<span>Buddy presents the “relatives” in an unfavorable light and clumps them all together as one massive force of authority. He connects emotionally only to his friend. Buddy, who prefers the company of his friend, doesn’t mind being called a name other than his own, and wants to become a famous dancer one day, seems to be on the fringe of the common sense world of the adults. He does not appear to relate to them and sees their authority as staunch and unjust even though they are fulfilling their roles as caregivers and disciplinarians. Buddy does not show the love for the relatives that he shows for his friend. We sense that Buddy is a sensitive seven-year-old with unique tastes and a gentleness that many seven-year-old boys typically do not express. The military school environment that Buddy is sent to seems to sharply contrast the character we know from the story.</span>
