the+two+personalities+of+David+and+Jack

=How are the two personalities of David and Jack contrasted during their growing up? In particular, how does each character's personal integrity compare with the other's?= The personalities contrast in the way that David is a timid shy boy, who loves his books. Jack is the complete opposite, with a loud and sort of onbnoxious nature. Jack gets into fights for himself and his beliefs, but won't join the gangs as it against what he believes in. [Consider what Jack does believe in. This needs to be stated.] In a way, Jack is like Robin Hood, who steals from the rich and gives to the poor, representing his morales of hurting people who hurt people. An example of this is shown when Davy gets into a fight with a problem kid and Jack gets mad at him and tells him off as it is not the moral he believes in. There is a part of Davy that looks up to Jack [Given that the book is titled 'My Brother Jack' I think that there is more than a part of him that looks up to Jack, that Jack in fact takes on the idol role even with his flaws, still Davy wants to know what makes Jack better than him.] yet a part of Davy hates Jack for his sexual way. 'That must of been **the only** time in my life I ever came to hate my brother Jack'. [ Why was this 'the only' time? The sexual exploits of Jack disturb Davy, you need to make something of this.]

As a boy David looks up to Jack and respects him as a person. Although that by the end of the book the roles have been swapped as Jack looks up to Davy and the way he lives. Jack was a typical sort of character for that era where as Davy was different and was ahead of the era .[Explain this idea - 'ahead of his era? Has the typical Australian male changed over the course of time?] Jack followed what his parents wanted him to do [But, he really didn't, he quit being a plumber which is what his parents chose for hime to do. look at the choices the parents made - Jack= plumber; Davy = lithographer. What does this suggest about the parents view of their children?] and this schooling showed this whereas Davy had a different attitude towards schooling and life. Davy possessed interests towards things such as poetry and writing, which was frowned upon when he was compared to Jack and his life and how he chose to do things. Their attitudes towards life in general are very different also, Jack lives his to the fullest and doesn't think of the consequences [ not sure I agree with Jack not being aware of the consequences of his actions, I think he is very aware], a prime example of this is when he looses his job as the apprentance plumber. Jacks attitude towards his father is very different to the attitude that Davy has towards it.

Jack has a sense of integrity whereas Davy does not. This is highlighted when Davy fights a helpless disabled boy because he's trying to get approval and acceptance from Jack. But Jack knows that fighting a disabled boy has no integrity at all. There are also other examples of Davy's cowardice such as, when his grandmother fell over his toys and hurt herself and without trying to help he ran away and hid. Jack shows extreme bravery when he is still young by standing up to his father in such instances as himself being "whipped" and mother abused. Davy never wants to credit himself and knows he has a lack of integrity by writing this life story under the title 'My Brother Jack' which again brings the focus to Jack instead of himself.

During their growing up Jack is portrayed as a very big character whereas Davy does not really have any impact on the book. Davy is shy, secretive, submissive and decietful where as Jack is upfront, loud and has no shame. Even though the story is being told from Davy's perspective he is not a big personality and has no impact on how the story unfolds.[ Sorry, I know there are no wrong answers in Literature, but ... Davy has no impact on the way the story unfolds, um, yes he does! The story is told from his perspective; Davy is in the book the whole time but the little parts that the rest of the characters are in it for make a bigger impression on the reader]. the reader finds it difficult to relate to Davy because he is so appathetic.

Davy is a submissive boy publicly, not standing up for his beliefs and prefering to keep to himself, whereas Jack gets into fights and is boisterous. But in chapter nine Davy loans Jack a considerable amount of money to get him out of trouble and to get Shiela proper care as she is sick. He continuously offers financial and moral support to them throughout the depression, although he (Davy) doesn't understand "whether I [Davy] did it out of generousity and my love for Jack, or whether it was just the price I paid to have the house peaceful again and my own life free from invasion". This shows that Davy is possible of making a selfless decision, but it is not in his charcter.[ Is it selfless though if he is doing this so as to have peace?]

Jack is willing and able to stand up for what he believes in whereas Davy would rather skip this process and go bury his nose in a book. Davy is a more publicly shy person (as said above) whereas Jack has more confidence amongst society and expresses himself more openly. Jack and David divide is birth and timing. Jack was born before the war long enough to grow up a bit before his dad went pshyco. David grew up a bit but the pressure of his family, friends, other kids and his brother brings him down to a bit of a sook. Quote "On Jack the affects of the absence of both our parents at the war had been to make him wild and adventurous and reckless. He was fighting other kids in the streets, and usally winning." pg 9 chapter 1.

Jack has taken upon the role of big brother in his stride, he is a good role model for his brother when he stands up to the local street gangs.

David is the binary opposite of Jack, and it is not until Jack leaves home that David has to grow up and look after himself. Jack is very loyal and has moral standing- whilst Davy is far too scared to protect himself or others.