How can someone benefit from having a friend that has different abilities and talents than themselves? In the book Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick, Max the narrator shares his story of his adventures with Kevin and how they became Freak the Mighty. Before Kevin, Max never actually had a true friend, they came together and combined abilities to become one. Both helped each other with each others disabilities. Max helped Kevin physically, in return Kevin helps Max with his learning disabilities. This is shown when Kevin teaches Max about the King Arthur legends, including the Fair Guinevere, and Arthur's sword, Excalibur. The message that Philbrick wanted to get out into the world was that people can learn from and be friends with others …show more content…
Max learns tons of facts, how to read, write, and lots of other academic based stuff. In return, Max gives Kevin a way to explore the world on top of Max’s shoulders. It is in this way of “...walking high above the world”(40), that they go on adventures all over town. Max helped Kevin achieve his dream of being mobile and able-bodied by providing a way to explore the world on his shoulders. Kevin helped Max catch up to his appropriate grade by teaching Max how to read and then write. Philbrick starts the book with “I never had a brain until freak came along and let me borrow his for a while…” (1). This shows just how important Kevin helping Max was in the story. Max practiced reading and writing enough to move out of the L.D. (Learning Disabled) group, to be with Kevin, making the friendship even tighter. All of this goes to show how important, contributing to a relationship is in Freak the Mighty. I think that Philbrick’s message to the world, through his book, was that people can learn from and be friends with others who are different than them. This is shown in Freak the Mighty when Max Sizemore 3 and Kevin become friends, even though they are almost complete opposites. They learn from each other through their relationship, especially Max, who learned how to read and write through Kevin’s deep knowledge of books. Connecting and creating bonds with other people are important tools to
Friendship describes the mutual pledge to help reveal the innermost workings of a person, bringing out the hidden attributes and validity of one’s characteristics. Subsequently, the bonds and struggles of friendship are a central cause for unveiling identity as the relationship one makes contributes to long-lasting change. The acceptance of a person’s differences conveys an importance for the development of strong bonds. Moreover, hardships accompanying relationships establish times to reflect on oneself and lead to positive outcomes for growth. Furthermore, the memorable journeys embed an area in one’s mind that will change the way self-perspective is seen. Through the characters of Lewis in If I Ever Get Out Of Here by Eric Gansworth and
In the beginning Max had low self-esteem because people would bully him. They would sing him a song that made him feel bad. Max was scared because he saw his dad killed his mother. Max matured because everything that happened, from his dad kidnaping him to Freak dying. Max learned that he did not need Freak to be smart. Max change because Freak helped him to realize that he did not need Freak to be smart. Freak helped Max because max was shallow but Freak help him step out of the shade. Freak help max to be comfortable with himself.
In today's society there are lots of people that believe that dumb people can not accomplish anything in there whole life. From the book Freak the Mighty this point is proven wrong. Max and Kevin, are the two most important characters in Freak the Mighty, they can both be described as dynamic characters. Each of them goes through major changes that are revealed through their actions, and by what the author says about them. Maxwell embodies the archetype of the hero's journey. I will discuss this issue using the fact that he has a birth, a calling/journey, and a return.
Jamie develops friendships that lead him to the development of trusting and sympathetic qualities that have
Throughout the novel, Freak the Mighty, author Rodman Philbrick brings the two main characters, Max and Kevin nicknamed “Freak”, together through friendship between two completely different people. The two friends friendship made both Kevin and Max stronger in their own ways; whether it be Max and his self confidence or Kevin with his size. The friendship they had changed both the main characters and others around them for the better in the end. Friendship also taught them how to treat one another whether it be in the case of Max and his dad, Killer Kane, or Freak the Mighty and Loretta, a side character in the novel. Max and Kevin’s friendship made both of them stronger and taught them and everyone around new and important lessons.
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
This all changed when his best friend Kevin, a very intelligent, short, boy with Morquio syndrome, came around and turned Max’s life upside-down. Its funny to think that basically all Kevin, or Freak, had to do is remind Max that he is not what everyone thinks he is. The reader will also discover that after reading this book they will be able to accept other people who seem different than them.
Friendships can be positive or negative. A good friend is supportive, kind and trustworthy. However, a negative friendship can cause a bad influence and habits. Finny and Gene have many qualities that combine to create a terrible friendship. They are not supportive of each others decisions and are very envious of the others abilities. Throughout the novel, Gene’s friendship with Finny becomes unhealthy and detrimental.
After reading Freak the Mighty and participating in this lesson, I have learned a myriad of thoughts/ideas pertaining to friendship. These thoughts and ideas are much more different than they were before. For example, before, I used to think that a friend is someone who liked the same things as me and never disagreed with me. But now, I know that a friend is someone who will be honest with me, who will be there for me all of the time through thick and thin, and who will enjoy my company. This is far from what I accepted as the truth of friendship, and I owe it all to this course to expose me to the true meaning of friendship
In Rodman Philbrick curious novel, Freak The Mighty two misfits learn to cope with each other. Philbrick’s use of tone and mood, displays the development of the boys character and relationship. Max and Kevin feel nerve wracked, when they are on their way to the firework show. Tony, a mischievous kid, maliciously intimidates a worried Max. Kevin confidently intimidates Tony by outwitting him. This shows that Kevin defends Max, showing him he cares. This is important because it demonstrates how Max now trust Kevin. Philbrick expresses this connection with a strong tone of fear and confidence. Later, Tony fiercely attacks Kevin and Max again. A shelfish Tony says, “Slice and Dice.” This makes Kevin fuel up with confidence. This shows that Kevin
The first and most important lesson for a grade school or middle school student to understand and appreciate is kindness. Kindness is a major theme in this book. Most of the characters give serious thought about how their actions will affect others. In this book it shows how much kindness matters. To quote the text people
One example of when Freak and Max work together was when they were at the festival. Freak was unable to go to the fireworks, but with Max’s protection he was able to go. Not only was Max his protection, Freak was able to see the fireworks when Max lifted him on his shoulders. When they were down by the fireworks, “There are so many people crowded around, all he can see are feet
The novel, Freak the Mighty, and the movie, The Mighty, have many things in common, but also have several differences. The first similarity is that in both the text and movie, Max first puts Freak on his shoulders at the fireworks. He does this because Freak complains that he can’t see anything, so Max picks him up without thinking and places his on his shoulders. As a result, Max carries Freak around on his shoulders everywhere.
Max and Kevin being in all of the same classes is beneficial for both of them. It is beneficial for Kevin because Max can help him with finding his way around the school. Kevin is new to the school, chapter two talks about the fair Gwen and Kevin moving in. “And the reason she looked familiar is, I must have seen her bring Freak to day care,…” (pg. 7) she, is the fair Gwen. Max says this quote when he sees Kevin and Gwen moving in. since Kevin is new to the neighborhood he is new to the school. Because he is new, he might not know his way around the school, and with Max in the same classes Max can help Kevin around the school and help him go where he needs to be. Ever since Kevin moved in max has shown signs of intelligence. On page 84, when
At school, Charlie finds a friend and mentor in his English teacher, Bill. He also overcomes his chronic shyness and approaches a classmate, Patrick, and his stepsister Sam, become two of Charlie's BFFs. Charlie’s new found friends – Sam, Patrick, Mary Elizabeth and Bob - aren't exactly popular and are outcasts themselves. They are all seniors and often hang out at the Big Boy except Bob who doesn't go to school.