Reflection: The Code

In the story, “The Code” by Frankie Lennon, I liked how the narrator had a lot of aunts and how she was respected by “The Code.” The Code was based on living through customs, rules, and values. My family had our own customs, rules, and values that was restricted on me until the day I die. Since, the narrator had an aunt who she disliked, I had an aunt who I loved but disapproved of my actions. I had an aunt who did not mind taking care of me while my mom was at work. However, she tried to do things her way but she was also respected by our family customs, rules, and values. Things changed dramatically when I started attending high school.

I was a sophomore in high school and I was already under the influence in going out and coming home late. My friends were always at my house during the weekdays and these actions made my aunt think that I was a bad girl or someone who was not respecting the customs, rules, and values made upon the household I was living in. At that time, I did not care what was going through her mind because who was she to judge me. One day, I was frustrated because I had heard news coming from my younger brother that she was talking garbage behind my back. I felt that I was disrespected because coming from an aunt in whom I adored and respected were saying things to random people such as our neighbors about my business. I decided to tell my mom about it and she had a talk with my aunt. My aunt denied the whole thing but my mom had believed me because there were similar stories in the past due to this type of situation. I had wanted to confront her about it and I wanted to tell her that I wasn't someone who was sleeping around and not care about my family customs. But since I was brought up by my family’s customs, rules, and values, I was learned to stick with it and keep it in the back of my head. Some customs, rules, and values that I had to abide were to act as a mature young woman at all times, respect my elders, appreciate things from my elders and to not talk back in any circumstance.

In the story, “The Code”, the narrator’s aunt in which she disliked was still living under a bitter end of the code, though she was living a good life. My aunt was strict and she wanted things her way. As of today, my aunt is in the same exact place, but she got other things to worry about besides me living each day as a lesson. I still adore and respect her because of the things she has done for me but by the end of the day, it is about her who I have to worry about.