The Stories Julian Tells

A layered story, “Because of Figs” explores the concepts of growth and patience, as well as the consequences of taking shortcuts, through the symbolic lens of a fig tree. The fig tree Julian receives at the beginning of the story is a thoughtful gift that his father intends to grow alongside Julian. It’s a direct physical manifestation of Julian’s growth, but it also becomes a vehicle for exploring deeper life lessons as Julian interacts with the tree.

From the outset, the story foreshadows that it involves some sort of trouble: Julian notes, “Because of figs I got a strange birthday present, and because of that birthday present I had some trouble” (37). This line sets the tone for the moral journey Julian is about to embark on. The act of giving the fig tree—a gift that Ralph chose because Julian loves figs—characterizes Ralph as a thoughtful and nurturing father. This moment of gifting is more than a simple exchange; it reflects Ralph’s intent to impart a long-term lesson about growth and care, traits he hopes to instill in his son.

Julian’s initial excitement about the fig tree reveals his appreciative nature, highlighting his emotional intelligence and strong family ties. The family’s practice of marking growth on the bathroom wall is a subtle yet powerful detail that reinforces the family’s close-knit and wholesome environment. This tradition of measuring height becomes a significant ritual for Julian, as he eagerly checks to see if he has grown every time the fig tree sprouts new leaves.

However, Julian’s impatience leads him to attempt a shortcut: eating the new leaves and believing that this act will help him grow faster. This behavior, driven by a desire to outpace his brother’s growth, touches on the theme of Sibling Relationships. Julian compares himself to Huey: “I was four inches taller than Huey, and my arm muscle was twice as big as his” (41). This comparison indicates that sibling rivalry contributes to his desire to seek quick results rather than trust the natural growth process.

As the story progresses and Ralph becomes vocal about his concern for the tree’s lack of growth, the conversations subtly hint that he suspects something is amiss. Ralph’s decision not to confront Julian directly about the tree’s stunted growth, despite his suspicions, prompts Julian to realize on his own that his eating the leaves stunts the tree’s growth. Thematically, this approach to parenting highlights Ralph’s belief in the importance of learning from one’s mistakes, a form of Parental Role-Modeling that emphasizes the value of personal responsibility and honesty.

Julian’s eventual acknowledgement of his wrongdoing, expressed through his apologies to both God and the fig tree, marks a turning point in his character development. He realizes that his actions—taking shortcuts at the tree’s expense—had negative consequences, both for the tree and for his moral growth. The fig tree’s recovery, evident in the appearance of two new leaves that Julian doesn’t touch, mirrors his growth in understanding and maturity.