35 The author gives direct comment to Anson’s character. He describes
Anson as the oldest brother who is the most dutiful child to his parents. The author gives information about Anson’s childhood to build Anson’s personality
Anson always tries to fulfill what his parents expect. He has never against his parents. His parents’ opinion is that the method, which they used to rear the
children, is proved as the good method. Anson has never made his parents disappointed to him. “in fairness to Anson, he had earned his status by fulfilling
his parents’ expectation. He had proved, as had none of the others, that Daniel’s child-rearing theories could bear fruit” 111.
Compared with his siblings, Anson is described as good son who can make his parents proud of him. He has showed to his parents that he can fulfill
their expectation. Moreover, according to his parents, Anson has proved the theories used by his parents give good achievement.
2. Smart
Anson Rafferty is portrayed as a smart student. He is not only intelligent in science but he is also good in physical intelligent. He is a star in the football team
in senior high school. However, he is more emphasizing to his brilliant brain, it is seen when he prefers scholarships, which respects to his excellence mind to the
football. “top of his class in high school, star quarterback, he declined football scholarships. Instead, he accepted those offered only in respect of the excellence
of his mind” 111.
36 The reaction in making decision points that he bends to improve the
knowledge in academic rather than his skill in sport, in this case football. Anson has tried to focus on his education. He was firm to what decision he made. The
way he makes decisions indicate his intelligent and his quality. Anson is good in grasping the knowledge. He has good motivation in
studying, therefore he has never fatigued to get more and more knowledge. The academic world is only piece of cake for Anson, therefore he can earn bachelor’s
degree in two years, a master’s in one, and a Ph.D. at the age of twenty-three. He succeeds in academic field in his young age.
The academic world was a chicken yard and Anson a fox. He did not merely absorb learning but devoured it with the appetite of an insatiable
carnivore. He earned his bachelor’s degree in two years, a master’s in one, and had a Ph.D. at the age of twenty-three. 111
Anson has high IQ, although it is not as high as Megan’s. Megan has the
highest IQ among her siblings. However, Anson is good in exploring his capability and his score is not far from Megan. He has proved that he can reach
his success although he is not the one who has highest IQ in his family. Megan had the highest IQ of the Rafferty children, but Anson had always
scored a close second to her. Holly’s situation remained as dire now as it had been half an hour ago, but Mitch took comfort in the fact that his
brother had joined the fight 139.
Anson’s character is portrayed as a good student. He loves to study. He always gets good achievement in academic world. He has high motivation to
enrich himself with knowledge.
37
3. Kind
