Purpose
The Family under the Bridge is a children’s novel that seeks to highlight the plight of homelessness and poverty. The story is set in Paris and focuses on a homeless man called Armand, who meets three children, Suzy, Paul, and Everlyne, who are homeless, too (Carlson, 2021). Their adventures together unveil the challenges that homeless individuals and families face daily, such as finding food and shelter, facing discrimination and judgment from others, and finding work without a permanent address.
Natalie chose this subject to create empathy and understanding for those who are homeless or struggling financially, especially for children who may be new to these issues. By centering on the children’s perspective, the author allows young readers to see how children who are homeless have dreams just like any other child but are usually denied basic life needs. The author wrote this story to promote the idea of community and the importance of helping others. The main character, Armand, initially resists taking in the children, but as he gets to know them, he realizes that he can make a difference in their lives. As the story concludes, he becomes a father figure to the children, and they form a close-knit family under the Bridge (Carlson, 2021). Natalie aims to reach readers between the ages of 8 and 12. The book has become a popular choice for educators and parents to use as a tool for teaching children about empathy, poverty, and kindness.
Summary
In The Family under the Bridge, the author generally intends to captivate and educate the audience about poverty, compassion, and empathy. The story achieves this goal by using relatable characters. Armand, the main character, is portrayed as a grumpy old man who initially resents the homeless children but eventually grows to care for them. As much as the family is struggling to make ends meet, they remain fiercely proud and independent (Carlson, 2021). These characters help young readers empathize with the challenges homeless people face and understand that they are not so different from themselves.
Through its depiction of poverty, the story also succeeds in sharing valuable information with its audience. The family in the story lacks food, money, and a place to call home. Armand’s interaction with the family provides the reader with a glimpse of the harsh realities of poverty and the daily struggles that homeless people face. This experience can help young readers develop a sense of compassion and empathy towards people who are less fortunate.
The book also engages its audience using humor and warmth. Armand’s dealings with the family are often humorous, and his stubbornness makes the story more intriguing. Furthermore, the family’s resourcefulness and resilience are inspiring and heartwarming. These elements of the story make it more accessible to younger readers and help them connect with the characters and theme of the book. The Family under the Bridge is popular for its simple yet elegant writing style. The story exhibits an element of coherence in the way the author blends different themes to create a cohesive story. For instance, the story explores themes like poverty, family, kindness, and the importance of human connection (Carlson, 2021). Carlson skillfully connects these themes to create a coherent narrative that is both heartwarming and inspiring.
The author also uses a clear writing style that makes it easy for the intended audience to understand. For example, when introducing the protagonist, Armand, Carlson writes, “Armand was a hobo, a tramp, a vagabond. He lived under the bridges of Paris” (Carlson, 2021, 00:12). Therefore, this statement is vivid and concise, providing readers with a clear understanding of who Armand is and where he lives.
The fluidity of the author’s writing is also among the story’s remarkable features. The story’s transition from one scene to the next is seamless, and the dialogue is natural and engaging. This style is evident in a conversation between Armand and Suzy, where the author writes: “I want a kitten,” Suzy said. ‘I’m sorry,’ Armand said. ‘I have no kittens. But I have something better.’ ‘What?’ ‘A pigeon’” (Carlson, 2021, 11:37). The author’s writing is also very concise, with no waste of words. For instance, when Armand’s situation unfolds, she writes, “Under the Bridge, he had his home. It was a secret place, a quiet place” (Carlson, 2021, 07:43). This description is concise and to the point, offering readers a vivid idea of what Armand’s home is like without unnecessary details.
Relevance
The Family under the Bridge belongs to the realistic fiction genre, as it portrays events and characters that could exist in the real world. The story highlights the resilience of humans and the significance of community and kindness. The author uses Armand to paint a picture of what it is like to be homeless and how difficult it can be to find a place to belong in society (Carlson, 2021). Moreover, the children’s interaction with Armand helps convey a sense of hope and optimism throughout the novel. The book is intended to reach a young audience, particularly children between 8 and 12. Its language and plot are accessible to readers at this level, with short chapters and simple sentence structures that make it easy for the audience to follow. Nevertheless, the book is well crafted and engaging in a way that readers of all ages can appreciate.
Reaction
The family under the Bridge reinforced my belief that everyone deserves a chance to have a better life and that empathy is an invaluable quality. One day, when a classmate asked me to accommodate him in my house until he settled his financial issues, I agreed hesitantly since we were not close friends. However, as days went by, I came to realize that he was a charming, warm, and hardworking person, and we became inseparable friends since then.
References
Carlson, N. S. (2019). The Family under the Bridge [Video]. YouTube. Web.