Step By

Wicked
Step

The Main
Story
Synopsis
This novel is really five stories within a story that are induced by a story, like a
nesting puzzle. So, we have six stories in the book. There may be a lack of a principal
plot here but it is of no consequence as the novel's main purpose is to serve as a
forum for six various stories of Richard Clayton Harwick, Claudia, Colin, Ralph, Pixie
and Robbo.
In Step by Wicked Step, five boys and girls find themselves in an old house on a
stormy night. In a hidden tower room they discover an old diary, that of Richard
Clayton Harwick, who left behind a journal account of his wicked stepfather. 'Read
and Weep' says the spidery writing on the cover of the book. After Richard Clayton
Harwick's father passes away, he was sent to Mordanger School for four long years.
He wishes to burn Mordanger to 'ashes' as to him, 'there's no meaner place on earth'
than this boarding school. When he returns to Old Harwick Hall, he could not get
along with his wicked and loveless stepfather, Reverend Coldstone. Being robbed of
all his precious tokens from home, Richard makes the decision to leave and become a
cabin boy on a great ship. His decision has caused anguish in his mother and sister,
who have spent a fortune seeking his return. He did not return to see his mother or
sister until he read a square print from Riddle & Flook which requested him to claim
his ownership to Old Harwick Hall. By then, Richard knows that his stepfather,
mother and sister have passed on. Only then, he realises his decision to leave has
changed the lives of his family members.
Harwick's story prompts Claudia, Colin, Ralph, Pixie and Robbo to tell their own
tales of stepfathers, stepmothers, and stepsiblings, who are in turn eccentric,
beloved, unwelcome, and almost always misunderstood. Each vignette (descriptive
passage within a larger work) is a wonderful study of human nature. As the lightning
flashes, the children begin to relate their own tales of step parents, stories that are
full of warmth and humour, yet with a fair share of sadness. At first it seems the
children could have nothing in common. Sports-mad Robbo, quick-witted Ralph,
sensible Claudia, fiery Pixie and dreamy Colin seem as different to each other as it is
possible to be. Yet they soon find they have one thing in common, and that they are
all the products of broken homes and they once have a turbulent relationship with a
'step-' or 'steps-'.

The Plot

Exposition

Five children who seemingly have something in common are inadvertently placed
together in Harwick Hall. They discover an album which contains the story of a boy
of their age. The boy, Richard, makes a mistake of leaving his home which causes
more problems than before he left. He loses his whole family.

Rising Action

Consequently the children narrate their experiences. Each of them have a unique
story but all are from families where the parents are divorced. The problems each
face is however different and in the end some of their problems are solved.

Climax

Everyone except for Colin is able to solve their problem. Colin however plans to run
away just like Richard.

Falling Action

The other children, Ralph, Claudia Robbo and Pixie however believe that running
away is not the solution.

Resolution

Colin needs to fix the problem himself there and then.

Setting
The inside of a minibus.
Old Harwick Hall.

Theme
When a break up in the family is inevitable, you do not fight it, you accept the
inevitable and try to fit in.

Characters (The Main Characters)

Claudia

Claudia is sensible and a very emotional person. Thus when her father and mother
broke up she was affected, as any child would be. The love for both her parents made
it difficult for her to accept anyone coming into the family. She saw them as an
adversary to the family. She refused to accept her stepmother. Eventually her
emotions overwhelmed her and she accepted Stella. That changed her life forever for
the better.

Collins

A sad boy who yearns for his stepfather, (sorry Colin, I mean your dad!). Loves him
so much that to him he is Dad. The sadness is over powering and creates emotional
problems for him. He is unable to confront his mother since he loves his mother too
(who doesnt love their mum!). Clearly the separation causes a deep emotional
problem in Colin. He becomes very quiet and day dreams.

Ralph

The youngest in his family. A jovial person and takes life quite simple. He is so
experienced, in the complicated lifestyle that he has been experiencing form
childhood that he seems to be able to get over any problem quite easily. The
complicated life had made him more responsible, sensible and quick in his actions.

Pixie/Priscilla/Cilla

Pixie is young and immature. She goes to her fathers house on the alternative week.
She finds it difficult living there as she herself is immature and uncompromising. She
wants to be noticed but does not notice the others in the house. She seems to find
fault with others while her faults are brushed away.

Robbo

Robbo seems to be a matured, intelligent, friendly and non-confrontational. He loves

his parents, his sister, his step-brother and his step-dad. He is able to live in any
condition and does not have any problem in the divorce.

Mr. Plumley

Concerned - You settle down. Ill go and see if I can find what the housekeeper has
left us for supper.

Richards
Story
Synopsis
The five children are waiting in an old house for the rest of their school group to
arrive. They come across an old manuscript written by a boy who ran away when his
mother remarried after his fathers death. Richards Story-Master Richards father
had a fever. His mother tried her best to coax his father to eat something- but it was
of no use. Richard asked George the gardener about his father. Richard calls him Mr
Digby. Mr Digby did not answer him but hugged him hard instead.
Lucy the maid sat by Richards bedside. When Richard asked if it was going to be
today, she placed her finger on his lips and said, Hush! Dont even speak of it. Little
Charlotte called out to Richard and told him that Papa wanted to see him. He dashed
as fast as he could. He came across Reverend Coldstone but did not stop although he
was asked to. The reverend was angry. His mother was waiting at the doorway and
reminded him not to cry. His father asked him to be good to his mother and sister.
His last words were Obey your mothers wishes to the letter. At the chapel, Mr.
Coldstone consoled his mother. Richard heard him say -When you are mine.
Richard studied at Mordanger school. He hated it there. Now he was home. Charlotte
realized that Richard hated his stepfather. Richard accuses that Charlotte had
forgotten about their father. Charlotte denied it and advised him not to accuse Mr
Coldstone as the murderer when their father died of fever. Nevertheless, Richard had
decided to leave the three of them.
Richard wrote in his diary that he worked in a ship. Whenever he wrote about Mr
Coldstone, he referred to him as the black bat. Twice his ship stopped at his
hometown and he visited his home only to stand like a trespasser. It had been a long
time since Richard had been home. Suddenly, he saw a note on the Captains table.
He found out that his mother and stepfather had died. Charlotte wrote him a letter.
In the letter, Charlotte wrote that things had been difficult as their mother spent a lot
of money looking for him and they all suffered Mr Coldstones anger. Charlotte

