Explanation:
1. Gary Soto used imagery to support the theme "people have compassion for others." The boy didn't have enough money for the chocolate so he gave up an orange to help pay for it.
2. Oranges is a poem that focuses on the feelings and thoughts of an adolescent boy about to meet up with a girl. The weather doesn't help his cause but to the rescue so to speak come the oranges, full of warmth and color. They are the symbols of hope and confidence.
3. Love is one of the first and foremost theme of Oranges, written by Gary Soto. In this poem, a young boy walks for the first time with a girl, at the innocent age of twelve. He sacrifices an orange for his lady-love. He does not deny her wish, rather, gives up his nickel and orange to make her happy.
4. They become symbolic of the innocent, young love he has for her. For the speaker, a dime is a lot of money. He clearly has the two oranges for them, but the girl wants chocolate. Since he only has a nickel, he uses the orange.
