Runner is a book that demonstrates the values of friendship.' Discuss. Perhaps one of the most intriguing aspects of Robert Newton's coming-of-age novel, Runner, pertains to the values of friendship demonstrated throughout the novel. These values are predominantly explored through Charlie Feehan, the fifteen-year-old main protagonist living in the struggle town of Richmond, his best-friend Norman “Nostrils” Health, and his girlfriend Alice Cornwall. One such value of friendship that is demonstrated to be of major importance throughout the novel is loyalty, and how important it truly is to a friendship. Furthermore, the novel also demonstrates how vital support is as a value of friendship, and how it can both amend and create them. On top …show more content…
This significant value is demonstrated through Charlie and Nostrils’ encounter with Johnny Barlow - a rival Fitzroy bully - and his gang. During this encounter, Charlie and Nostrils are playing football at Barkley Gardens, when they are suddenly confronted by Barlow and his gang. Nostrils sees the group before Charlie, but instead of running off, demonstrates the true meaning of loyalty, “he waited.” Nostrils was, therefore, willing to put himself in a greater risk of getting caught and brutally injured by Barlow and his gang, in order to stay by Charlie’s side. This is a clear depiction of the great importance of the value of loyalty to a friendship, as this allowed Charlie to realise just how much Nostrils was willing to sacrifice for the friendship, which in turn ultimately strengthened the bond between the two. Furthermore, later in the novel, after winning the Ballarat mile, Charlie reveals that he has used his winnings to buy a timber yard. However, as opposed to just keeping it to himself, Charlie demonstrates the true quality of being loyal, choosing to make Nostrils an equal partner, and rename the yard, “The Heath and Feehan Timber company.” This is a significantly important demonstration of loyalty, as although Charlie used his own hard-earned money to buy it, Charlie chose to name it after both Nostrils and himself, even putting Nostrils’ last name - Heath - before his own. Charlie does this to, “make up fer,” all the self-sacrifices that Nostrils has made for him, and in turn demonstrates the value of loyalty himself. This significantly helps to amend the friendship between Charlie and Nostrils, and helps to unburden Charlie from the great feeling of guilt caused from abandoning Nostrils at an incident in Fitzroy Gardens that left him in a critical condition. In fact, this demonstration of loyalty is depicted to be of such value to the
Charlie was a supportive friend and was always there to backing his mates. Sadly, Charlie was there when Norman was almost killed by Jimmy Barlow. Nevertheless, Charlie did not stop Jimmy and his gang from “teaching Norman a lesson”. Charlie did however, take Norman to hospital. 2 weeks after when Charlie won the Ballarat Mile, Charlie brought Porter’s wood yard for Norman and him for an apology to for not sticking up for him when he was getting bashed up by Jimmy as a consequence Charlie was still guilty, he decided to help both of their families they brought the Porter company, their company was named ‘The Health and Freehan wood yard’. “...I give ya, The Health and Feehan Timber Company!...Seems only fair’,...Nostrils stood completely still, staring at the keys in his hand.” (pg 215).
The novel ‘the outsiders’ is making the same point about friendship as the film ‘rebel without a cause’ as they both convey the idea that during this time, friendship was very important to all teenagers as they are more independent and spend more time away from their families, and aren’t as close.
While many obstacles get in the way of friendship, true friendship still lives, even in silence. In the book, The Chosen , By Chaim Potok, two boys, Reuven Malter and Danny Saunders, who are very religiously different and both raised in completely opposite ways, develops a deep friendship. Their friendship opens up their worldview to many other different viewpoints in life. The friendship between these two boys is one with great religious significance, starting off with destiny and Gods will. As Danny and Reuven’s Friendship develops, it teaches them to respond wisely to the values of the more complex and secular world. It also teaches the true value of friendship. Because Danny’s father, Reb
Friendship is another major theme in the novel, John Marsden uses this theme to overlap with other issues like survival and war. The characters of the novel all depend on those around them for help and support in everything they do. Friendship provides people with strength, hope and love, and all these things help a person overcome tragedies, death, and moments when it seems life isn’t worth living. An example from the novel would be when Corrie’s house is blown up, she is devastated and it is only with the support of the others that she can continue. A real life issue about friendship/love and survival would be the incident with the Beaconsfield miners. The miners were sure they would die, but with the thought in there heads of family and friends outside waiting for there arrival, they continued on battling for there lives, relying only on the support of loved ones. When Lee was shot in the leg by soldiers, Robyn carried Lee over her shoulder until it was safe enough to treat the wound. Robyn overcame her fear of blood and cuts, to save Lee from infection and disease. John Marsden uses techniques like first person
In both Lord of the Flies by William Golding and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck evident components of friendship are persuaded throughout the storyline, particularly in Lennie and George’s friendship in Of Mice and Men and Ralph and Piggy’s friendship in Lord of the Flies. In both books the authors focus on the natural dependence human beings have on each other. Of particular importance is the bond the characters share being outsiders, the dependence they have on one another, the respect they share, the theme of survival, the sacrifice that comes with love and the contrast in their personalities.
