Oranges:
1. Symbol of Abundance and Scarcity: Oranges can represent the disparity in access to resources, highlighting how some people have an excess of wealth and opportunities, while others struggle to meet basic needs.
2. Economic Struggles: Oranges are sometimes presented as a luxury or a treat that is unattainable for low-income individuals, illustrating economic hardships.
3. Childhood Experiences: Soto draws upon personal experiences from his own childhood, where oranges were a rare and cherished treat, evoking a sense of nostalgia and bittersweet memories.
4. Social Exclusion: Oranges can symbolize the denial of opportunities and resources to certain groups of people, leading to social exclusion and marginalization.
Fair Trade:
1. Critique of Exploitation: Soto uses fair trade as a lens to examine exploitative practices in global trade, raising awareness about workers' rights and the fair compensation of producers in marginalized communities.
2. Economic Empowerment: Fair trade represents a call for promoting economic justice and empowering individuals and communities affected by unfair trade practices.
3. Cultural Exchange: Fair trade highlights the importance of valuing and respecting diverse cultures and acknowledges the contributions of marginalized producers to the global economy.
4. Addressing Global Inequalities: Soto employs fair trade as a means to address broader issues of global inequalities, advocating for a more ethical and compassionate approach to trade relationships.
Overall, Gary Soto's use of oranges and fair trade as recurring themes aims to shed light on social and economic inequalities, raise awareness about the struggles of marginalized communities, and promote fair and just practices in society and global trade. These themes align with Soto's commitment to addressing social issues, particularly those affecting Hispanic and working-class communities in the United States.