Compare And Contrast The Watsons Go To Birmingham

INTRODUCTION

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” This quote from Martin Luther King, Jr reminds everyone that acts of injustice do not occur in isolation; these acts affect not only those directly involved, but anyone who is living in the world that allows these acts to take place. Kenny Watson, the main character from The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis, and Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl living in Denmark in the 1940s, both experience injustice and through their experiences different character traits are revealed. Although, Anne Frank and Kenny Watson share similar character traits, one profound difference is what makes them unique characters.

BODY

One of the main similarities about Kenny and Anne is that they are both caring and kind. In The Diary of Anne Frank Anne was able to retain the belief that there is good in everyone. On page 76, she states “In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.” Even in the worst of times when she is faced with acts of such hatred, she is able to show kindness by trying to see the good in people who most would argue don’t deserve it. Throughout The Watsons Go to Birmingham, Kenny shows that he is caring by being aware of the feelings of others. His dad, who is

Both characters view the world with an innocence that allows them to be optimistic about the world around them and they have an incredible ability to show kindness to others, even when they don’t deserve it. This is something that can be difficult even for most adults. They live in different time periods but both still face a great injustice of their time. When faced with this injustice a major difference between the two characters becomes apparent. Unfortunately, most people will deal with injustice and it is during this time that true character will be