#1

Daniel Cuevas-

I've seen the Santa Anas uproot trees. I've seen them strip roofing from houses and shatter windows. (Brown, 1)

The Santa Anas die down as I approach Los Angeles and I ease up on the wheel. I take a deep breath. But I know its only temporary, this calm. I know better than to let myself relax. (Brown, 3)

The author goes on about the Santa Anas for a while now. James Brown starts off his book,  by mentioning the Santa Anas, a very forceful set of winds that affect southern California and do a disservice towards fire season. Moreover, the Santa Ana winds may be symbolic for the author. For example, the Santa Ana winds may be like his life. Maybe later on in the book will get a better understanding of his life and experiences and confirm this. I predict that his life will be like the Santa Ana winds, he may bring harm towards his family as the Santa Ana winds do towards the "roofing of houses." In addition, the Santa Ana winds may be a memory that brings him discomfort because only when the Santa Ana winds die down, does he ease up on the wheel and relax. Furthermore, the author also states that his relaxation is "temporary." This may also foreshadow that at times he is calm, but that his life problems may torment him and affect him in a negative way. Basically, the author is trying to make connection to his life and uses the Santa Ana winds as metaphor for his life.