Chapter #7 ; Judges
JUDGES 🌿
Hi everyone, and welcome back to my blog for Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson. Just a reminder! 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 7: Judges.
This chapter really made me reflect on how much Jeanette has grown since the beginning of the novel 🌟. She is no longer just reacting to her mother’s rules and expectations. She is beginning to take ownership of her own feelings, her faith, and the choices she makes in life. It was both inspiring and heartbreaking to see her navigate this stage of growing up. There are moments when she is so brave and determined, but then there are also moments where the weight of her upbringing and isolation makes her hesitate or doubt herself. That mix of courage and vulnerability made her feel very real to me 💛.
I felt for her in the scenes where she struggles to balance her love, her curiosity, and her faith 😔. It reminded me of times in my own life when I wanted to please those I loved but also had to stay true to myself. Jeanette’s feelings of being torn between two worlds, the one she inherited and the one she is beginning to explore, were really powerful. The tension she feels shows just how difficult it can be to grow up when your heart and your environment don’t always align.
At the same time, there are glimpses of Jeanette’s humor and cleverness that made me smile 😄. Even in tough situations, her playful, witty side comes through, and it reminded me that even in hardship, small joys and personality traits can shine through. These moments make me root for her even more and hope that she continues to find little pockets of happiness and freedom 🌈💭.
Response #2: Key Literary Elements
Winterson continues to use biblical references and allegory to deepen Jeanette’s journey. The chapter title “Judges” reflects the moral decisions, conflicts, and evaluations that Jeanette faces in her own life 📖. It emphasizes that she is learning how to weigh her choices carefully and understand the consequences of her actions, which mirrors the role of judges in the Bible who make decisions about right and wrong.
The imagery of observation and judgment stood out to me 🌗. Jeanette feels like she is constantly being watched, whether by her mother, her peers, or the church. This creates a sense of pressure and isolation but also highlights her courage when she tries to follow her own path. The imagery of light and dark mirrors her inner struggle between obedience and independence.
Winterson also uses symbolism of law and order throughout the chapter. Jeanette is learning that rules are not absolute and can be interpreted differently. She is discovering that she can form her own understanding of morality and faith 🍊✨. The first-person perspective makes this journey feel intimate and immersive. We experience her fears, small victories, and growing confidence firsthand. I also noticed how Winterson uses contrast between strict religious doctrine and Jeanette’s natural curiosity to show how complex growing up can be. The narrative makes it clear that learning to trust oneself is a courageous act, especially when everyone around you expects conformity 💛.
Closing Thoughts
By the end of “Judges,” I felt proud and hopeful for Jeanette 🌸. She is learning that growing up means making difficult choices and recognizing that questioning authority and tradition is part of finding yourself 💫. She is slowly realizing that her own feelings and ideas are important and that she does not have to suppress them to please others 🌈.
I especially loved the moments where she begins to take small steps toward independence. Even tiny acts, like quietly reflecting on her beliefs or testing boundaries, feel monumental in the context of her upbringing 🍊💛. It is a reminder that bravery comes in many forms and that personal growth often happens quietly before it becomes visible to the world.
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