married Charles Devere although she did not love him because he had money and
was willing to spend it to look for Richard. This would be the only letter from her.

The Plot

Exposition

Richards father Mr Harwick, passes away. His mother marries Mr Coldstone, who is
kind to his sister, Charlotte. Richard hates his step-father and believes his step-father
hates him too.

Rising Action

His step-father begins controlling Richard including sending him to school. Richard
looks at the negative aspect of the school and regards the schooling very negatively.
Eventually he decides to run away from the country.

Climax

Broken hearted, his mother dies, after spending a fortune looking for her son. Mr.
Coldstone passes away too. Charlotte who is unable to finance the search for her
brother marries Charles who agrees to finance the search.

Falling Action

Richard returns to Harwick Hall as a rich man. And discovers the heart breaking
situation he had created. Regrets too late.

Resolution

Without his family, Richard feels the emptiness again and decides to leave again.

Setting

Old Harwick Hall

Mordanger School
The port
Foreign ports

Theme
Upon knowing that a situation or circumstance is against you, you should then be
patient and discover how to manage the problem. When you run away from the
problem, it will become bigger and bigger and difficult to handle.

Characters (The Main Characters)

Richard Clayton Harwick

Is a very young boy who erroneously believes that the whole world is against him
after his father died. His immature mind considers every thing done by others which
he does not like as an action against him, a typical childish thought. Richard regrets
for his follies.

Mr. Reverend Coldstone

He comes into the Harwicks life to perhaps help out the family which was clueless
after the death of Mr Harwick. Was he after their money or was he genuinely
concerned, is the unanswered question? However after his death we discover in the
story that it was Richard who inherits the wealth. (Perhaps in the eye of a child,
someone to replace their father is unforgivingly unacceptable.)

Lilith ( Richards Mother )

After her husbands death she seems to lose control of the family, not due to the
dominant Mr Coldstone but perhaps due to illnesses. Richards disappearance
aggravated her mental health further!

Charlotte Harwick ( Richards Little Sister )

She loves her brother dearly. Since he is the only sibling she has it is no wonder she
loves him so much. The fact that she merely married Charles so that he can fund the
search for her brother clearly shows how much she loves him in spite of him for
saking her.

Lucy

A sincere servant to the family..

George Digby

Another servant of the family, a gardener, had a soft spot for Richard.

Characteristics
Richard Clayton Harwick

Characteristics
Childish
Emotional

Supporting information
Is my father dying?
How many nights my pillow would

Sensible

Obedient
Immature

Selfish

Mean

Love
Regret

become flood...cloudless afternoons I

have to water with my private showers..
Show me the child who reaches for the
hand of father or mother and says
farewell and I will show you a storm of
weeping under a face of stone
Yes Father.
Will it be tonight?
Now you would think he really does own
my mother. And everything of hers is his
as well.
It seems that I am his. And so is
Charlotte.
But what of me?(twice)...But why did
my father forget to mention me? Does
my happiness not matter? Do I count for
less? Am I supposed to nod and be a
brave lad for ever, while everything
changes around me and everything I
loved is different?
Now, Mrs Harwick, you cannot see the
holes in the chapel path for tears. Please
take my arm. Ill see you safely home.
...dried her tears, and begged her
pardon.
If Id had my stepfathers globe more
firmly in my mind back then...

Mr. Reverend Coldstone

Characteristics
Mean
Anger
Disciplinarian

Kind

Supporting information
He gripped my arm tighter.
There was a flash of anger...
Are these your best manners?
I shall take time to mend your manners
soon
That boy runs wild. He must in any case
be sent to school.
He has been kind enough to me

Lilith Harwick ( Richards Mother )

Characteristics
Motherly

Supporting information
...brushing the unruly hair back from his
forehead...
spent a fortune seeking you...

Devoted wife
Concerned
Sensible

I will not have your father go troubled to

his grave.
No tears, my dearest. Your poor father
has seen enough of tears.
...everything he does is for your own
good, so you will grow up strong and
manly...

Charlotte Harwick ( Richards Little Sister )

Characteristics
Innocent
Concerned
Compromised
Sensible
Philosophical

Love

Supporting information
Papa has hugged and kissed me and
now he is asking to see you.
Why must you hate him so?
...shes picked her way between the two
of us like...
Why should I treat Mr Coldstone as if he
were a murderer...
Just because life has dealt us one hard
blow, there is no reason for us to be
unhappy for ever.
...you are still dearest to me though you
have been so cruel...
...I married Charles Devere...he has
promised to keep up the search...

Lucy
Characteristics
Worried/
Concerned
Supersitious
Sorrowful

Supporting information
...her thoughts were far from this little
tower room.
Dont even speak of it.
...hurried away, weeping.

