"Little Cog-Burt" and "Cotton Candy"

The two short stories Little Cog-Burt and Cotton candy are relatable and different in their own ways. The similarity in the two short stories are the characters. For example the mother in little Cog-Burt was very judgmental, remorse, refused to change and close minded. The mother in Cotton candy has similar characteristic as well, both the mothers felt the need to hold back due to lack of change. The difference is one held back till death and the other was willing to make the change.       

The author’s message in Little Cog-Burt is a story that shows the issue of labor in Dominica. One of the two (The father) couples throws a Christmas party for the children and the mothers misunderstanding of the people/ children can lead to misinterpretation of their living situations. Again, the short story shows how poverty affects everyone and the hard laborers need more in order to support their children. 

The author’s message in Cotton Candy is about change and overcoming difficulties that gets in the way of your dreams. Lola the daughter of the mother, starts off as young girl in the story who wants to find love in Cuba. But due to her mother forcing her ideas upon her, she is unhappy. Even after death her mother still affects her. This stories resembles struggles can hold us back from our dreams but overcoming them can lead us to success.

I believe success is the similarity of the two messages in the short stories. Why? All the characters from alternate sides of the stories go through being hard workers (laborers) and daughters they work hard to reach their success. For example, the little Cog-Burt; the laborers are willing to work hard to support their kids and bring them to success. And for the story cotton candy the daughter still manages to find love through nature and animals. The only difference between the two is the background of the story and location.