The friends of the narrator, however, do not hide in the imaginary world of childhood and are maturing into adolescents. Sally, “ screamed if she got her stockings muddy,” felt they were too old to “ the games” (paragraph 9). Sally stayed by the curb and talked to the boys (paragraph 10).
Extended response question: When he met Squizzy Taylor, Charlie was excited about working with him and saw him as more than just a boss. In the end, Squizzy reveals his true colours and Charlie has the sense to walk away. Discuss.
For all of the ups and downs of Henry Lee’s life he makes his life good with his love and friendship. Jamie Ford wants to get the reader's attention on friendship by writing Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. Henry’s life was a wild, crazy, and hectic he was shunned out by his family just because he was being a good friend. Friendship is something that people can not live without. Just like Henry did a lot of things just so his friend can be happy, he showed that his friendship meant a lot to him knowing there was consequences.
Friendship opens our minds to different views and perspectives and change our perceptions. It has the power to change people’s views on life in a positive way. True friends will do anything to keep their friendship alive, no matter the barriers. Potok proves through the friendship of Danny and Reuven that friendship can be achieved no matter the barriers. He proves that friendship is a key value to life through his motif
The impact of childhood events determines one’s character in the course of one’s life. This is particularly true in the life of the principal characters of Robertson Davies’ Fifth Business, where one incident, the throwing of a snowball, decides the future of Boy, Dunstan, and Paul. Whether or not a person can move beyond his past has a profound effect on individuals as they age. In the novel, psychological well-being during childhood development is one of the central themes that shapes the characters. Boy Staunton, who is born into the richest family in the town of Deptford, grows from an irresponsible and spoiled boy to an ambitious and arrogant tycoon. His character epitomizes the way many rich people behave when they are unwilling to accept
Jetty Rats, by Phillip Gwynne, is a novel that explores the qualities of friendship. The text positions the reader to believe that friendship is a very important aspect in everyday lives and that it will be very helpful, but there will also be a lot of complex situations along the way. Friendships can grow between people of different genders, but love will become a factor. Secondly, friendships may grow between people who have close similarities but also differences. Thirdly, friendships can grow between different age groups who may or may not have the same interests. Jetty Rats is a novel that celebrates the gift of friendship- including all of the complex situations that they go though in order to maintain a healthy
The value of friendship is shown between Hartley, Mitsy and Jamie is evident in today’s society. The jealousy felt by Hartley in the novel, provides an understanding of how envy can become a powerful emotion that can control people to do things that aren’t in their nature or can instead influence them to be more aggressive if it is already in their
As Thomas Aquinas states, “There is nothing on this earth more prized than true friendship.” Friends cheer each other up when they are sad and support them when they are happy. In John Steinbeck’s novella Of Mice and Men, two migrant workers, George and Lennie, arrive as newcomers on the ranch. Throughout the story, different problems are thrown their way, and their friendship is tested with each one. George shows how true friendship requires sacrifice because friends sacrifice personal freedom, they protect each other, and they sacrifice emotional energy.
Friendship is a key theme throughout Herrick's novel “By the River” highlighting the events in where Harry Hobdy is faced with tragedies, in which he needs support from his friends for. When Harry experiences these events, he signifies that support can help build
The fictional novel, Hard Times by Charles Dickens, concentrates on the Gradgrind family; of Mr. Thomas Gradgrind, his daughter Louisa, and son Thomas Jr. A major theme of friendship is portrayed in the books through the character of Mr. Gradgrind as he struggles with the idea of friendship between other characters. According to the Nicomachean Ethics, by Aristotle, it explains a detailed account of friendship and what it is to be a friend to others. In comparing the character Mr. Gradgrind in Hard Times, to the 5 basis of friendship written in the Nicomachean Ethics, Mr. Gradgrind cannot be a friend to others because he does not use emotion but rather factual evidence in his actions toward his children. The novel confirms Aristotle’s view of friendship with Mr. Gradgrind, proving that the standards need to be set up in order to have a proper friendship and relationship with others.