Freak The Mighty By Rodman Philbrick: Character Analysis

You would be walking in the shadows surrounded by negativity, darkness, and emptiness but then a special friend lifts you up in spirit and drags you into the light. Someone who changes your life just by being a part of it. Someone who convinces you that there really is an unlocked door just waiting for you to open it. No matter what situation you’re in, they are always with you, even if you don’t see them. In the story, Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick, Freak and Max’s friendship starts out cold, but the two boys gradually discover that they both work well together and need each other’s strengths in order to grow. Freak and Max both have an anomalous body and way of life, although together they can do so much. Together, these two are unstoppable;

after all, it is Freak's sharp-witted brain on Max's large body. The boys go on a bunch of adventures and quests together, for example one involves returning a woman's stolen purse. This dynamic duo forms into "Freak the Mighty," nine feet tall, slaying dragons and fools while walking high above the world over the course of time.
Freak and Max’s friendship changed over the course of the story because they had no one else, they were both different, and they went from being strangers to best friends, more & more throughout the story.

On the other hand, the start of Max & Freak’s friendship started out cold. The first time the duo actually spoke to each other was the summer before 8th grade on July 1st, but they've known each other’s existence since daycare. Freak moved into the house alongside Max’s home. When Max went outside to see who was moving in, Freak catches the sight of Max and "shot" his heart with his crutch and threatens Max, “‘Identify yourself, earthling!’… ‘I said identify yourself, earthling, or suffer the consequences’” (8) Before Max can say a word Kevin pulls the trigger on his crutch and makes a weapon noise, he then says, ‘“Then, die, earthling, die.’’’ (9) Max dashes away without saying a word thinking how much the “crippled-up yellow haired midget, wants him to die. As aforementioned their friendship started out cold when Max but

later…

Max and Freak’s friendship started to grow on the 4th of July.It's the Fourth of July, and Max and Freak get to go to the fireworks without any adult supervision. Gram is worried people are going to step on Freak because he's so little, but it turns out the real trouble comes from the "beer swillers or more known as as Tony D and his gang. Tony D, who everyone calls Blade, stops Max and Freak on their way to the fireworks. The best way to deal with this guy is to avoid him in the first place. He starts asking if they have any fireworks, but Freak just keeps walking.. ‘“Come [...], Maxwell,” he says over his shoulder “Ignore the cretin.”’
Tony steps in front of Freak and asks him what he called him. Freak just looks right up into his face and says, "Cretin. C-R-E-T-I-N. Defined as one who suffers from a mental deficiency" (30 & 31) Max couldn’t help burst into laughter because he just couldn’t help himself. Blade eyes Max up and down, as if he's deciding whether to fight him or simply kill him. Thankfully, Max hears a siren, and a cop car pulls up. Blade takes off running. Freak asks Max if he thinks he could have taken him, and Max answers with a big fat no. You don't just fight Blade; you have to fight his gang, too. Freak starts laughing so hard he falls down. Max picks him up and can't believe how light he is. Later, when they're watching the fireworks and Freak can't see, Max picks him up and puts him on his shoulders. Freak is happy to be able to see and he names each of the chemicals and elements that create the colors in the fireworks.This was Max and Freak’s first “adventure” together during their friendship beginning with a serving of danger with a side dish of fun.
Overall Max and Freak’s (or Kevin’s) friendship was uncongenial in the beginning but forthcoming came a friendship that could light up all the darkness in the world.

While Max had problems with his past and his body, Freak had problems with his body and his future. Max was there to lend his big body for Freak’s big brain. They went on quests together like in the story of King Arthur (which was “behind” their whole friendship). It might’ve started out negatively but over time it became the glowing star in the whole galaxy. Max was standing alone in the down under (phrase from book as “Max’s room). He was silently staring at the floor in the dark. He felt cold and lonely. He hears something terrifying screaming his name. But then suddenly a little munchkin comes out of the darkness and pulls Max into a bright and glorious world. Max only saw a bright sunny day in July. The sky was painted a bright blue topped with white cotton candy floating in the blue. The shiny green grass glistened and grew in the shining sun. The birds tweeted in their nest calling for their mother in joy. Max had never seen this world before. Freak was the one who opened the door. But it was also Max who made the door to the endless possibilities of their futures. Max was also the one who opened Freak’s door which was born into his life. Over time the greatest friendship ever known to humanity came along. Freak’s huge brain took on Max’s huge body. The miracle friendship of Freak the Mighty was born,

those two standing high above the beautiful mysterious world.