Roberta Character Analysis Essay

Roberta (Bobbie) being the eldest of the lot is often found to exhibit caring and protective traits in the story. There is an instance in the story where she stays alone with Jim when he lies in the tunnel unconscious (Pg.129) and another where she saves her brother Peter when he is caught by the bargee (Pg. 88). Through these instances, the author is trying to subtly tell us how essential it is in a sibling relationship to safeguard the interests of one another.
In another instance in the story where Bobbie finds out that Jim’s leg is “dreadfully swollen” (Pg.129) she is overcome with fear but she is able to uplift herself and she says to herself “Don’t be a silly little girl” (Pg. 129). Here the author might be suggesting how important it
Further Peter demonstrates a heroic attitude by ordering his sisters to obey his command when he says “stand firm! Wave like mad…” (Pg.68). The author might be trying to portray how as the only boy of the lot, Peter, though younger to Bobbie, sees himself as the head of the family and claims responsibility for being the leader of the group and protecting the girls. It is a clear example of how one should hold one’s nerve when under pressure and how one should have composure and take a rational sense of the
The way in which the different siblings react in such a situation is markedly different from one another. When Phyllis protests from tearing her petticoat Peter, criticizes her by saying “shut up” with a brief sternness (Pg.67). At the same time Bobbie explains in great detail (“…there will be a real live accident, with people KILLED.”) and tries to make her understand the gravitas of the situation. She is persuasive in her communication and finally makes Phyllis relent. Similarly even when Peter criticizes her harshly, Bobbie does not argue with him. Instead she says that boys are “very brave sometimes” (Pg.142).The author is showing how there will be disagreements in any relationship and what is important is how one resolves