In the short story Blackberries, by Leslie Norris, a young boy not only reflects upon how innocence of everything come to an end. The young boy is portrayed by Norris as a symbol of purity such as the blackberries represent how the transformation of a berry relates to the maturity of the young boy. Norris not only focuses on the symbolism of the berries but as well depicts the different attitude the young boy takes towards his parents.  This focus on the shift of attitude toward the parents serves as the development of the young boys age. The distant relationship between the boy and his mother emphasize the growth of the boy into a more independent man. As the berries mature their purity or taste is not the same; with the same characteristic shown in the boys attitude towards his mother. The close relationship between a mother and son becomes distant as the boy approaches to his maturity and begins to form a closer relationship to the father.  The maturity of the berries not only represent the literal meaning of them being ready to be eaten but as well can be portrayed to represent the change of the boy to a man. As the boy waited for the "man's approval" reflects on the fact that his respect for the male role model is of great interest for the young boy. Though the young boy is depict to change, he has a good relation with both father and mother.