Character Clues
Character Analysis
Actions
How often does your English teacher talk about the importance of showing, and not telling? Well, actions in a story serve the same purpose. They show us exactly what characters are like, rather than just telling us about them.
For instance, we learn that Boon is like a giant child when he misses Ludus, who is standing less than twenty feet away from him, with his gunshots. We also learn that Boon is obsessed with the car when he comes up with elaborate ploys to convince Grandfather to allow him to take care of it in his absence.
We also learn how Lucius feels about sexism through his fight with Otis. Attempting to protect Miss Corrie's honor, Lucius tackles Otis to the ground in an effort to put an end to her nephew's derogatory comments. He doesn't talk about his feelings openly, but his actions tell us all we need to know.
Actions speak louder than words here—especially Lucius's actions, since he's the one growing up in the story. He's very good at offering play-by-plays and allowing us to judge the characters for ourselves, just as he would have then based on their actions.
Names
What's in a name? A whole lot of important information, that's what. Let's take a closer look at some of the names in this baby.
Lucius means light; a boon is something helpful; and Ned, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, is an old Scottish term for an uneducated delinquent.
Well, that basically sums up these three characters. We have someone who brings light, or wisdom (Lucius), another who brings help (Boon), and a third who brings trouble (Ned).
Lucius offers us his wisdom by telling his story as adult with the advantage of hindsight, Boon assists Lucius in his transformation from childhood into adulthood, and Ned just causes trouble the moment he emerges as a stowaway in the Winton Flyer.
Social Status
Social status is huge in the characterization of Ned in particular. It also informs Ned's dynamic with Boss Priest, and it serves as the reason he is able to convince Boon and Lucius to allow him to journey with them.
Illegitimate Ned claims he has more of a right to Boss Priest's assets than Lucius, who is the guy's grandson, does. Boon, on the other hand, has absolutely no claims, since he isn't even related by blood. Ned uses this advantage as leverage to continue on the journey with the guys, and it's also his motivation for tricking grandfather into betting all of his money on the horse.
If you were screwed over by the social system just because of the circumstances of your birth or the color of your skin, you might want to get your revenge on that system, too—just like Ned.