Is Richard a Bad Boy?

Richard seems to be well intentioned most of the time and so I believe he is not being "bad" knowingly. He grew up in a economically disadvantaged household and was raised among a feeling of stress and violence. For example, when he lights the curtains aflame he is not trying to stick it to his parents, he is merely curious, and wants to have some fun and excitement. Also when he goes on the street and totally owns the bullies trying to take his grocery money he didn't know that kind of behavior is usually frowned upon in the US of A. Another example of Richard's "badness" is when he hangs out at the local pub and gets hammered regularily. He doesn't understand what he is doing is wrong, for he was never taught what was the right thing to do.

I think there is a very distinct line between behavior being blamed on environment and when it can be balmed on the person. In Richard's case I think most of his behavior can be blamed on the environment. For example, when he asks the teacher to tell him about bluebeard. His grandmother gets furious and Richard doesn't know why. He couldn't have known that listening to a story was a bad thing to do. But an example of a bad call by Richard is when he takes the kitten to the gallows and strings him up. This was a total lapse of judgement in Richard and should be balmed on him. Yes, his father did say to "kill that cat" but some things just need to be implied, you know?

ThE FiRsT PoSt

This is my opening post just to welcome people's thoughts and ideas. This can be a place of reflection, learning, and discussion of the latest and greatest books.