Micah and Henri from Deborah Ellis’ book, A company of Fools, are a classic example of how a character’s personality can be influenced by their upbringing and background. Micah was raised in the streets and therefore has developed a wild, self-sufficient manner unlike Henri who has only ever known the sheltered but strict life of the Abbey and is very introverted and well mannered. However as the story progresses similar traits between the two boys are uncovered and they both start to lose features of their personality that at first made them seem so different from one another. This shows that the two boys who at first appear to be polar opposites are actually remarkably similar, and only differenced in background which provides opportunity …show more content…
for both boys to learn and change their personality. Although Micah and Henri led very different early lives, they both felt out of place and alone.
Because Henri’s structured and safe childhood in the abbey was so distant from Micah’s tough, working life on the streets this caused an initial difference between the two boys that made them seem like unlikely companions. When Henri was first introduced to Micah “covered in grime and stink, hands defiantly on his hips singing about a drunken bishop” he could not believe this boy was to be staying at the abbey. These feelings continued when Brother Bart told Henri that Micah was to be his choir partner “my displeasure must have shown on my face” he recalled. The same thoughts were quickly reciprocated by Micah not sure whether he would be able to adjust to the abbey life as it was so different from his own. However without the difference in the boys’ background they would not have had a chance to learn from each other and may not have become so close, meaning the adventures they embark on in during their time together in Ellis’ novel wouldn’t have …show more content…
happened. Whilst Micah and Henri give very different first impressions when they are forced to get to know each other, they realize that they can learn from one another and they may have made a rash judgment. When Micah comes to the abbey he creates a stir between the boys and monks especially for young Henri. He is rude, disruptive, boastful and distracting unlike the quiet, introverted, studious and sensible Henri. However as Henri settles Micah down and gets to know him he realizes that he is actually very fun and entertaining, Micah is also taught about the importance of studies, respect and the Christian beliefs from Henri. In this way both boys teach each other about things that they would otherwise be oblivious to. This significantly changed their personality and by the end of the story both personalities had almost morphed in to one, Micah had become caring, thoughtful of others and respected that he was not the best boy in the abbey and Henri was a bit mischievous and was able to let loose and have fun. Without the boys different personalities they would not have influenced each other in the same ways and we would not have seen the development of character that we do in A Company of Fools by Deborah Ellis. Henri and Micah are very similar characters and helped each other help others.
Before Micah came to the abbey Henri was miserable, and whilst Micah’s arrival first felt like a curse but it soon became apparent that Henri needed him to show him there is more to life than just books and gospels. They were soon making mischief and Henri was loving every minute of it. Henri is also able to teach Micah about studies and when to be sensible. As this happens a noticeable change goes over the abbey, with the two boys keeping everyone somewhat distracted from the pestilence, everyone seems to be happier. Such antics as the amulet selling or switching out a cooked pig for a live one, things that would not have been possible had the boys become such close companions show that Micah’s wild antics coupled with Henri’s sensible but the smart nature helps everyone in the abbey. In Ellis’ novel Micah and Henry use each other’s strengths to make life better for everyone in the
abbey. Micah and Henri from Deborah Ellis’ novel A Company of Fools show that characters that at first seem very different may actually be quite similar. When Henri and Micah first met each other they seemed like stark opposites, Henri was a quiet choir boy and Micah was a mischievous street rat however these initial differences did not hinder their growing friendship that benefited both boys, everybody in the abbey and only thrived in the face of extreme adversity. Although Micah seems very different from Henri when they first meet they are actually very similar and the differences they pose provide an opportunity for both boys to learn, grow and change.
Two people could be living two very different lifestyles, yet they could be very similar in the way they act and react in the same situation. Charlotte from “The Metaphor” by Budge Wilson and the Mother character from “Borders” by Thomas King live very different lives but the way they deal with the problems they are faced with is very similar. Both protagonists have to deal with trying to be forced to be something they are not by society and their families, but Charlotte from “The Metaphor” has been challenged by her strenuous home, she must face her organized mother and orderly home; the Mother from “Borders” must stand up for what she believes in and fight for what she wants.
Knowles deliberately juxtaposes Gene’s social awkwardness to Finny’s natural athleticism and charisma to suggest an imbalance of power between the two boys. Set in Devon School, described as “very athletic” (Knowles 13), Finny, “an extraordinary athlete…the best athlete in the school,” (16) establishes himself to be popular, tilting the balance of power. Stating there is no one “in this school – in this world – whom [he] could trust” (53), Knowles introduces Gene as a distrustful individual. Gene’s hesitant nature lets the animated Finny take charge of their relationship. To create power imbalance, the author purposefully creates Gene and Finny with wildly different personalities.
...s inner self. What is seen as a relationship amongst these two young men is now torn apart by the transformation of Henry caused from his witnesses during warfare.
Two people with two completely different characteristics have something alike. Both Dally and Johnny are mentally tough because of their parents. Johnny and Dally’s parents both do not care for them and could care less about them. For example, during Dally’s childhood he went to jail, been in a gang, and has been in many fights and his dad still would not care for him even if he won the lottery. Dally also talks about his dad's disgrace towards him in the car with Johnny and Ponyboy, “‘ Shoot, my dad don’t give a hang whether I’m in jail or dead in a car wreck or drunk in a gutter...’”(88). Dally could easily live without his dad and he does for the most part. Dally just hangs around with his friends and stays at their place. Similarly, Johnny's parents use him like a rag doll to blow off steam, “his father always beating him up”(14). The gang knows what happenes in Johnny’s house. Once Ponyboy was witnessing, “Johnny take a whipping with a two-by-four from his old man”(33). Ponyboy talks about how loud and mean Johnny's mom is and,“you can...
