Childhood experiences

[Sheila_Jay]

I agree that his experiences helped shape him but not just with his successes. With the disappointment of his father and the way his aunt Edith treated him, I think it also fostered the kind of independence that ended with him giving up some pretty great opportunities like working with Dr. Axelrod.

Sure. The twists and turns in his early life greatly defined the kind of person that he became later.

[Ivana Tomaš]

The experiences the author has experienced in childhood play a large part in shaping him and his later life and the decisions he makes.

[Atara Miles]

Our formative years are just that - formative. All our desires and motivations stem from at least one incident from our childhood. I think he hardened his outer shell from the constant torrent of abuse from early on, especially because he received it from his relatives. That's what made him able to stand up in front of people who doubted him because of his race or any other factor. I don't think it would have been impossible without his abuse but it did hone something in him.

[e-reeder]

With the disappointment of his father and the way his aunt Edith treated him, I think it also fostered the kind of independence that ended with him. The experiences of childhood have a long lasting and a deep impact on an individual.

[Lady-of-Literature]

I certainly understand your view and in some way I do agree, the circumstances will always effect how we grow up and in turn who we grow to be. However, the idea that that our circumstances alone is what lead us to our success or our failures I find sort of romantic - like the idea of destiny. His upbringing didn't make him the man that he is, he could have very easily turned into a darker version then we read in the book. In the end its his own actions that make him, him. But, that is just a thought.

[Umesh Bhatt]

I was much affected by the stumbling of his cycle and losing the provisions in the process and then getting harsh punishment which is too much at that tender age.

[Agbata precious]

I agree that his experiences helped shape him but not just with his successes. With the disappointment of his father and the way his aunt Edith treated him, I think it also fostered the kind of independence that ended with him giving up some pretty great opportunities like working with Dr. Axelrod.

Good point.