Difficult decisions made by characters.

SPM 2009 Literature question

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 anyway 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.