David

David is the main character of the novel. The story begins with him as a young child and concludes when he is around the age of sixteen. David is an only child who lives with his mother, father and aunt. He is not athletic or social and spends the majority of his time with his Aunt Mae. His favorite place is the room in the house with his toy train, where he has creates his own fantasy world, escaping the hardships he faces daily.

David develops into a young man with the potential for a bright future, but no one will ever allow him that opportunity. He only finishes eighth grade, although he aspires to one day finish college. The circumstances in his life including the death of his father, his mother going mentally insane and his aunt leaving town, all mold the person that David becomes. Remarkably...