Question 2012

  Based on the novel “Step by Wicked Step” by Anne Fine, an event that makes me angry is how Pixie’s father reacted when Pixie was having a quarrel with her step mother, Lucy.
 First off, Pixie’s father reacted childishly when he finds out that Pixie and Lucy were quarrelling. For instance, when he went in to the room where Lucy and Pixie were quarrelling, instead of trying to solve the tension between them, after saying “Whoops!” he leaves the room. When the tension between them has been solved, he comes in the room saying “Are you scrappers ready for a cup of tea?”. This childish act by the father leaves me angry.
 Secondly, Pixie’s father thinks unrealistically about the problems in his household. For instance, Lucy states that Pixie’s father wants it both ways and doesn’t think realistically. “Then there’s your dad, he wants it both ways too.” Pixie’s father also wants to create a happy family without helping resolve the tension between Pixie, Lucy, Hetty and Sophie as he does not dare to speak to any of them to resolve it. This is due to the ignorance of the father of the problems present in the family revolving around them which he then proceeds to blame Lucy about it. “Pixie’s father hasn’t got the guts to speak to either of you about the things that make life difficult for Sophie, Hetty and me, then all of a sudden it’s as if I am the problem, not you three!”
 Thirdly, Pixie’s father acted selfishly towards the problems between his new family and Pixie. Pixie’s father did not bother helping any of his family members resolve their problems between them by staying out of things and only appearing when the trouble was over. “I think she was fed up with him forever staying out of things, and not facing up to what was bothering everyone, and only creeping in when he thought the trouble was over, and it was safe.” He also didn’t stand up for Pixie or Lucy when they needed it and went on it live his own selfish life without noticing things. “He could have stuck up for me when I was right (and maybe even for Lucy when I was wrong). But instead he just got on with his own selfish, quiet life, pretending he didn't notice things, or leaving them for Lucy, and never trying to sort out any of the horrible, horrible mess he'd made by changing all our lives forever.”
 In conclusion, I am angry at how Pixie’s father reacted so immaturely and selfishly when it comes to his family’s problems. Pixie’s father should have helped them solve it by reaching out to them and understanding how both sides felt about each other. Instead, he decided to fold his arms and play it safe until the problem resolves itself. In the end, he was the one that caused the problems that arose between the two families. This attitude by Pixie’s father should change and he should be courageous to step up for either side of his family when they are right and help them be closer to each other.