Compare Leon with Robbie in Forms of Honor, Intelligence and Ambitions

Compare Leon with Robbie in forms of honor , intelligence and ambitions.

These two characters Leon and Robbie belonged different social classes, although Tallises tried to provide them both the same conditions and opportunities. The relationship between them can be described approximately by one phrase – sort of friends. Leon quite soberly assesses the abilities Robbie and even defends him in a dispute with his sister. He is more open-minded with regards to people of lower social status. The reader gets a positive impression of Leon from the first pages of the novel. He is good-natured and cheerful. Loved by both his sisters. However, even his sister Cecilia can see quite clearly that Leon lives a careless, but meaningless and mediocre life. He preferred simple routine job in a bank to challenging work with the opportunity of self-development. He has no plans for the future, he tend to live for the moment. Leon is the guy who is fun to hang out with, but ultimately has no substance. Leon goes with the crowd and lives for more leisurely purposes. At first sight it seems to be a kind of rebellion against social principles, but eventually it becomes clearer that Leon actually childish, spineless young man who lacks the willpower to defend their point of view. Robbie tries to live a full life using all given opportunities. He is not afraid of spending many years to carry out his wish of becoming a doctor, even if he will become disappointed. Unlike Cecilia and Leon he was a very strong and outstanding student. He does not take his education for granted. Robbie doesn’t want to be thankful for small mercies. And this is one of the key differences between him and Leon who does not have any significant ambitions. Robbie has a huge talent and extraordinary intelligence, which he does not want simply to waste. Leon, on the contrary, does not even want to know what he's capable of. But the most important thing is that Leon did not have the courage of his convictions to stand up for Robbie when he was accused of raping his cousin. It was easier for him not to be bothered.  

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