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In Bud, Not Buddy, how are Bud and Herman similar?
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Bud and Herman are similar in their tendency to collect sentimental items and their deep longing for a lost family member. Bud carries a suitcase full of cherished items, while Herman collects rocks from performance venues. Both are also cautious and protective, with Bud developing rules for safety and Herman maintaining a tough exterior. Additionally, they share a musical talent and a profound love for Angela Janet Caldwell.
On the surface, Bud appears to be completely different from his grandfather, Herman E. Calloway. While Bud is young, enthusiastic, and friendly, Herman is a grumpy, callous old man, who is reserved and mean. Despite their obvious differences, Bud and his grandfather share some similarities. Both Bud and Herman are collectors, who value certain possessions and cherish memories, particularly memories involving Angela Janet Caldwell. Bud travels everywhere with his suitcase, which is full of sentimental items. He is extremely protective of his suitcase and uses the items to help him locate Herman E. Calloway, who he originally thinks is his father. Similarly, Herman E. Calloway carries numerous rocks with him that he collects from every venue he has performed. Herman's motivation for collecting rocks stems from his love for his daughter, Angela. Both Bud and Herman are also driven to find a long-lost family member. Bud is motivated to find...
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his father while Herman is motivated to find his daughter. Bud and Herman are also cautious individuals, who are particularly suspicious of others. As an orphan living in the streets, Bud develops a system of rules designed to protect him from strangers. Similarly, Herman's tough exterior and callous personality protect his tender heart.
At first glance, Bud and Herman seem very different from one another, and in many ways they are. Herman is a distant, gruff and abrupt older, large man who appears mean. Bud is a small, young boy who is very talkative, friendly and helpful.
However, the two do have some deeper characteristics in common beyond the obvious genes we find out they do in fact share. Bud and Herman both tremendously miss Bud's mother, who is also Herman's daughter. This longing for someone who has died drives many of the decisions they both make and attitudes they both have. While Bud takes action to locate his mother, Herman throws himself into his music when Bud's mother runs away.
Another characteristic the two appear to share is a talent for music. When Bud is given the recorder by the band members so that he can learn music, it is not long before he has shown he has some talent. By the end of the story, the band members have given Bud a saxophone to begin learning to play.