Character Essay

Hook: Does your family have to be related by blood? Introduction: Everyone has a

family, no matter if they are blood related or not. Background information on your topic: This

book is called when the elephants dance by Tess Holthe and it talks about how the Philippines

were trying to win back their country with the Americans. Thesis: Family obligation is always a

motivation for everyone in a book or in life because the characters sacrifice themselves for

family and the characters are developed with their family obligations.

Topic Sentence 1: The characters in the book are motivated by family obligations

because the characters in the book were given duties to help the family and the quote talks about

family obligation. Evidence: The responsibility of the scavenger which falls to Alejandro,

Alejandro comments “As eldest son, I have been given the duty of the food trader for the

day….We are all very thin like skeletons.”(Holthe) Reasoning: This shows that Alejandro feels

obligated to his family because he is the oldest and as it shows in the quote he doesn’t fight

against this job proving that he accepted the job and he is obligated to find food for his family.

Evidence: The family sees Alejandro return and is sicken, the men disgusted at themselves, when

Domingo voiced “’The obligation of caring for your father…all must share in the obligation of

feeding this family. For this is what we are now. A family.’”(Holthe) Reasoning: This shows that

the cellar family is obligated to each other because in the quote it states words like obligated and

family. The quote also supports that a family doesn’t necessarily have to be related by blood.

Concluding sentence: The character in this book is bound by their family obligation.
 Topic Sentence 2: Articles talks about how people are also motivated by family

obligation because . Evidence: “For most people, family obligations are a built in part of life.

Family obligations may include milestones, holidays or events where a family member is

honored. Other family obligations may involve going places or doing things with family

members even when those things are not enjoyable. Being part of a family most often brings joy

to a person's life, and accepting obligations from time to time is a small price to pay for the

benefits of family love and support.”(Pancare) Reasoning: This shows that people outside the

book are motivated by family obligations also because in the quote it talks about how we can

accept a little obligation in exchange for love and support proving that everyone is motivated by

family obligations. Evidence: Several general themes emerge from this research, including the

children's strong sense of obligation, the contribution of that sense of obligation to their overall

well-being, and obligation as a source of academic motivation as well as an important

consideration in life decisions.”(Fuligni) Reasoning: This shows that many people show their

obligation in different ones because in the article states that some kids feel obligated to earn good

grades in school to please their family obligations. Concluding sentence: Many people feel

obligated to their family.

Topic Sentence 3: The characters interacting with family because . Evidence: Roman

decides to surrender himself to evil and Grandpa defends Mang, “’Not my concern? Surely you

are mistaken. Are these boys not of my very blood? You have gone mad if you think I would let

you harm a hair on their head.’”(Holthe) Reasoning: This shows that Grandpa cares for his

grandchildren because he reacted so defensively and Grandpa tries to protect them, hinting at

family obligation, Grandpa talks about how he is related to the kids and he says this is his

concerns and this hints at a family obligation. Evidence: Mang Pedro tried to provide for his
family by, “My father and I were very talented at finding such caves, but I tried my best to keep

him from this; he was growing too old for such climbing. I worked as many jobs as I could to

help my family put rice on the table for my sister and me…’” (Holthe) Reasoning: This implies

that Pedro had an obligation that he set up for himself to provide for his family because in the

quote he talks about how he doesn’t want his father to work and he helps to provide for his

family proving that he feels obligated to his family. Concluding sentence: The characters interact

with their family based on their obligations

Conclusion: Everyone is motivated by family obligation Restate thesis: A motivation for

everyone is family obligation because the characters interacting in their family based on their

obligation and because how some people trade family obligation for love and support. The

characters in the book interact with their family that hint at family obligation. New thought: I

learned that some groups feel more obligated to their family then other families. Finish: “’ I must

try and save them they are innocents. They are what we fight for.’”(Holthe)
Works Cited

"Family Obligation Among Children in Immigrant Families." ​Migrationpolicy.org​. N.p., 02 Mar. 2017.

Web. 19 Apr. 2017.

Holthe, Tess Uriza. ​When the Elephants Dance: A Novel​. New York: Penguin, 2003. Print

Writer, Leaf Group. "What Are Family Obligations?" ​Our Everyday Life​. Our Everyday Life, 06 Nov.

2013. Web. 29 Mar. 2017.