Editor's Choice
How does Bud react to adversity in the novel Bud, Not Buddy?
Quick answer:
Bud reacts to adversity with resilience and positivity. He faces challenges head-on, using his personal "rules" to navigate difficult situations and learn from past experiences. Bud maintains an optimistic outlook, even in dire circumstances, and believes that when one door closes, another opens. He accepts help from others, stays hopeful due to his mother's memory, and refuses to let emotions overwhelm him, demonstrating his determination to improve his life despite hardships.
Whenever Bud is met with adversity, he rises to the challenge and perseveres through it. Another way of saying this is that Bud never runs away from or backs down from adversity. His life is filled with adversity, too, so it would be easy for Bud to metaphorically curl up into a ball and let come what comes. That's not Bud. He might be growing up in a massive economic depression, and he might not have a living relative to take care of him; however, Bud doesn't let those facts stop him from trying to improve his life. Bud is an incredibly positive character, and that helps him get through tough times. For example, riding a train car with no bed or bathroom doesn't dampen his mood in the slightest. He thinks it will be great fun to just urinate out of the moving car.
"Naw, I didn't really do...
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nothing much. Well, how 'bout the toilet? How we going to use the toilet if the train doesn't stop?"
Bugs said, "You just kind of lean out of the door and go."
"When the train is still moving?"
"Yeah. You get a real nice breeze."
"Oh, man! That sounds great! Count me in, I can't wait!"
Another reason that Bud handles adversity so well is that he is a quick learner. When something bad happens to him in the past, he remembers it and makes rules about scenarios. Bud is then able to apply those rules to similar situations in order to make quick and effective decisions that help him overcome challenges.
RULES AND THINGS NUMBER 118
You Have To Give The Adults Something That They Think They Can Use To Hurt You By Taking It Away. That Way They Might Not Take Something Away That You Really Do Want Unless They Are Crazy Or Real Stupid. They Won’t Take Everything Because If They Did They Wouldn’t Have Anything Left To Hold Over Your Head To Hurt You With Later.
Finally, Bud realizes that challenges that seem to close one door will often cause another door or avenue to be opened to him. Bud simply refuses to believe that he's ever in a situation that he can't get out of. It's advice his mother gave him when she was still alive.
And Bud, I want you always to remember, no matter how bad things look to you, no matter how dark the night, when one door closes, don't worry, because another door opens.
Throughout the novel, Bud Caldwell perseveres in the face of adversity. Bud relies on his "rules" that he has created in order to survive and make the right choices in difficult situations. Although many of his rules are naive and do not help him, Bud keeps a positive attitude and attempts to make the best out of bad situations. Bud escapes the Amos household, attempts to walk to Grand Rapids, and remains positive when he meets the ornery Herman Calloway. Bud also relies on helpful, caring individuals to aid him on his journey to find his father. Bud accepts the help of others to get through difficult times. Whenever he realizes that Herman Calloway is a mean person, he does not quit and attempt to leave Grand Rapids. Bud also refuses to cry and let his emotions get the best of him when he is faced with adversity. His peaceful memories about his mother give him hope that allows him to conquer difficult situations throughout his journey.