32 The quotation above shows that his physical appearance and interests are different
from most Panhandle kids. Kai has different conditions compared to others. It makes him feel inferior and helpless. The status of being different itself is the
cause of all troubles that he experiences in dealing with his new life in Panhandle.
e. Weepy and Coward
Based on Webster’s Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary, weepy is
defined as “tending to weep; tearful; lachrymose”. Kai is described as a weepy child. This characteristic is derived from his reaction when he gets bullied. For
several times, he cries because of being bullied by his friends. Instead of hitting back his friends who hit him, he tends to cry. He has been hit by two people when
going to school. The first blow lands on his heart and the second has absently glanced off his arm.
I yelled as something incredibly hurtful hit my chest and I went backward on the step, hitting the back of my head. Shocked and feeling pain, I began
to cry p. 63.
Kai does not have bravery to protect himself from the beating. Even when trying to communicate with other kids in the school, he is hit by his friends again.
This uncontrollable actions or utterances bellow happen when Kai experiences fear condition.
Something else hit me and now, convinced that death was calling. I wailed with all my might. I was calling to Janie, Megan, and Jennifer. I was so
panicked that I forgot that none of them was home p. 63.
In relation to a weepy person, Kai can also be seen as a coward person. It is shown by his reaction when he argues about fighting with Toussaint, the only kid
who does not trap Kai during the beating. Toussaint becomes friendly to Kai even
33 he has hit Kai once. On another day Kai meets Toussaint, he tries to explain Yuing
Chi, the responsibility of future to him. Even if Toussaint becomes his friend, Kai does not have any bravery to stand against the kids who are considered as
fighters. Therefore, it can be said that he is coward. Based on Webster’s
Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary, coward is defined as “lacking courage;
very fearful or timid”. I was so anxious to explain that fighting was wrong, would cause later pin,
but winning this inarticulate debate was as difficult as prevailing in its subject matter p.107.
2. Kai Ting’s Characteristics Possessed after learning In Y.M.C.A
After learning in Y.M.C.A, he possesses some characteristics. His characteristics can help him survive to the new culture. The characteristics are
described as follows.
a. Adaptable
Based on Webster’s Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary, adaptable is
defined as “able to adjust oneself readily to different conditions”. Kai is
considered as an adaptable child. What he believes in his culture, he carries it on himself. No one can force him to approve that fighting is a part of his life. For
several times, he says that fighting is unacceptable. It means that he still does not value the meaning of fighting. As a consequence, he is sent to Y.M.C.A by his
father and Edna, a place where he can learn boxing. His father and Edna send Kai to Y.M.C.A because they think that the Y.M.C.A will teach him to fight and
protect himself. After learning how to fight the other fighters or kids, he thinks