George Digby
Characteristics
Concerned

Supporting information
...crushing me to his breast...

Richards Father
Characteristics
Popular
Proud

Supporting information
Everyone loved him
Theres my strong lad...No tears...

Lessons And Moral Values

1. Running away is not the solution.
The courage to stay and fight the battle of life is the sensible thing to do
than to run away from the battle like a coward. We should stay and
confront the problems which come our way, running away from the
problem would not make the problem to go away. In fact the problem
may only grow bigger.
2. Patience and preserverence.
Whatever the problem, we must have the patience to surmount it. What
we may not be able to solve in one go or in one day we may be able to
solve little by little or during a longer period.
3. Problems shared is problems solved.
When a problem comes our way, we may not be able to solve it ourself
but if we were to get a few person to help us we may be able to solve the
problem which we saw as too big for us to solve.
4. If unable to help, at least do not cause more problems.
There are occasions where we are unable to help others but then it is
during this trying times that we should not cause more problems for
them.

Claudias
Story
Synopsis
Claudias Mum and Dad quarreled a lot. One day, her Dad was gone to Grannys
house. However, he dropped by for tea. Claudia overheard the name Stella. Her
Mum and even Granny had a row with Dad. Dad usually met Claudia at Grannys.
She missed her Dad so much. The times spent with her Dad kept flooding back. She
wanted things back the way they used to be. For the first time, Claudia had a separate
Christmas. Later, she was introduced to Stella who was just plain and mousy. Claudia
thought her mum was a whole lot better-looking than Stella. Claudia was rude when
they went for a walk. Once back, they quarreled and the next day, Dad moved out of
Grannys house straight into with Stella. Claudia met her Dad off and on. Stella
stayed out of it. She only made some light conversation with Claudia like asking
about her friends and school. Those moments she would be thinking of her mum

doing the house chores. After talking to her friend, Shreela, Claudia stopped blaming
Stella. Dad and Stella arranged party for their friends. Claudia was sent there for the
day. Politely, she excused herself from the party and stayed in her room. Stella was
relieved.
Out of curiosity, Claudia decided to eavesdrop. She wore the green pajamas given by
Stella as it was the exact shade of green of the giant fern. She sat beside the fern and
listen to everything the adults downstairs were talking. The guests spoke about
everything except about Mum, Dad, Stella or Claudia. Nobody praised Stella for the
food nor even spoke to her. Claudia found that very rude as her Mum was not there.
Claudia, unable to stand the treatment Stella was getting, made a grand appearance
at the party and thanked Stella for the beautiful pajamas she had brought for her.
Finally, everyone started noticing Stella. As for Claudia and Stella, this was the
starting point. Stella would teach Claudia how to quilt, read maps, change electric
plugs and how to skate.

The Plot

Exposition

Claudias mum and dad quarrel nearly everyday.

Rising Action

They split up.

Climax

Her father moves in with Stella.

Falling Action

Nobody wants to accept Stella. Claudia breaks the ice.

Resolution

Claudia accepted the break up and accepted Stella too.

Setting
1. Claudias home where she lived with her mum.
2.Her Grannys house where her father lived whenever he fought withher mum.
3. Stellas home.

Theme
Accept the inevitable, opposing the inevitable only creates tension and unhappiness.

Characters (The Main Characters)

Claudias Dad

Due to bad business, he was having a financial problem. Claudias mum did not want
to understand the problem and was nagging him which resulted in the quarrels. He
left home as he was the party who was not contributing and was the weaker one in
the relationship. His action of befriending with Stella soured the relationship with
Claudias mum. However, he did try his best to keep Claudia in his life and the new
relationship.

Claudias mum

Her expectation was that her husband should contribute to the family welfare,
however bad the situation. The problem was that after venting her frustrations, she is
unable to relent and give in. Pride stopped her from taking him back. She regretted.
When Stella came into her husbands life, her outburst, indicates that she wants him
but pride was stopping her.

Stella

Entering into a relationship with a person who has just come out of a broken
relationship is a nightmare.
Stella found it the hardway. She had to prove herself and with stand the volatile
relationship. She made it.

Grannny

Typical mother to her son. Protects the daughter in law rather than the son as her
love for her son need not be proven.

Shreela

Claudias bestfriends and good friend.

Barney,Mary,George and Linda

wanted to be politically right

Characteristics
Claudia
Characteristics
Naughty
Observant
Emotional
Impulsive
Compromising
Simple minded
Sad

Rude
Hate
Faithful

Kind
Nasty

Sensible

Bold

Claudias dad

Supporting information
It wasnt their fault if he didnt know the
rules.
...only Claudia had noticed...
...blowing her nose on a tissue.
...Openly wiped away her tears.
I made a decision in the time it took to
blink.
...Id try not to sound so keen...
...I just want things back the way they
used to be...
...had a separate Christmas, and it was
horrid...
...Boxing day...I felt terrible...
Goodbye, I said, which was extremely
rude...
And I hated him for it.
Dont call her that
And all the time, I would be thinking of
Mum.
I felt sorry for her.
Fine, Id say coldly,...But I dont get to
see her
so much...now that I have to come here.
...it wasnt helping mum...what had gone
wrong was nothing to do with...
(them)...treating Stella as if she was
invisible was never going to solve it.
I came from behind the fern
(pg46)...Stella...
These are the pyjamas you bought me.
Arent they beautiful?...Theyre
brilliant...Thank you.

Characteristics
Quitter
Unrelenting
Dishonest
Untrustworthy

Supporting information
...he was gone....
...and more arguments...
Either hed fib to ...
If he couldnt be trusted...

