Shipbreaker Essay

What makes a family a family? Most believe it’s your mother, father, and siblings but there is so much more to family than that because family isn’t always determined by blood. Family is defined by so much more and this is shown in Ship Breaker through Nailers relationships.

You don't always love the people in your family because you can’t chose the family you have. In Shipbreaker Richard Lopez was abusive to Nailer physically, mentally, and he neglected him. Throughout the story Nailer shows his hate towards his father but there is still something else to their relationship. At one point Nailer says “ People said family was important. Pearly said it. Pima’s mom said it. Everyone said it. And Richard Lopez, whatever else he was, was the only family I have left.”(pg.77) , this statement makes it pretty clear that Nailer is aware of not only the bad relationship but that Richard is still family because even though they're related they don't show any love for each other …show more content…
This is the next main idea of Ship Breaker and it is mostly shown through the relationship between Nailer, Sadna, and Pima because Pima and Sadna aren't related to Nailer but they treat each other as if they’re real family. Sadna and Pima are always looking out for Nailer. For example, when Nailer became ill Sadna treated him and took care of him. Also they all look out for each other. There was a point in the story when Nailer was in a fight with Blue eyes and Nailer wasn’t winning. Sadna soon came in and helped Nailer to fight back. This shows that Sadna is willing to risk her life to save him. At another point in the story Nailer says, “ ...swarming with workers.But he wasn’t one of them. And not Pima.And not Sadna, either. He wasn’t able to save everybody, but he could at least save his family”(pg. 321) True family won’t leave the other members behind and Nailer showed this throughout the entire