Oranges

Gary Soto

16 pages 32-minute read

Gary Soto

Oranges

Fiction | Poem | Adult | Published in 1985

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

The Boy is a twelve-year-old living in a working-class neighborhood who is going on his first date. He acts with gentlemanly courtesy toward his date but faces a practical problem, having only a single nickel to his name. He prepares for the outing by bringing fruit along on the walk, which he later uses to handle a difficult financial situation at the store.

Key Relationships

Romantic interest of The Girl

Customer of The Saleswoman

The Girl is a preteen who reciprocates the boy's romantic interest and joins him for a winter walk. She readies herself carefully for the cold weather and the occasion, putting on gloves and wearing bright rouge on her cheeks. Inside the drugstore, she selects a chocolate bar that costs a dime, unaware that this exceeds her date's budget.

Key Relationships

Romantic interest of The Boy

Supporting Characters

The Saleswoman works at the local shop where the boy and girl go to look at the candies tiered on shelves. She watches the children walk through the narrow aisles of goods. When the boy presents an unorthodox payment method for a ten-cent chocolate, she faces a choice between enforcing strict store policies and showing empathy to a young customer.

Key Relationships

Clerk to The Boy