Claudias mum
Characteristics
Faithful
Nags

Unrelenting
Angry

Supporting information
Dont talk about Daddy like that,
please!
Im fed up with the way he spends all his
time...
...spent more time there...
...and more arguments...
Mum spat it down the phone...

Stella
Characteristics
Friendly
Nervous
Compromise

Supporting information
...smiling and friendly...
Wish me luck.
...she knew I was faking but she didnt
push it.

Granny
Characteristics
Angry
Philosophical

Supporting information
...have a row with Dad...
I shouldnt fret, everything will come
out in the wash, and I cant even
remember what I was worrying about
last year.

Shreela
Characteristics
Sensible

Supporting information
...were best friends again.

Barney, Mary, George, Linda

Characteristics
Rude

Supporting information
No one was talking to Stella (pg45)
...they talked to Dad, or to the air...no
one spoke about the lovely food...they
wouldnt couldnt make friends with

Stella...they were ignoring her...

Lessons and moral values

Prevention is better than cure
Claudias parents should be more compromising and one of them
should have given in during the quarrels.
Arguments and quarrels are quite normal in any relationship, however
one should quickly decide to give in before matters gets worse.
Patching up is hard to do.
Breaking up seems to be easy, the patching up is the difficult part.
Quarrels and difference in opinion is normal in relationship but
patching up must be fast and decisive. Someone must give in even
though one has to give an artificial victory to the other.
Claudias parents were moving towards a breakup. The classic financial
problem with the small quarrels escalating to a major break up is
foreseeable. They should have patched up sooner before the situation
became permanent.

Colins
Story
Synopsis
Colin describes his stepfather whom he calls dad. He has thought of him as his
biological father all the while. His dad looks like him. His dad has dark hair with
some grey patches around his ears. His dad used to roll his own cigarettes out of
tobacco in a tin. His dad calls him by many nick names- Col, Collie, Sonny- boy,
Buster, Mr Bluebird. Colins mum works in a shop. His dad walks him to school and
back. His dad got him his tea and took him to the park.

At the park, he used to swing as high as the bar, he swings back in such a way that his
dad would call him The Bluebird of Happiness. Then, Colins mum took him and
moved away. It happened when Colins father had gone to spend a day with his sister.
Two friends of his mum came with a van and packed everything. Then they went off.
At first, he thought his dad will join them later. Colin was not happy- school mates
would snigger when he did not understand things. Mum found a job at a canteen.
She would be busy doing household chores when she came home. Mum was too busy
to listen to him. He compared her with his dad- his dad used to talk to him and
remembered names of his friends and teachers. Colin asked his mother many times
about his dad. He wanted to know when his dad will come home.

His mother did give him a hint about his father not having a proper job. He realized
later that his mother did not leave any clues for his dad to follow. He then wrote a
letter to his dad. But there was no reply. Every night, Colin would take the tobacco tin
out of the toe of his boot and put it under his pillow. Then, he would hum his
favourite song, which was also his dads favourite. He would stay awake for hours
talking to his dad. He pretended that his dad was there. Colin said that it was as if his
mother thought that whatever is happening is actually happening only to her.

Then one day when he returned home from school, he realized that his mum had
thrown away his boots. The boots were too small for him but she did not know that
there was a tobacco tin hidden in there. He did not bother to tell her because she
wouldnt have liked it. It has been five years, eight months and seven days and Colin
still remembers hit dad. He secretly writes his dads name and his old address on the
forms at school. Colin also tries to save money- he does three paper rounds. He will
not try to look for his dad now- perhaps someday when he has enough money. Colin
hums slowly and when asked to sing, he says that he is saving the words till he finds
his dad. It was his favourite song; The Bluebird of Happiness. His friend Ralph
consoled him by saying that someday Colin will find his dad.

The Plot

Exposition

Colins mother left his biological father when he was a few weeks old. When Colin
was 8 months old she hitched up with Jack. Colin regarded him as his Dad.

Rising Action

Jack who was not having a proper job took care of him as his mum was too busy with
work. Colin was very close to Jack.

Climax

One day, Colins mum packed and left Jack. The reason being that Jack did not have
a proper job or a proper income.

Falling Action

Colin missed Jack so much that he got into trouble with the teachers. He was
hopeless in school. His mother was not bothered about his happiness. So he was
saving money to look for his Dad and leave his mom one day.

Resolution

Colins story does not have an ending, but there is a foreshadowing...

Its about following the bluebird round the world, but finding happiness where you
began.

Setting
Colins home where he lived with his mom and Jack.
Colins present home.

Theme
Running away from the cause of a problem is never the solution. Nor is running away
to make another understand the pain or as a lesson to the other as it only creates
more problems, especially when it is among family members.

Characters (The Main Characters)

Colin

A sad boy who yearns for his stepfather, (sorry Colin, I mean your dad!). Loves him
so much, that to him, he is Dad. The sadness is over powering and creates
emotional problems for him. He is unable to confront his mother since he loves his
mother too (who doesnt love their mum!). Obviously the separation causes a deep
emotional problem in Colin.

Colins mum

She is emotionally affected too. She has a defense system for problems with men, she
leaves them. Thus when she found Colins Dad inadequate, she left him. However,
to Colin she had to hide certain things which she felt he is too young to handle.

Jack

Kind honest man. Loves Colin like his own son.

Does everything for him. His weakness is he is jobless.

