Although both text were able to create sympathy for their character who are victims to racial bigotry, Jackson is more successful in evoking sympathy for Boyd. Both characters were confronted with similar situations; however, they are constructed differently in their gender, status and predominantly, their age. Even though both characters were vulnerable to bigotry, readers would feel more sympathy towards Boyd as he is an innocent child. On the contrary, Marian is a responsible and mature adult who is capable of standing up for her rights. However, Boyd is too young to comprehend Mrs Wilson’s subtle racist assumptions as she offers him ‘plenty of food’ so he can ‘work hard’ and old used clothing which he politely declined. Boyd is not yet
