Esther because there is nothing similar between Aunt Esther and his parents. The main plot is about one day, Micheal bought a hermit crab, the hermit crab costs a few dollars, which is not a lot. He named his hermit crab Sluggo. The next day, Aunt Esther thinks that the hermit crab needs a companion, so she bought a tank full of 21 hermit crabs. Just as Aunt Esther said what would Michael’s mother do once she knew that they did this, Michael felt extremely sad, but just then, he sensed the same talc Aunt Esther has that his mother also had.
Sometimes feelings toward other people can change depending on their similarities to family members. Originally, Michael thinks that there is nothing the same between Aunt Esther and his mother. This leads to Michael hating Aunt Esther because he feels that no one can be a part of his family. This ultimately means that he will feel lonely and think that he can tell no one about his inner feelings. However, at the end of the story, he sensed the familiar talc from Aunt Esther that his mother. So, he instantly liked Aunt Esther since he now sensed her a similarity to his mother.
Being a good and loyal person always pays off. Aunt Esther is extremely loyal to her family and she is way more responsible than others. She took care of Michael despite Michael being rude to her. Since she took care of Michael for a very long time, Michael started to sense the familiarity about Aunt Esther. Aunt Esther wanted Michael to like her but at first, Michael hated her and her hopes were crushed. But she still stayed with Michael, despite the dislikeness. But later, Michael sensed the talc from Esther and he instantly liked her.
Sometimes, if you give people enough chances, they might change in the way you like. Michael stayed with Aunt Esther long enough for Michael to change on the second. At first, Michael isn’t quite the nice kid she hoped. Michael is usually extremely hostile and full of hatred when he sees Aunt Esther since he is not familiar with her and thinks that he has nothing to do with her. However, Aunt Esther didn’t let this discourage her and gave up on Michael, instead, she continued to care for Michael, and in the end, when Michael had enough chances to sense the talc, Michael liked her.
In conclusion, Shells is a short novel by Cynthia Rylant. It has three themes, they are, sometimes feelings toward other people can change depending on their similarities to family members, being a good and loyal person always pays off, and sometimes, if you give people enough chances, they might change in the way you like.
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