Firstly, one’s identity is largely influenced by the dynamics of one’s relationship with their father throughout their childhood. These dynamics are often established through the various experiences that one shares with a father while growing up. In The Glass Castle and The Kite Runner, Jeannette and Amir have very different relationships with their fathers as children. However the experiences they share with these men undou...
In order to understand what changes happen to twist the views of the 2 main characters in both novels, it is important to see the outlook of the two at the beginning of the novels in comparison ...
...development of your identity. Gregor, the family man, tried as hard as he can to be there for his family. His family is everything he has got and this is his identity. While Sonny, the trouble kid turned musician, abandoned his family’s suggestions and went his own way by keeping true to himself and being dedicative to a specific goal. Both of these characters are polar opposites in a sense that one follows his family and the other does not. But, both characters were forced into difficult situations and both have experienced some sort of sacrifice.
Throughout a lifetime, one can run through many different personalities that transform constantly due to experience and growing maturity, whether he or she becomes the quiet, brooding type, or tries out being the wild, party maniac. Richard Yates examines acting and role-playing—recurring themes throughout the ages—in his fictional novel Revolutionary Road. Frank and April Wheeler, a young couple living miserably in suburbia, experience relationship difficulties as their desire to escape grows. Despite their search for something different, the couple’s lack of communication causes their planned move to Europe to fall through. Frank and April Wheeler play roles not only in their individual searches for identity, but also in their search for a healthy couple identity; however, the more the Wheelers hide behind their desired roles, the more they lose sense of their true selves as individuals and as a pair.
In “The Pupil” by Henry James, we are able to travel with Pemberton as he searches for answers to his thoughts. Through fluctuations of tone and the interesting point of view from Pemberton, James allows readers to experience his hesitation and unravel his relationships with Mrs. Moreen and Morgan Moreen. The comprehensiveness of this passage helps portray Mrs. Moreen’s physical qualities as well as Morgan’s social well-being as readers learn how the smallest connection can forever impact a life.
Jeannette Walls was born into a poor family who often had to live homeless and without food. The environment in which she grew up in is what gave her the characteristics she possesses. One trait that describes Jeannette is that she is very adventurous. Since she was constantly exposed to new surroundings, she became curious of them. While she was homeless in the desert, she would play a game with her father called Monster Hunting. She grew to not be afraid of anything, since she could fight off these so called “monsters.” Also, Jeannette is very decisive. To get away from Welch, a poor town in West Virginia, she made sure that she would get enough money to move to New York. She did this by getting a job to save up money for a bus ticket and for college. Along with this, Jeannette is very ambitious. She worked very hard to get accepted into college by working for the school newspaper, since she wanted to become a journalist. On the other hand, Melba Patillo was born into a middle class family who lived in Lit...
A personality is a combination of various attributes that belong to a single person. Each one has its own unique qualities and traits that create an individual that is different from any other human being. How this individuality is formed depends on the environment that a person has lived through and their experiences. Alison Bechdel grew up in a home with a father who alienated himself from his family so that he could conceal a dark secret from his life. Nevertheless, Bechdel was able to take from her past so that she could become a strong and independent women who kept true to who she was. Likewise, straying from the expected path of her family, Dorothy Allison was determined to become the person who she wanted to be. Expressing who she is and not changing to match others expectations has become high priority in Allison’s adult life. It was through a journey of hardship in their childhoods, both Allison and Bechdel were able to discover their individual identities in their adult life.
People spend their lives not discovering who they are, but making who they will be. Their relationships and interactions with other people define them and contribute to their personality. The accumulation of every meeting and conversation an individual has leads up to who they have become. This happens in stories as well, interactions between characters show the reader who that character is as a person. This type of characterization can be used by the writer not only to create a personality, but to bring out a theme as well. The stories A Streetcar Named Desire, The Metamorphosis and “Everyday Use” all have distinct personalities that have very strong relationships with other characters; these relationships are able to bring out the themes from their
Our world, and lives, are full of trials and tribulations. Its our choices, actions, or lack thereof when facing these difficulties that influence the direction of our lives. Rene Denfeld explores this wonderfully in her novel The Enchanted. Her characters all face trials, of varying degrees of intensity, that not only shape them but also the direction of their lives. She delves into this process thoroughly through her character of the white-haired boy. He transforms from an optimistic boy, to a hollow victim of abuse and a corrupt penal system, and finally into a man who did what was necessary to survive.
This particular event, in the very beginning of the novel, demonstrates how two people of t...
While roaming the hills around an isolated home, a young boy named Henry, displayed rather unusual characteristics associated with his behaviors. What seemed like a cute and innocent boy was nothing but a face of hidden evil. Henry was a very free-spirited and often wild 12 year old boy who enjoyed engaging in daring activities while experiencing adrenaline rushes. His behaviors and curiosities seemed to be limitless, to the point where it brought forth a bit of suspicion. At this age, these types of behaviors may seem “normal” for a young boy like Henry; behaviors that display some hyperactivity, and self-exploration. However, Henry’s attitude and behaviors took a quick turn as his real intentions and motives became ever so clear. Henry is a young boy who grew up in a rather large home, set on top of a hill, overlooking the ocean in the state of Maine. He comes from two loving parents, a mother and father, and has a younger sister who looks up to him. He also had a younger brother named Richard, who died a while back from “accidently” drowning in the bathtub. Despite the tragic loss, he seemed to have a stable family lifestyle.