The story Upside Down In The Middle Of Nowhere by Julie T. Lamana is about a ten year old girl named Armani Curtis that survives Hurricane Katrina with her family using love and hope. The theme is, the power of hope, family, and love can get you through the toughest storms. First, the theme is shown in the exposition by establishing how close the Curtis family is. The first example is when Armani’s neighbors the Babineaux’s told Armani they should leave but she doesn’t tell Daddy because it was her birthday weekend but Georgie hears about it and instead of ruining Armani’s birthday, e helps Armani and doesn’t tell Daddy.
The author writes, “Yeah,’ Georgie said over the top of his glasses. ‘You don’t wanna show up at your party on Sunday looking like you dressed yourself outta the swamp. ‘ He laughed. Daddy shook his head from side to side, a nice smile shining across his face. I smiled so big I could feel it in my ears” (23). This shows the theme by instead of Georgie telling on Armani he helps her and lets her have her birthday. He is being nice and showing love to her by respecting her and saving her birthday.
Also, during the exposition, another great example of the theme was when Memaw and Armani were sitting on the porch swing. Armani loves it because she loves being with Memaw and she will do anything to be with her. The author says, “Sitting on the porch swing with Memaw was always my favorite time of day. Whether I was doing my homework or finishing my chores, I always did them without dragging my feet if I knew Memaw was waiting for me on the swing” (17).
This quote shows that whatever Armani is doing she will get it done as fast as she can just to spend some time with Memaw. This quote shows the close relationship between her and Memaw and Armani’s family. In both quotes, the theme is shown by Georgie helping Armani and Armani wanting to be with her family. Both quotes show how close the family is. The theme is also shown in the rising action. Next, the theme is shown multiple times in the rising action by showing that the Curtis family will do anything for each other and will always be there for each other.
The first example is when the Curtis family was in the attic and Memaw knew she may not live so she decides to give a very valuable possession because she loves Armani and wants her to have something to remember her by. The quote is, “Memaw patted the locket resting near where my heart sits and said, ‘But Memaw, why are you giving this to me? This is your special locket. ‘ ‘I know what it is child but it’s not mine anymore” (118). This shows the theme by Memaw knew something was going to happen to her so instead of not showing her love for Armani she gives it to her and lets her have something to remember her by.
Another example also stated in the rising action, is when the Curtis family was on the roof and Armani was yelling at Georgie to get Cricket but instead he doesn’t and cricket falls into the polluted ater and then Georgie feels bad so he jumps in and tries to catch Cricket but doesn’t so then Daddy jumps in to save them. The quote is, “She opened her eyes and looked at Daddy. With a sob, she whispered, ‘I love you George. ‘ It was the first time I ever heard her call him by his first name. Daddy’s eyes met mine, just for the tiniest second. He never said a word. And then daddy jumped into the water” (134).
This quote explains how Mama loves Daddy and Daddy will do anything for his family even if it means risking his life for his son. Both quotes show the heme by Memaw cares about Armani and gives her something special that belonged to her and also, Mama loves Daddy and Daddy jumped into the water risking his life for his son and this shows that this family will do anything for each other. This theme is also shown in the climax. Another example of the theme is in the climax when the author shows that nothing can keep this family apart because they love each other too much and nothing can separate their love.
The first example is shown when Mama reunites back with Armani, Sealy, and Khayla at the hospital. The author says, “It as like Christmas and my birthday all at once. I ain’t sure how she held us all at the same time like that, but she did. We could’ve stayed like that-like we was one person instead of four- for the rest of the time, and it would’ve been fine by me” (257). This shows the theme that they love each other so much that they will hug each other forever and they won’t mind, and they will never be separated.
There is also another example of the theme in the climax, and it was right after Sealy introduces Mama to Mr. High Pockets and Armani realized how much that Mama could use some of Miss Priscilla’s mothering. The author says, “A tear for Memaw rolled down my cheek-a wish that she was there sharing in our celebration of finding each other” (259). This quote shows, that even if Memaw isn’t there with Armani, Armani will always have Memaw in her heart and Armani will always be thinking of her and her family. It also shows that the love and heart for this family can never be taken away, they are always together with love. Both quotes show the theme of the Curtis family will always be connected somehow even if they are ot all together.
The theme is also shown in the falling action. In the falling action, the theme is shown by Armani not giving up hope to find the rest of her family. The first example is when Armani really wants to go back to the city but Mama says no. The author states, “But Mama, I can try to find Daddy and Georgie! My heart was about to pop out of my chest” (270). This quote shows the theme by Armani feels bad because she thinks that it was her fault that Daddy and Georgie are gone, but she has hopes that someday they will all find each other again.
She ants to find them because she loves them so much and has so much hope that she will find them again. Another quote that shows hope for Armani finding her family is when, Armani kept begging Mama over and over again and Mama saw how she was so grown up and Mama finally said, “I want you to go with Miss Priscilla tomorrow” (274). This quote shows that Mama lets Armani go and Mama loves Daddy and Georgie and so does Armani so they will do anything to find them. Both quotes show that Mama and Armani love their family and will do anything to keep them together. The theme is also shown in the resolution.