Victor’s Risk for Love
By Amy X., 7th Grade
Have you ever taken a big risk to impress someone? In the short story, “Seventh Grade,’’ which was written by Gary Soto, Victor, a seventh grader, pretends to speak a language that he does not know just to impress a girl. Both sides agree that Victor has no idea how to speak French. Some people think that Victor should have pretended to speak French, while others argue that he should not have pretended to speak French. Victor should have pretended to speak French for three reasons: Mr. Bueller’s compassion, Victor’s only chance, and his great plan. [P2]
The first reason Victor should have pretended to speak French is that Mr. Bueller is compassionate. [P1] Since Mr Bueller is a compassionate, empathetic, and mature man, he surely would not call out Victor for his antics. Mr. Bueller has been in a similar situation. When he was in his college years, Mr. Bueller attempted to impress a girl by pretending that he was wealthy. He would rent cars every single time he drove his girlfriend. That did not go well. The teacher ended up running out of money. Obviously, Victor and his teacher went through similar situations, so Mr. Bueller has a great amount of empathy for the boy. Because of Mr. Bueller’s compassion, Victor should have taken the bold move.
The second reason Victor should have pretended to speak French is that this might be his only chance to get Teresa’s attention. Victor had a crush on Teresa for more than one year, but in that time he probably did not speak to her at all. Victor picked French especially to be with Teresa. Why put so much effort into her but not commit fully? Victor even promised himself that Teresa was going to be his girl this year. Besides, one of his friends, whose name is Michael, is doing something much more absurd than pretending to speak a language that you do not know. He is scowling continuously. Michael is bold with his peculiar actions, while Victor is shy with his interactions with Teresa. [P3]
The third reason Victor should have pretended to speak French is that he had formulated a great plan. The other students in class did not know French because no one raised their hands when Mr. Bueller asked if anyone knew French. The whole class was as oblivious to Victor pretending to speak French as a moth is to a flame. While faking the language, Victor sounded authentic so no one noticed. Undeniably, Victor could pull this off.
Some believe that Victor should not have pretended to speak French. After all, he might risk exposure. In addition, students in his class might know French, and Victor might not have sounded authentic enough. But there is no evidence to support these claims. Victor would not be exposed because no one knows French. Why take a language you already know? Also, the story claims that Victor sounded authentic. Victor had formulated a great plan, and he ultimately would achieve his goal.
In addition, some claim that taking a risk for Teresa is just not worth it. They argue that Victor’s crush is not as deep and that there are other ways to impress a girl, that may have more positive consequences and less negative ones. But these claims do not apply to Victor. The boy has liked Teresa for more than a year. Victor’s adoration for Teresa will not fade like wispy clouds on a windy day. [S] Because French is their only class together, Victor feels he has no other way to impress Teresa.
Thus, neither possibility of exposure nor the belief that Teresa is not worth it is not enough to deter Victor from faking the language.
Victor should have pretended to speak French because of Mr. Bueller’s compassion, his only chance, and his great plan. Victor’s story encourages risk-takes by suggesting that the outcome may be better than expected.