Quality of Characters

 Colin
Characteristics
Observant
Day-dreamer

Interested
Naive
Unhappy
Thoughtful

Intelligent
Understanding
Defensive
Loyal
Creative

Emotional
problems

Love

Supporting information
Look...In the wall. Its a door. Theres a
door hidden in the wall.
...who had been quiet the whole
journey.
...whose habit of drifting through the
hours of each school day as if his
thoughts were hundreds of mile away...
...had come a sharp intake of breathe...
Colins been listening for once...
You only saw his good side.
It wasnt nice for me
His black eyes glittered...
And if I stuck up for him...so I shut up
...staring out into the night as though
pretending that he hadnt heard.
And I knew.
Listen, he said. She didnt mean it...she
thought it was better that way
I never finished with him. It wasnt like
that...
Im sure she didnt mean to tell lies,
You see, the thing about my mum...
I pretended.
And Id pretend that he was there with
me.
...I started getting into trouble at school
from being half asleep...
...this man came around and talked to
Mum...
...I was a bit upset...
I was still hopeless in school.
I still get in trouble with teachers.
I havent got used to it...I took it off the
shelf, and carried it round the shop for
ages.

Colins mum
Characteristics
Hard working
Mean
Cunning

Supporting information
My mum worked in a shop
My mum and I did the flit.
She just waited for the one day a month
when Dad used to go and spend the day
with his sister...

Too busy
Impulsive
Complicated

...found a job in a canteen...always too

busy...
...She didnt mean it...she thought it was
better that way
And one day youll understand its for
the best.

Jack
Characteristics
Friendly
Thoughtful/ nice/
fatherly/
Lovable
Mysterious
Irresponsible
Talented
Love (Colin)
Light hearted

Supporting information
...you can talk to him...
...remembers what you say...heard them
from me in the first place
You didnt know the half of it.
...never having a proper job
He knows the words of practically every
song...
The child who is loved has many
names.
...he used to tease me.

Lesson and Moral Values

1. We should meet problems headlong and not run away from them. How long
can we run away from problems in life?
Colins mum ran away from the first husband, to avoid the problems associated with
him. She ran away from Jack too. Her character is as if she runs away from problems.
The problems for her never reduced in fact it increased. She was too tired with work,
Colin was not taken care of. In fact Colins character had deteriorated. Perhaps if she
had compromised on Jack, he may have handled Colin well, Colin could have become
a better person, she could have persuaded him to work.
Colin on the other hand seems to have acquired the same trait from his mum. He
wants to run away too. He loves his mum too much, and is unable to persuade his
mum to agree to his reasoning. Adults sometimes think that they know everything.
He wants to run away rather than talk to his mum and come to a compromise.
He is not able to foresee that his going away may cause more problems than solve the
present problems. Just like Richard.

Ralphs
Story
.

Synopsis
Ralphs Dad and his mum were divorced. Ralph the youngest had two brothers
George and Edward. His mum married Howard. His Dad married Annabelle to
whom he was crazily in love.
His first stepmother was possessive. She wanted Ralphs Dad for herself. She was a
health enthusiast and wanted the children to adhere to it too. She was also against
mistreatment of animals and an extreme spiritual believer. Her enthusiasm to share
her idealistic believes did not go well with her step-children. She eventually ran away
with a descendent of King Arthur. Janet, was their second stepmother. She was a
strict disciplinarian and was akin to a ruler. She had rules for every aspect of
behaviour or actions. The rules were strictly adhered to. The children hated it, as
their life was managed as per the clock. Liberty was at the lowest. However the adults
loved it because everything was done orderly and perfectly. However, Janet left
because she noticed that Ralphs dad and Mum were taking advantage of her.
Lastly, Ralphs father met Flora, the 3rd stepmother who was as young as Ralph. She
was irresponsible, spendthrift, modern and outgoing. Ralph liked her a lot and got
along well with her. She got pregnant and Ralph has decided to take care of the soon
to be born child.

The Plot

Exposition

Both of Ralphs parents married again after their divorce. Ralphs mum got married
once and Ralph stays over in her home for half the week. However his dad remarries
several times and lives in with his present girlfriend who may become Ralphs
stepmother.

Rising Action

His first stepmother Annabelle was a dominant character, spiritual and regarded
herself always right. She left when she discovered a better person. His second
stepmother was Janet, a ruler. She created rules for everything. She left because
she found out that his father and mum were taking advantage of her. Flora was his
fathers current companion and she was pregnant.

Climax

Ralph likes Flora and they do get along well as she was of his age. In fact he intends
to take care of the baby, his half-sister when she is born.

Falling Action

He wants to take responsibility because he believes that Flora will not be able to take
care of his half sister. He is even reading baby books.

Resolution

He was hoping that his dad will marry Flora. Hopefully she becomes stepmother
three and the final one.

Setting
Ralphs Mums House
Ralphs Dads House

Theme
The adults break-ups although sounds ominous may result in healthy extended
families whereby the children of the broken-marriages find themselves having a
more bigger family which makes the children more tolerant, ability to cope with
complex problems and learn lifes lessons early in life.

Characters (The Main Characters)

Ralph

The youngest in his family. A jovial person and takes life quite simple. He is so
experienced in the complicated lifestyle that he has been experiencing form
childhood that he seems to be able to get over any problems quite easily. The
complicated life had made him more mentally alert, responsible and sensible.

Ralphs Dad

Looking for love in so many places. He is more concerned with his life and quite
selfish. Never has much time for the children and uses his spouse for his selfish
needs.

Ralphs mum

A dominating character, is still able to handle her children with first husbands
children while having a second family.

