essed by Luke between two of the workers that takes place in the cotton field that eventually results in the two workers running away from their families and beginning a life away from the world of farm work. There is also a very detailed description of a bloody confrontation between two workers that result in another death. These sideline stories briefly distract the readers interest away from the field activities of cotton picking. However, the author quickly draws the reader back to the task at hand: getting as much cotton picked in attempts to make as much money as possible to get them through another year. Mr. Grisham always draws the readers attention back to the hard work required to succeed in spite of these interruptions. The sideline stories are important to keep the readers interest. However, the importance of these mini-dramas within the book has more to do with the reaction of our characters to the incidents than the actual incidents themselves. Luke is always caught in the middle of these incidents as a witness. He ponders what he should do with his newly gained information in the best interest of all concerned. Being a very mature seven-year-old child, he carefully considers his options of informing others of his secrets, and normally opts to keep his mouth shut. In doing so, the task of cotton picking is not interrupted and his familys financial future is less threatened. In the same vein, the reader should recognize these incidents as metaphors for choices in life. Luke did not choose for these things to happen, but he did have a choice on his reactions to them. Luke kept his goal of crop harvesting as his main priority. He couldnt change the past, but he certainly could affect his future by making the right decisions.The book is simple in nature. However, as mentioned before, the true meaning behind the book is timeless and universal. It reminds the reader that life is difficult and seeing the results f...
