During a flashback in Chapter 3 of Gary D. Schmidt's Trouble, we learn that, when Henry had asked Franklin why he wanted to climb Katahdin, Franklin had said doing so shows "you have guts" and can "handle Trouble." Yet, Franklin's interpretation of what trouble is and how to handle it shows that he is a prejudiced, cruel bully.

In Chapter 3, Franklin explains that a trail leading to the summit of Katahdin is called the Knife Edge, which at one point is nothing but a narrow ridge with a steep drop on either side. Many have died hiking the Knife Edge. Since hiking Katahdin is so dangerous, in Franklin's mind, successfully doing so shows that "you have guts. You can handle anything," like trouble. Yet, Franklin also continues to describe a recent moment in which he "handled Trouble." It was a moment in which he shoved someone "up on the wall" and held him at a stranglehold because the person was flirting with Louisa. Later, during Chay Chouan's trial, we learn Franklin had attacked Chay and had held him in a stranglehold until he went unconscious; then, Franklin had left him unconscious on the floor. Since we know Franklin had attacked Chay, we know Franklin had done so out or racial prejudices. Because Chay is a Cambodian refugee, Franklin did not want Chay spending time with his sister. Hence, we see that Franklin's idea of handling trouble is committing hate crimes, which tells us that, while alive, he was prejudiced and cruel.