What is the lesson of Freak the Mighty?
This is not really a fair question because this book has so many lessons to teach; however, in my opinion, the main lesson of Freak the Mighty is that friendship and platonic love can breakdown many barriers.
At the beginning of the story, Max has low self-esteem, feels unloved by his father, and deems himself completely unintelligent. Likewise, at the beginning of the story, Kevin suffers greatly from his birth defects (both with his small stature and his limp) and lives only in his imaginary worlds.
Things change for the two boys because of their platonic love for each other. Together, the two become the unified "Freak the Mighty." Max learns that he is both incredibly smart and brave, able to combat even powerful criminals like his father, Kenny "Killer" Kane. Kevin learns that, although he cannot change his physical deformity, he can completely overcome it by being friends with Max. Kevin can now move quickly and with strength as "Freak the Mighty." Further, through the boys' adventures, Kevin explores the real world instead of just living within his imaginary world.
The beauty of friendship transforms the pair of boys. Although Max struggles with Kevin's death, Max emerges as a stronger person than he ever was before, able to write down the stories of Kevin and Max as "Freak the Mighty." These stories (the ones found in this book) are a testament to the power of friendship and platonic love.
What is the theme of the novel Freak the Mighty?
In the novel, Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick, two themes are evident in the story. The theme of love and friendship is supported by the teaming up of two very unlikely friends, a very smart but physically very small and vulnerable Kevin with a normal size but angry Max. The second theme is almost part of the first in that the second theme is about transformation. Both boys change in the novel. Max, through Kevin's gifts and love for him, changes to see that his grandparents do love him, that he is worthy of love, and that his physical growth in size mirrors his interior growth of love and acceptance. Kevin changes as he works to make Max his friend. Kevin convinces Max that he is smart and that he can be much more than he thinks. When Kevin's body gives out on him, leading to his death, Max is sad but understands now that people do love him and he can go on with his life on his own without Kevin with the support of the people around him.
What is a major theme in Freak the Mighty?
One major theme is transformation. Kevin keeps the hope alive that one day technology will advance enough to transform him into a bionic half-human, half-machine. This is one of the ways he deals with his sickness and the prospect of dying young. When he and Max become friends and become "Freak the Mighty," he lives out this hope. Max gets the brain and Kevin gets the legs to move. More significantly, Kevin gives Max self-confidence and friendship. It is because of this relationship that Max lightens up, realizes he is not like his father and realizes that he is not as stupid as he (and others) previously believed him to be. By the end of the novel, Max is transformed himself. He is more confident, happier, and imaginative.
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