Belle Prater's Boy | Social Sensitivity

Belle Prater's Boy Social Sensitivity

The author shows sensitivity to the world depicted in her novel; she does not downgrade people for their lack of using standard English, she does not criticize their poverty, nor does she let her characters get away with that type of behavior, as for example in the case of Mrs. Cooper. Instead the message (never directly stated) is one of tolerance and respect.

Respect for those who are different shows sensitivity. Gypsy has to learn it as seen in the initial meeting between Woodrow and herself in which she asks him, against her mother's advice, what happened to his mother. Later she will comment on his living in a "shack" and regret she used that word. As Woodrow grows in her estimation and their friendship blossoms, it does not take a reminder from her mother to say nothing to Woodrow about the blonde-haired woman in the car with...
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