Lit 3 - Compare 2 Characters

Based on the novel Step by Wicked Step by Anne Fine, there are two characters that show some distinct differences and similarities. The characters are Richard and Colin. Both of them come from broken homes and families and have gone through many ups and downs. 

One of the similarities between Richard and Colin is their love for their father. Both miss their fathers dearly and wish for nothing more in the world than to be able to reunite with them. Richard was just a young boy when his father passed away. Colin, on the other hand, moved away with his mother when his father was away. While Richard has lost his father forever, Colin was still searching for his. He is determined to find his dad by saving up. ‘One day, I’m going to have enough to go back and find him.’ 

Both Richard and Colin were ignored by their mothers. Love and attention were scarce in their lives and as a result, they didn’t feel wanted. Lilith, Richard’s mother, did not defend him when Reverend Coldstone, Richard’s stepfather, treated him badly. Colin’s mother however is oblivious to the fact that Colin misses his dad because she is too busy working at the canteen and doing household chores. It is evident that both of them did not feel their mother’s love as any child should.

Last but not least, both of them wanted to run away as they thought it would be able to make things work. Richard ran away from home with the hope that he would make life more pleasant for everyone in his family. Colin on the other hand plans to run away to find his step-father as he really misses him. In the end, Richard realized that running away does not solve any problems but only make things worst while Colin still plans on saving money to search for his step-father. 'I'm saving up now....enough to go and find him.' page 61.

     In conclusion, the two characters suffered much pain and sorrow when they could not be with their father anymore. Not only that, they had to go through it on their own as no one cares about them and about how they felt. There was nobody to advise them on what to do. We should be aware that running away does not solve any problems. In fact, it may affect the people around us. Therefore, we need to think wisely before making a serious decision in life.

Lit 2 - How A Character Has Changed Due To Certain Events That Have Taken Place In His/Her Life

Based on the novel Step by Wicked Step by Anne Fine, I think the character Colin has changed the most throughout the story due to certain events that have taken place in his life.

Colin does not know his real father. His mother gets attached to another man, Jack, who becomes stepfather to Colin. Colin has a close and affectionate relationship with him and calls him ‘dad’. His stepfather is someone with whom he can share anything about. One day, his mother decides to leave his stepfather and secretly moves away to another place taking Colin with her.

Colin changed into a very unhappy and lonely boy. He had to join a new school when his mother moved out of their home with him. He has to go through unpleasant experiences. Getting ignored was a common thing for him as the students at his new school had their own set of friends. His mother is always busy with her job at the canteen and with her household chores and had no time to listen to Colin’s problems.

Besides that, Colin changed into a dreamy boy which causes him to have less focus in class. As a result, he did badly in school. This is because he misses his step-father very much and every night he would take the tobacco tin out of the toe of his boot and put it under his pillow. He would even hum their favourite song, ‘The Bluebird of Happiness’ and stay awake for hours pretending to talk to his dad. ‘…I’d hum our favourite song.’ Page 56. Every time the ice skating ring plays their song he would be there listening.

Lastly, Colin became resourceful when he was separated from his step-father. He would keep track on how long since he last saw him which was 5 years, 8 months and 7 days. Not only that, he secretly writes his step-father’s name and his old address on the forms at school. ‘…sneak his name and our old address on the forms…’ page 60. In order to be able to search for his step-father one day, he tries to save money by doing 3 paper rounds a week.

At first, Colin responded negatively to the changes in his life by becoming dreamy and moody but he decides to do something worthy by going after what he wants. His love and longing for his dad motivated him to become optimistic, resourceful and patient in his mission to search for his dad.

Lit 1 - One has to struggle to improve one's life

Based on the novel ‘Step By Wicked Step’ ,by Anne Fine, it is very true indeed that one has to struggle to improve one’s life.

Richard’s story clearly exhibits the struggle of a young boy who has lost his father, whom he loved so much, in exchange for a stepfather, whom he despised. When his father passed away, his mother, Lilith remarries and his stepfather is Reverend Coldstone. Richard never got along with Mr Coldstone and neither did Mr Coldstone get along with Richard. “I’ll be no son of his! Not ever!” When Richard is found to be uncontrollable, he is whisked away to Mordanger School, where he suffers in silence. “I have learned nothing except how to freeze, how to starve, how to be bullied, and beaten.” So, he decides to leave home, thinking that that is the way to improve his lifestyle, thinking that that is the best solution for everyone, but it only brought tremendous anguish to his family.

Claudia finds that she has to tread carefully after her parents’ divorce. She tries not to hurt her mother by sounding less keen to be with her father. “I’d try not to sound too keen, so as not to upset mom.” She initially resents her father when he has a girlfriend. As a result of her father’s new relationship, Claudia feels treated as second-best and unimportant. “It made me sort of second-best, and not important.” Her relationship with her father’s girlfriend, Stella, is also unpleasant until she realises that Stella should not be blamed for what happens between her parents. Claudia decides to openly acknowledge and appreciate Stella in front of her father’s friends, an act which earns Stella’s gratitude and her friendship. This clearly shows that Claudia had initial setbacks with Stella, and decides to improve on their relationship, resulting in a better relationship with Stella and her father.

