Comparison between two Characters (Literature)

    Based on the novel, 'Step by Wicked Step', by Anne Fine, can made a comparison between the characters of Richard and Colin. Richard and Colin are two characters who share the same fate of having a dysfunctional family. They both have to learn how to live without their father and remain strong there are two characters that have several differences as well as similarities. 

   Firstly, I would like to talk about Richard and Colin's love for their dads. They both missed their fathers dearly. However, in Richard's case, he had lost his father forever as his father had already died and moved on to a better place, in the heavens. Colin merely lost contact with his father after he moved away with his mother without leaving any clues for his father to search for them. While Richard had no way to get in touch with his father again, Colin was still searching for his stepfather. Colin saves up all his money in a safe space for the time when he will embark on the search for his stepfather. I keep practically every penny that comes my way. Colin is determined to look for his beloved stepfather when he is old enough. As soon as I'm tall enough, I'm off.  Clearly, Richard and Colin are unable to let go of their love for their dads.

 Secondly, both Colin and Richard were ignored by their mothers. They both did not get any attention from their mothers. '... sometimes I (Colin) get the feeling that Mum thinks things that are happening to both of us are only really happening to her. As if how I feel doesn't matter quite so much.' (page 58, line 20-23) We see the contrast by the way their mothers ignores them. In Richard's case, his mother did not defend him when Reverand Coldstone treated him badly. 'All that my mother did was lower her eyes...' (page 20, line 1,2) However, Colin's mother was not aware of how much Colin misses his dad as she was too busy working at the canteen and doing household chores. 'I think Mum thinks I've forgotten him (dad).' (page 60, line 28) Yet similarly, they both did not feet their mother's love.
   Thirdly, Richard and Colin wanted to run away to make things work. They could only think of running away as the best option to solve all their problems. Richard ran away from home with the hope that he could make life more pleasant for everyone. Without me, the three of them would get on well enough. Colin however, was planning to run away to find his stepfather. Both of them have their differences as Richard realized that running away does not solve any problems. This is apparent when he had to face the damage he had done by piling one wrong on another. Colin, on the other hand, was still bent on the idea to search for his stepfather. He even does three paper rounds in an effort to accumulate more money for the search.
   In a nutshell, the two characters had suffered much pain and sorrow. We see how no one really cares about them by asking about their feelings or simply sitting down to listen to them. They both loved their father, were ignored by their mothers and finally decided to run away. From their actions, we can see that running away does not solve any problems, in fact it affects the people around. It is crucial for us to think carefully before making a decision in life, however small it make seem.