Lockie Leonard Assignment Part 2-

1)  From the moment the novel begins, the reader immediately feels sorry and has a likeable affection for Lockie Leonard, as he is a teenager who has just moved into a new town and is starting a new high school. Along with being in unfamiliar surroundings, the reader also sees how he copes with his bed-wetting brother and how tolerant he is looking after him. The reader cannot help but think Lockie is a good, likeable character. In the first chapter he is described as, ‘generally polite and knew how to keep himself clean and tidy’. Lockie unfortunately becomes the victim of bullying when he first starts school but he is never the person to start any trouble. When it comes to growing up, he becomes very conscious and Lockie’s antics in dealing with wet dreams depicts him as a humorous and likeable character in the novel. He is also seen in a good light by the courage he displays in following the guidance officer, John East’s advice on starting a surf club. Lockie is always the responsible and sensible one, for example, Lockie did not feel comfortable hitching a lift explaining, ‘My old man wouldn’t approve’, and did not accept a cigarette from Vicki when offered because he knew it would be the wrong thing to do. Right through the novel there is evidence that he respects the morals taught to him by his parents. Lockie could also not tolerate the bad behaviour of the Youth Group members. Lockie deliberately kept out of trouble, even when punched by one of the Bogans, he did not fight back. His most heroic act was displayed at the surf club meeting after Vicki had betrayed Lockie. He stuck up for Vicki at the meeting and he actually was quite honorable and forgiving towards her even after what she had done. It is Lockie’s good character in the novel that eventually gives him the maturity to reject Vicki’s advances which he was not ready for. 

2)  Although Lockie Leonard is generally portrayed as a good natured character, there are several instances when he can be seen as an unlikeable character. There are parts in the novel that he displays bad behaviour or flaws. The fact that Lockie, ‘ hated going to Church’ shows a little of his rebellious nature. In addition, Lockie misbehaved and spoke back to the woodwork teacher fully aware of the consequences. When taken water skiing by Vicki’s parents, Lockie was seen to be ungrateful when he told Vicki straight out about how he feels about her family saying, ‘I hate ’em’. It was, however, when he was absorbed in his thoughts about Vicki that he started ignoring his brother and fighting with his parents. His mood changed and he became a less likeable character. The following paragraph from the novel illustrates his change of character: ‘After a while there were more door-slamming episodes at the Leonard house. Lockie went all prickly and couldn’t take a joke. The more the Sarge and Mum and Phillip tried to laugh him out of it, the snakier he got. To Phillip he started sounding more like the President and the school councilor and the bigknobs than like the old brother he used to have, the one who didn’t take himself so seriously, the one who mucked around and listened to what you had to say. Nowadays he talked like he was used to having people hang on every word, as if now he was a VIP’.