Literature- Compare two characters.

Based on the novel, Step by Wicked Step, by Anne Fine, there are two characters that have several differences as well as similarities. I will compare and contrast those two characters, which are Richard and Colin.

   One of the points that I will elaborate on is Richard and Colin's love for their respective dads. They both missed their fathers dearly. However, in Richard's case, he had lost his father forever as his father had already died and moved on to a better place, in the heavens. Colin merely lost contact with his father after he moved away with his mother without leaving any clues for his father to search for them. While Richard had no way to get in touch with his father again, Colin was still searching for his stepfather. Colin saves up all his money in a safe space for the time when he will embark on the search for his stepfather. I keep practically every penny that comes my way. Colin is determined to look for his beloved stepfather when he is old enough. As soon as I'm tall enough, I'm off.  Clearly, Richard and Colin are unable to let go of their love for their dads.

  Secondly, both Richard and Colin were ignored by their mothers. They did not get any attention from their mothers. Richard felt that his mother, Lilith, did not care about him when she married Mr. Coldstone despite his obvious contempt for Mr Coldstone. His mother turned a blind eye when Mr. Coldstone's treated him badly and said everything he does is for your own good. All his mother did was to lower her eyes. As for Colin, his mother was not aware of how much he missed his stepfather, Jack, because she is too busy working at the canteen and doing household chores. I think Mum thinks that I've forgotten him. To conclude, it is apparent that Richard and Colin did not feel their mothers' love.

   Thirdly, Richard and Colin wanted to run away to make things work. They could only think of running away as the best option to solve all their problems. Richard ran away from home with the hope that he could make life more pleasant for everyone. Without me, the three of them would get on well enough. Colin however, was planning to run away to find his stepfather. Both of them have their differences as Richard realized that running away does not solve any problems. This is apparent when he had to face the damage he had done by piling one wrong on another. Colin, on the other hand, was still bent on the idea to search for his stepfather. He even does three paper rounds in an effort to accumulate more money for the search.

   Drawing a conclusion, the two characters suffered much pain and sorrow as no one cares about them nor how they feel. They had no one to advise them that running away does not solve problems, in fact it can affect the people around them. Richard has learnt that lesson, but Colin has yet to encounter that problem. It is clear that we need to think wisely before making a serious decision in life.