Step By Wicked Step Q9

Which 2 characters in the novel show similar qualities and have a common goal? Discuss with evidence from the text.


                          
                       The novel I have studied is Step By Wicked Step written by Anne Fine. In the novel, five schoolchildren read the journal of Richard Clayton Harwick which detailed his sad story of family life with a stepfather. The five schoolchildren who came from broken homes were prompted to relate their own family life story. Claudia and Pixie are two characters that shown similar qualities and have a common goal.


                        Firstly, Claudia and Pixie both confess to their own rotten behavior in the story. Claudia admits that she dislike Stella in the first place because Claudia would feel disloyal to her mum whenever she has a good time with her father and his new girlfriend. "... I'd be as much to blame as him for all the horrid changes I never wanted". However, in the end, Claudia realises her rudeness and she comes out of her closet by wearing the green pyjamas given by Stella. "These are the pyjamas you bought me. Aren't they beautiful?". 


                        Pixie confesses that she hated Sophie and Henrietta (Hetty) Payne at first. When Hetty moved into Pixie's room, Pixie tried to get rid of her by first telling her ghost stories and later giving her the semi-silent treatment. " ... The story I heard was that the spirit of Henrietta Forbes would only walk again when someone with the same name lays their bed, uninvited, in her place" . At the end of the story, Lucy and Pixie had a huge row but eventually they cleared up their misunderstandings. From then on, everyone got along better.


                       Claudia and Pixie also have a common goal where they try to reconcile and make up to their respective stepmothers. Claudia's hatred towards Stella has been reduces. Claudia does not ignore Stella anymore. Furthermore, Stella now teaches her how to quilt, read maps, change electric bulbs and skate. " Stella's been teaching me how to quilt... ",


                       On the other hand, Pixie and Lucy come to terms with their situation. Lucy agrees and accepts Pixie's suggestion of Hetty moving back to Sophie's room. Moreover, Lucy has also stopped calling Pixie as 'Priscilla'.


                       In retrospect, Claudia and Pixie both show similar qualities and have a common goal.