Hurricane Song by Paul Valponi

In the book Hurricane Song by Paul Valponi, a boy Miles and his father Pops are stuck in the Super Dome during Hurricane Katrina. They struggle with surviving the harsh environment around them. People are ganging up on other and stealing each others money. People are sick and dying. To make things worse, the air conditioning has been shut down! Through their experience in Super Dome it becomes obvious to the reader that Pops begins to show more love for Miles. Before the hurricane, Pops would never show his love for Miles.  Pops has gone through a lot with Miles but Pops has grown to show his love him.  Throughout the story Pops begins to be more of a father figure.

Before the hurricane, Pops was addicted to music and at times it seemed that he loved his trumpet more than his own son. When they had to go to Super Dome, Pops seemed more concerned about bringing and saving his instruments than getting provisions that would help him and Miles survive.  He also would always carry around a gig book which he would never let Miles touch.  It seemed like it was his most precious possession rather than Miles.  After losing everything to the Hurricane, Pops begins to realize how important Miles is.  In the harsh environment, where people were turning on each other, Pops had to do everything he could to take care of Miles and ensure his safety.  This lead to Pops showing more affection and they began to act more like how a father and son should.

 

Pops eventually tells Miles he loves him and everything began to change.  Pops and Miles started working together to make sure they were both ok.  They would play music together and share in Pops' interest rather than it only being Pops who played. One important sign that showed how much he loved Miles was when he sacrificed his trumpet for to save Miles.  Pops and Miles got into a fight with some guys over a very valuable piano that Pops wanted returned to a famous jazz club.  When the fight broke out, Pops had to defend Miles by using his trumpet as a weapon.  The trumpet broke but Miles was OK.  It showed that he cared for his son more and loved him. Unlike in the beginning where neither of them would show such affection towards each other.

This made me think about humanity because people aren't spending enough time with their children. Although there are cases in court where the father or mother is not allowed to see the child, they still should be able to talk to them. This shows that those sometimes the laws with custody are unfair to kids and their parents. Kids should be able to learn and know their father. Also, a lot of parents are too focused on work.  Both my mom and dad work a lot but also make sure that we eat dinner together and try to make it to all my sports and share in my interests.  Some kids are not as lucky.  Some kids are raised by nannies and only see their parents on the weekends and when their parents are not working.  I think it is important for parents to work but they also need to find time for their kids.  This is why it relates to humanity.

In conclusion, I think Pops has grown a lot throughout the story and has grown into more of a father figure. In the beginning they were more room mates or friends than father and son. Although it does not relate to me it relates to humanity, it's unfair laws and some children. Everyone can learn from this story and try to be a better parent.