Annabel

A modern lady, interested in social idealism. A nature lover. Animal lover.

Dominating character. Possessive. Nags.

Janet

The perfectionist. Disciplinarian. Lives by the rules.

Flora

Too young a lady for Ralphs Dad. Dominating character.

Irresponsible.

7. Howard

Sensible.

Quality of Characters
Ralph
Characteristics
Quick-witted

A genius
Cheerful
Confident
Surprised/
Astonished
Irritable
Independent
Responsible

Supporting information
Quick...Pixie and Claudia - upstairs! Try
and look
fast asleep. Robbo and Colin - into bed,
quickly.
Youd have to be a genius to work it
out.
...told them cheerfully
Right, he said. Coming up,
Easy, Ralph said.
For heavens sake!
...she got on their nerves.
...getting myself a cheese sandwich.
All the responsibility will fall on me.

Ralphs Dad
Characteristics
Love

Mean
Angry
Love

Supporting information
He carried on as usual...
Annable muscled in on everything...
...he was in love. Totally, idiotically,
soppily in love.
...taking advantage of her... neither
pulled their weight...
...squawked at me...
...he went spare...
...bewitched look spread over his face,...

 Ralphs mum
Characteristics
Dominant
Appreciative
Satisfied
Mean
Unfair

Supporting information
...if your Dad makes a fuss, tell him from
me...
Its so nice to have a bit of order in our
lives for once,
What a joy,
...taking advantage of her... neither
pulled their weight...
So unfair.
My mums a bit like that,

Annabel
Characteristics
Possessive
Nags
Dominant
Health conscious

spiritual
Animal lover
Fickle
Idiosyncratic

Supporting information
Never left any of us alone with Dad.
She nagged and nagged...
Annable muscled in on everything...
...was always on a diet.
...dispproved coffee...
...drink dandelion tea...
...fussed with yeast, and kneaded...
...believed that everyone had an aura
round their head...
...how cruel we were, poor little Brandy,
hardly room to breathe...
...went mad. Totally unhinged...
...said that Brandy was an evil
beast...sheer spite...
I saw the creature for what it was the
moment he came in the
house...malevolent aura...

Janet
Characteristics
Disciplinarian
/Organised/
Sensible

Supporting information
She was more keen on rules than
anyone Ive ever known. Janet had rules
for about everything...telly...how long...to
bed...to get up...food...to take out of the
fridge...how to chew...what you had to do
with your elbows...how to hold your knife
and fork...etc

 Flora
Characteristics
sexy/ bold/
modern
Spendthrift
Immature
Outgoing
Dominating

Irresponsible
Disorganised

Supporting information
...with hardly any clothes on.
...they went shopping for food...
Im far too young to be his mother...
So off we went
Another time, maybe youll think
twice...without checking about my
plans.
Shes done all sort of terrible things to
me...
Shes completely disorganised.

Edward/George
Characteristics
Irritable
Hate
Responsible/ Love
Appreciate

Supporting information
...She got on their nerves.
...just hated it.
...brushed the crumbs off me,...
...because they had tons of time alone
with Dad...

Lesson and Moral Values

No one likes divorces. No one wants to become stepmothers or stepfathers. No one
wants half-brothers or sisters. Everyone wants an ideal family of: a father, a mother,
brothers and sisters. When parents divorce, which is happening more often in this
modern world, one of the issue is the high number of individuals in the extended
family. For societies which do not experience the joint-family culture, it is a new
experience and difficult to get used to. In joint-family culture the cooperation and
experiences of managing a high number of individuals creates person of
extraordinary calibre. Similarly, divorces create extended families, and the
individuals if guided well would become well rounded individuals.

Pixies Story
Synopsis
When Pixie's parents divorced, Pixie was allowed to spend two weekends a month at
her father's house, which he had bought together with Lucy, her stepmother. Her two
step sisters, Sophie and Hetty Payne, shared a room while Pixie was given a room to
herself, as was agreed by her father. Pixie could not get along well with her
stepsisters and their actions annoyed her. One day, both her stepsisters got involved

in a fight, and this caused Hetty to move into Pixie's room. Pixie was disappointed as
she was not consulted on the matter, and to make the matter worse, her father
ignored her complaints about Hetty moving into her room. Hetty's irritating
behaviour also put Pixie's off. One day, while on a family holiday, Pixie had a fight
with Sophie over who should occupy the top bunk bed , and both of them ended up
crying.

As for Hetty and Pixie just could not stand her even though Hetty was closer to her in
age. Pixie was also jealous of Hetty as she was everyone's darling due to her good
manners and intelligence in mathematics. Pixie divised a plan to force Hetty out
from her room. Initially, she tried to frighten Hetty with ghost story and also burden
Hetty with schoolwork so that Hettty would be fed up with her and voluntarily leave
her room. However, those tricks failed. Hetty then complained to Lucy. Lucy tried to
talk to Pixie but failed. Instead, the two of them end up arguing. Pixie's father
appeared then but quickly went out of the room again as he did not want to interfere.
Lucy was disappointed with Pixie for not putting with any effort to integrate and mix
with the family. Pixie was disappointed that there was nothing for her at Lucy's
home.

After expressing their frustrations and disappointments, both Lucy and Pixie cried
and the made up. Pixie was able to tolerate her stepsisters and Hetty help her with
her homework. She also tried to be more sociable at Lucy's home.

The Plot

Exposition

Pixie visits her dad every alternative week. Her stepmother has two daughters from
her previous marriage. The two step-sisters, Hetty and Sophie, have a fight resulting
in Hetty moving into Pixies room.

