We can split the characters in Parrot in the Oven: Mi Vida into two categories: the hard workers and the slackers. On the hard working side, we've got folks like Manny, Mom, and Magda, who might not all like their jobs, but persist in their work anyway. And then there are the lazier characters like Dad and Nardo, who'd rather sit on their bums all day, and whose slacking puts some serious pressure on the rest of the family at times.
On the plus side, even Dad and Nardo have moments when they figure out how to persevere. And sometimes this means a major transformation from Slacker Extraordinaire to Employee of the Year.
Questions About Perseverance
- What types of hard work do we see in this book? And what makes these tasks so difficult? Are there certain types of work that are super easy?
- How is hard work rewarded in Parrot in the Oven? And how is it punished? All in all, is perseverance worth all the time and effort?
- How does perseverance impact family relations?
- Which characters really value hard work? Are there certain characters that don't ever try very hard?
Chew on This
Hard work pays off—Manny perseveres through tons of different circumstances, and in the end he comes out on top.
Hard work is the pits—no matter how hard Manny tries, there are some things he just can't change, which means perseverance doesn't pay off in the end.