Chapter #1 ; Genesis! 🧡

Welcome to the Unpeeling Orange Blog! 🌿

Hi everyone, and welcome to my blog for Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson. This space is where I’ll be keeping track of my thoughts, reactions, and literary observations as I read through the novel.

Let’s dive in with Chapter 1: Genesis.

Response #1: My Personal Reactions

The opening chapter of Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit immediately pulled me into Jeanette’s unusual childhood. What stuck to me most was how much of her life was shaped by her mother’s firm belief that Jeanette had been chosen by God for missionary work. From the very start, Jeanette is given a role to fulfill rather than being allowed to discover one for herself. ☹️

              ❗; This made me feel both sympathy for her and curiosity about how she will navigate that pressure as the story unfolds! 🤔💭

I also found myself reacting to the strange combination of seriousness and humor in Winterson’s writing. Some parts made me smile because of how exaggerated Jeanette’s mother was in her devotion and the way she views the world. At the same time, I felt uneasy at the way Jeanette’s individuality seemed overshadowed by heavy religious expectations. The idea of being told your whole purpose before you can even decide who you are really stood out to me. 😮

This chapter also made me reflect on how families often shape children’s identities in powerful ways. Even though I sometimes felt frustrated with the mother’s control, I could also see that her beliefs gave Jeanette a strong sense of belonging and importance. It left me questioning whether that sense of destiny is comforting or limiting, maybe even both at once. Overall, the chapter set a strong foundation, and I’m eager to see how Jeanette balances faith, identity, and independence!

Response #2: Key Literary Element

One of the most significant literary elements, in my opinion, in Chapter 1 is Winterson’s use of biblical structure and tone! ⛪ The title “Genesis” mirrors the first book of the Bible, signaling the theme of beginnings and creation. Just as Genesis in the Bible describes the creation of the world, this chapter lays the groundwork for Jeanette’s life, beliefs, and the influences that shape her childhood. ✝️

Winterson’s prose often mimics the rhythm of scripture. For example, she writes: “Like most people she lived for a long time with the vague conviction that every day was the last day of the world.” This statement has the weight of a religious passage, but it also shows her mother’s very bold worldview. The biblical tone elevates Jeanette’s childhood experiences into something that feels almost mythic, blending the sacred with the personal. 😧

Point of view also plays a role here. The story is narrated by an older Jeanette looking back, so readers experience both the child’s perspective and the adult’s reflection. When Jeanette’s mother prepares her for missionary work, the child’s acceptance of it is clear, but the adult narrator adds irony, allowing us to see the humor in how extreme her mother’s expectations were.

This mix of biblical structure and retrospective narration is significant because it shows how Winterson frames her life story as part allegory and part autobiography. The chapter’s structure reminds us that Jeanette’s struggle is not just personal but also tied to larger questions about destiny, authority, and belief. ⁉️

Closing Thoughts

Reading Genesis felt like peeling back the first layer of Jeanette’s life (another reference to oranges hehe 🍊), and I can already sense how complicated her journey will be. What really stays with me is how much pressure she faced from the very beginning, but also how she found moments of humor and strength even within that. I can’t help but think about how different it would feel to grow up in such a closed world, where your purpose is chosen for you. Part of me relates to the idea of family shaping so much of who we are, but another part of me knows how I'd react if I were in her place. Starting this book feels like stepping into both a strange and familiar world, and I’m curious to see how Jeanette will grow, resist, and maybe even redefine what her “Genesis” really means.

Anyways... that’s all for my first entry! Writing this out helped me sort through my reactions, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the next chapter unfolds. Thanks for reading along with me. For now, I’m signing off to eat some Cookies & Creme ice cream. See you next time with Chapter 2!