Rising Action

Pixies doesnt like her step-sisters at all. She hates Hetty as she is too smart and
popular, in fact Hetty is a nice person. However Pixie wants Hetty out of her room.
She tries every trick she could. She succeeds but in a different manner than the way
she planned.

Climax

Hetty informs her mother about Pixies plans. Lucy confronts Pixie who divulges all.

Falling Action

The mother compromises with Pixie. They understand the fathers stand.

Resolution

The mother and children understand each other and their father and live happily.

Setting
Lucys and Pixies Dads house.

Theme
When parents break up, the family shatters, no one and no one will feel it most than
those family members, particularly the teenagers. Being a teenager is already most
trying, but when families break up at that period of time, the difficult feeling is multifold.

Characters (The Main Characters)

Pixie (Priscilla/Cilla)

Priscilla is young and immature. She goes to her fathers house on the alternative
week. She finds it difficult living there as she herself is immature and
uncompromising. She wants to be noticed but does not notice the others in the
house. She seems to find fault with others while her faults are brushed away.

Pixies Dad

Avoids all controversial issues. Wants the family to be happy but treats all the family
issues as not his problem. Has to bend backwards towards Lucys family.

Pixies Mum

Very possessive of Pixie and her things. Does not like Pixie leaving any of her things
at her dads place.

Lucy

Pixies stepmother. Takes care of the whole family without complaining. Wants to
make the family successful. She tries very hard.

Hetty

Very intelligent and kind. Very matured.

Sophie

Hettys sister.

Quality of Characters

 Pixie (Priscilla/Cilla)
Characteristics
Afraid
Witty
Keen
Boastful
Brilliant
Frustrated
Dislike

Supporting information
...Pixie preferred safety in numbers...
They probably still will be...
Give it to me.
Im brilliant at reading.
I had to put two home addresses on my
permission form.
...dont want to bother to seeing my
father any more,...
And I cant stand Hetty Payne
Im not too keen on Sophie...

Pixies Dad
Characteristics
Compromising
spineless
Unfair

Selfish

Coward

Supporting information
Lucy thinks Hetty might find that
unsettling,
...crawling round his new family as if
everything about them mattered more?
So long as I pretend that everythings
fine ...Hes all smiles...But if I say
anything its very different.
...he just got on with his own selfish,
quiet life, pretending he didnt notice
things or leaving them for Lucy...
...just to tease him, one of us might
mutter: Well Lucy thinks...

Lucy
Characteristics
Responsible
Fair
disappointed
Sarcasm
/regret
Embarrassed
Unappreciated
Fighter

Supporting information
...I knew she was taking this seriously. It
mattered to her.
Hetty says youre not talking to her.
...she was really irritated,... ...Leave it
all to the Wicked Stepmother...
...if Id had the faintest idea what I was
getting into, I wouldnt have done it in a
million years.
She went bright red
Lucy went scarlet.
But do i get any support from her?
Whatever I do I simply cannot win!
I have to keep trying

 Hetty
Characteristics
Confrontational
Intelligent
well-mannered
talented
popular
Sensible

Supporting information
...Sophie and Hetty had a terrible
quarrel... ...a real stand-up fight...
...gift for maths...
...can explain things till...
...natural good manners...
...way with animals...
...everyones darling...
...went straight to her mother and told
her what was going on...

Lesson and Moral Values

Life is mean. We cant be mean too. An eye for an eye would only make the whole
world blind. Meanness creates only enemies and confrontations. Kindness should be
recognised and appreciated. It should not be replied with meanness.

Robbos
Story
Synopsis
Robbo's parents spilt up when he was only six years old. Robbo's father then moved
out from their house and Robbo and his sister, Callie visited him at his place
regularly. Robbo's stepfather, Roy moved to their home but Callie disliked him. She
also nicknamed him as 'The Beard' as Roy seemed to interfere with their family
affairs. Their mother then gave a birth to Dumpa, Robbo's half brother.

One day, when Roy and their mother had a row, Callie tried to get their parents back
together but failed. day, Robbo's mother had a serious row with Roy over Callie's
habit of pushing her bicycle through the narrow space between his car and the
bushes beside it as it almost scratched Roy's car. They started shouting each other .
Roy was angry as he felt his wife siding with Callie and that neither of them
appreciated his effort in sending the kids to school or paying for food. Robbo's

mother and Roy's efforts to solve the problem but they ended up arguing. the
situation worsen when Roy decided not to drive Callie to school and sledging
activities when snow started to fall. He even refused to buy her favourite brand of
cereals as she was not polite and civil to him.

The next day, roy decide to clear the shed during the middle of a heavy snowfall with
Dumpa following him. Robbo's mother tried to get Dumpa in, but he refused and
only listened to Roy. Robbo then succeeded in coaxing Dumpa into the house by
offering him strawberry rocket ice lolly. From that day onward, their mother was
always stuck in the middle, as both Callie and Roy were unhappy and upset with each
other. She also realized that the only solution to the problem is for her to move out
her father's place.

Robbo's father then suggested to his ex-wife to go on a holiday with Roy to help them
solving the problem. He even offered to take care of Dumpa while there were away.
The story ended with Robbo's optimistic view of his family as they can now start
afresh.

Ralph compared Robbo's story to Richard Harwick's story because his sister, Callie
and Richard both did not like their stepfathers and had to leave their family.
However, unlike Richard who ran away from his family, Callie tried something
different in order to make things work at home. Ralph also mentioned that everyone
in their group had tried their best to solve their problems at home. Claudia then put
the journal back into its place, but took out Charlotte's little wooden cow, removed a
tiny splinter, and gave the little wooden cow to Ralph who thrust it into Collin's bag,
hoping that Colin would find his stepfather again.