Pixie, whose parents are divorced, thinks her father is more concerned with his new family and does not side with her anymore. She tolerates her stepmother, Lucy, whom she thinks she can ignore but does not like her stepsisters, Sophie and Hetty, who drive her up the wall. “I can’t stand Hetty Payne.” Pixie is unable to consider them as her family, and she voices this out in her confrontation with Lucy over Hetty. After a heated argument, both of them soon realise that Pixie’s father is irresponsible and does not help in any way to improve relationships. They decide to let bygones be bygones and allow their relationship some time to grow. In the other end, Pixie and her stepmother understood each other better. Pixie also managed to make a better bond with Hetty and improve her Maths skills.

The struggle between a stepchild and a stepfather is also seen in the case of Robbo’s sister, Callie. Unlike Robbo, Callie hates their stepfather, Roy and insists that she will never get used to him. “I don’t think he’s too bad, but Callie really hates him.” As a result, Callie made life difficult for everyone. Robbo realises that in order to keep their family intact and happy, they must have a different strategy and even have ‘fresh teams’. “I want to start over again. New season. Fresh game. Fresh teams.” He encourages his mother to let Callie go and live with their father as Callie wishes, and for he and his mother to start afresh with Roy and his half-brother, Dumpa. He had to struggle a lot so that his sister could finally improve her life. And with her at their father’s place, there were less fights, resulting in everybody’s life improving.

In conclusion, it can be seen clearly that to improve your life, one has to overcome many problems. On the other hand, one should think wisely before acting or it could ruin other people’s life, as seen in Richard’s story. The other characters meanwhile not only improved their lives but their families lives as well in many aspects. Therefore, by pushing through life and making the right decisions, everyone will learn their lesson and benefit from it.

The Final Planet (2/2)

   "Lieutenant! Are our preparations ready?"

"Yes sir. The Mogs are expected to arrive any minute now."

"Good. I believe we can-"

Just then the sound of drums were heard from the difference. Looks like they have arrived.

"All guns ready!" I could count about 100 ships only. Much less than expected. Just a few more kilometers until they are in range.

5 more kilometers. 4. 3. 2. 1.

"Fire at will!" 

All the Ouwei soldiers shot at the same time, releasing a barrage of lasers towards the enemy ships. One by one the ships crashed to the ground. I smiled. Things were going according to plan. Soon we would release the beast. And when that happens, they won't stand a chance. 

Despite the number of ships being destroyed they were still advancing at a quick rate. they were already 7 kilometers away from us. 

"Release the oil!"

Suddenly oil started pouring down from the sky, covering the enemies ships. What they didn't know was that we had placed a few of our own ships high up in the sky where they could not be seen. As soon as the Mogs were below them, oil which had been placed on the ships would be dropped on them and then set alight, destroying all of it. And it worked exactly as planned.

Slowly, the lighted ships started to explode, killing every living being in them. The ships next to them were also destroyed as they were too close and got hit by shards of the remains of the ships.

With the few ships that they had left, it was near impossible for them to beat us. But to reduce casualties, it was best to release the beast.

“Release it.”

“Yes sir.”

The front gates opened, revealing a one of a kind beast, Nogard. Standing at 20 metres tall, teeth sharper than daggers, wings spread wide, it gave an almighty roar. The roar was enough to send chills down anyone’s back, including mine. Fortunately it was on our side and only existed on Ouwei or else it would be the end of us. That was guaranteed.

The Nogard flew towards the Mog ships, ripping gears apart as it flew. The Mog ships were not retreating for some unknown reason but still charging at us without even firing a single shot. Something was wrong. I could just feel it. Anybody in their right mind would retreat when confronted with such destruction. It was as though… No way…  It cannot be…

“STOP ALL FIRE!!!!!”

But by now the Ouwei soldiers were too excited in destroying their ships and had become ignorant to the things around them. This is not good. We were exhausting our supply of ammo at an incredibly fast rate. And to think-

“Sir! There seems to be another wave of ships coming. There aren’t many ships but they have a few unidentified creatures with them. I’ve never seen anything like them.”

I took the binoculars from him and adjusted it towards the new wave. What I feared was probably happening. The first wave of ships was probably empty. The real war was just about to begin. But those creatures… Just as Lieutenant Bur said, I had never seen them before. They didn’t look very terrifying. Only about the 2 metres in height, they looked like gargoyles.

Just then, the Nogard caught sight of the creatures and charged at them at full speed. Those creatures didn’t even look scared. All they did was…. nothing. The Nogard just went and swallowed one of them whole. Well, they didn’t look to worrying. And then, the Nogard gave a roar. Not a strong, powerful roar like before, but one of pain. Next thing I knew, there was a hole in the Nogard’s stomach and a very bloody gargoyle-like thing was crawling out of it.

Mt heart stopped beating. Now I know what those creatures were…  They were ancient machines of war. But… they were in fairy tales. On the other hand, in every story, there is always some truth in it. And this was the truth. These creatures were experts in destroying anything in their path. Their skin were more than 5 times harder than diamond, their claws could easily cut through titanium and their bite was as poisonous as… as… as I have no idea. Legend says that 1 of these beasts could easily kill 20 000 men. To put things in a nutshell, they were indestructible. And they explained why the Mogs were unstoppable.