In the novel that I have read, “Step by Wicked
Step” by Anne Fine, there were a few difficult decisions that have been made by
the characters of the story. Out of all the difficult decisions that have been
made, I have decided to write about the decision for Richard to run away of
home as it is unique and special, and of course of I disapprove of his actions
to take flight from hardship and proper education that was given to him from
his step dad, Reverend Coldstone.
One of the reasons why I think I
think it was a bad decision for him to run away from home is because it took a
toll for his mother, Lilith's life. As stated in page 27 of the book, on the
second paragraph, Richard's mom used most of her fortune to look for him, and
that Reverend Coldstone was opposing the idea of using her money in such a
fashion as it was only a waste of money, as quoted in the book, “Lilith! Waste
more money of your dwindling fortune on this folly and I will make you pay for
it twice over!” With no one to turn to and without knowing which side to lean
on, she soon passed away from too much stress gathered from Reverend Coldstone
for being too strict and Richard for being childish and naive. This is one of
the reasons why I think Richard's decision to run away from home is a bad
decision.
Another reason why I think it was a
bad choice for him to run away and not face the challenges ahead of him is
because he also caused the death of his step dad, Reverend Coldstone. As stated
in page 27 of the book, in the letter that Charlotte, Richard's sister, wrote
to Richard, Reverend Coldstone was clinging on to their mother so that he could
obtain the large amount of wealth that their biological father owned. He
persuaded Richard's mother to not spend all the money on Richard so that he
could keep the rest for himself. As it turns out, he wasn't even entitled to
receive the family inheritance and that only Richard can claim the large amount
of cash. After realising that, he got filled with so much wrath and anger, he
passed away, as stated in the book, on page 27, on the first paragraph, “My
mother died of heartbreak, my stepfather of fury when he realised that no trick
of his could keep the house from me.” Therefore, I think that Richard running
away from home is a bad choice.
The last reason why I think that it
was a bad decision for Richard to escape from his mother and stepfather is
because his decision even ended up killing his own beloved sister, Charlotte.
As stated in page 28, first paragraph, “And so, last year, upon my sixteenth
birthday, I married Charles Devere. I do not love him as I know as I know I
should, and he cannot make me happy. But he is prosperous, and he has promised
to keep up the search,” she married Charles Devere so that she could use his
money to look for Richard. Riddle and Flook, his solicitors, also put up
notices in papers inquiring Richard's disappearance and humongous wealth. In
the end, she died after she got a fever from childbirth from such a young age,
as quoted from the book in the second paragraph, “But if I die in fever of
childbirth, as so many do, then Charles will send this letter to our old home,
to tell you why you return to cold, cold silence.” Again, this made me think
that Richard running away from home is a bad idea.
In conclusion, Richard should have
faced his challenges instead of running away with his tail between his legs. He
should confront his step father head on, using any way possible. Either listen
to him and act as he is told, or just beat the living hell out of him. If he
actually concentrated on his studies and thought about his decisions in a more
mature way, his mother wouldn't then have to spend most of her money into
searching for him, and his sister wouldn't have to marry someone for the purpose
of obtaining wealth instead of marrying someone out of pure love.
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