The Plot

Exposition

Robbo and his sister Cassie live with their biological mum, Hope. Their mum marries
Roy and they have a son called Dumpa.

Rising Action

Cassie does not like Roy and tries very hard to break Roys relationship with her
mum so that she can join back with her biological Dad. She tries very hard. But fails.
However Roy and Hope do have a confrontation because of Cassie.

Climax

Dumpas the problem. Roy loves Dumpa so much that he returns after leaving after a
fight with Hope. Hope gives up patching up Cassie with Roy for if she takes side, she
may lose Dumpa. The problem is every one loved Dumpa.

Falling Action

After discovering that Cassie cannot tolerate Roy at all, Hope agrees to allow Cassie
to live with her Dad.

Resolution

Dumpa is not the problem. Cassie, Robbo and even their father agreed that Dumpa
can stay with them anytime, to which Hope too agreed.

Setting
Hopes house.
Robbos Dads house.

Theme
However, great the love of the adults among them, when they have children, the
childrens love for the parents and the love of the parents of the children play a
mighty role in the new family relationship. There is a great possibility that even the
new extended family relationship may be broken due to the parents love for the child
and a great possibility that the love for the child may only be the binding force
holding up the family relationship.

Characters (The Main Characters)

Robbo

Robbo seems to be a matured, intelligent, friendly and non-confrontational. He loves

his parents, his sister, his step-brother and his step-dad. He is able to live in any
condition and does not have problem in the divorce.

Callie

Callie is unable to stand her step-father. This is mainly due to the fact that she does
not want her parents separated. In fact she tries very hard to patch them back. She
loves her father very much. In the end she makes a compromise and decides to live
with her Dad.

Robbos mum

She tries very hard to be fair to her husband and her children. And eventually gives
up maintaining peace between her husband and Callie. She compromises and allows
Callie to stay with her Dad.

Roy

Roy is fair to his step-children. However he is unable to be on the good side of Callie
as she never gives him any chance. He loves his biological son, Dumpa so much.

Dumpa

Only 3 years old and very intelligent. Loves his father so much. And everybody loves
him.

Robbos Dad

Never gets along with his wife. Was happy to accept Callie into his house.

Quality of Characters
Robbo
Characteristics
brave

Matured
Love
Thrilled
Impulsive
Skeptical
Intuitive

Supporting information
...and went on a prowl up two or three
stairs...
...had cast the spell of his own courage
on them...
I dont think hes too bad...
I dont mind terribly...
Dumpas the problem you see. the
sweetest child in the whole world.
I almost fell like cheering.
Like being a real family again.
But I wasnt nearly so sure...
...suddenly realised Mum had had
enough of being the umpire between
Callie and Roy

Callie
Characteristics
Immature
Dislike

Love
Grateful
Intelligent

Hopeful
Stubborn

Supporting information
The Beards moved in and taken
everything, and its not fair.
Callie really hates him.
Callie hates it (to lord over us)...
I cant stand him.
And if it werent for Dumpa.
Dumpas the problem of course.
At least he and his dada get to live in the
same house...
Callie had been right all week
From Callie still thought that it was....
to...take us in that caf for a drink.
People do get back together. You never
know. It might happen.
Roy is as stubborn as Callie...

 Hope, Robbos mum

Characteristics
Protective
Intuitive
Defensive
Confrontational
Motherly

Desperate
Dejected

Supporting information
Mum only let him tick us off if we were
doing something really stupid...
Hes definitely his dadas son.
Youre in a real family.
Everyone has arguments.
Theyre hopeless when they meet.
Come inside, Dumpa.
Dumpa! Youre freezing out there. Come
in with us.
Robbo, ...Please try and get him to come
in for me.
Because hes dadas son
Mum sank on the edge of a chair as if Id
punched the stuffing out of her.
And Im stuck in the middle.

Roy the Beard

Characteristics
Sensible
Hurt
confrontational
Stubborn
sarcasm

sulking
Compromise
Tactful

Defensive

Supporting information
Go round
Thats my car youre about to scratch.
Because shes not my daughter? Is that
it?
It seemed they couldnt come to terms at
all.
Roy is as stubborn as Callie...
Why? Arent two children out of three
enough for you?
Come in to what though?
I dont see why not. You obviously have!
She can too.
All right,...Take Dumpa in with you.
Im sending Robbo in to fetch you an ice
lolly. And when its finished, you go back
inside. Is that a deal?
Everyone has arguments.

Dumpa
Characteristics
Excited
Cunning

Supporting information
...went tumbling down the stairs...
The three of us ...watched for nearly an
hour as Dumpa outsmarted us

 Robbos Dad
Characteristics
Hard working
Defensive
Confrontational

Supporting information
...work for years and years to pay for a
nice house...
Dont snap at the boy, Hope...
Theyre hopeless when they meet.

Lesson and Moral Value

1. One cannot expect everything to fall into place like one wants to in any
situation. This applies to divorces too. Just because one finds the first
marriage is unable to continue, that does not mean the second marriage will
fall into place neatly.
2. The most difficult issue in any divorce is the childrens issue. When adults
are unable to solve their differences even though they are married can
children be forced to accept the differences which is naturally present in the
new family members?
3. After a divorce, what can parents do if their own children fight against them
and the new relationship? A precarious situation which is difficult and
unsolvable unless there is ample compromise.