In Robert Newton's novel Runner, it becomes very visible that Charlie Feehan had great confidence in Squizzy Taylor as a possible mentor, because Charlie had lost his father at a very young age. However, Charlie quickly realized that his hypothesis was incorrect. First, we learn that Charlie's father has died and the family was facing tough financial times, living in the slums of Richmond with no income. The protagonist earns an excellent fortune when he gets a job at Squizzy Taylor. Charlie assumed that he would be a new father figure to him and lead him to a better life for his family, as Charlie was still a young boy who wanted to try to be a man. Charlie admired Squizzy for always being there to protect him and he also gave him power, while Charlie knew he had his back. Nevertheless, Squizzy realized that he was wrong to think that Squizzy was loyal and compassionate, through the trials, where his true colors were revealed and his wicked side came out. This novel shows the hope that Charlie maintains, which helps him persist in performing wise actions, with a mentor in whom he had great trust and the discovery of Squizzy's true identity, to which he was blind throughout the novel. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Charlie loses his father at a young age. This impacts the protagonist both emotionally and physically, as he must now take on the role of the man in the house, in order to provide for and provide for his family. Charlie has to step into the long pants of adulthood at a young age, where he was different from most kids who get by and take life easy. Charlie had no idea what he was supposed to do or how to act, but he tried to stay strong "...When the undertakers came to carry away my father's lifeless body...it was as if they had taken away my childhood with him” (p28). Charlie was now responsible for his family, he knew that the best thing he could do to help his family survive was to keep them warm, by collecting pieces of wood and provide them with money, by finding a work. He becomes employed by notorious gangster boss Squizzy Taylor against his mother's wishes: "I wasn't proud to go behind his back like that...but our circumstances were far from normal now." This was our chance for something better and I wouldn't let anyone miss it. » (p46) Despite the fact that Charlie knows his mother wouldn't want him to do what he knows unravels his family living in poverty. Ultimately, the protagonist puts his conscience aside and works for Squizzy, who he believes will lead him to a better life for his family. Charlie showed admiration for Squizzy, as he was recognized as a father figure to him. This opinion improved when Squizzy cheats in the race, so Charlie wins and gets the job. Squizzy managed to fix Charlie's absence from school while working for him and he clarified Charlie's problem with Mr. Peacock, by threatening him, which took Charlie out of deep trouble. “At that moment, Squizzy reminded me of my father” (p. 75) Charlie was able to feel pleasure when he was with Squizzy, having the courage and confidence to always know that there was a way to out of the darkness, because Squizzy was able to make things right for Charlie. Additionally, Charlie believes Squizzy is the key to a better life for his family. “I had no illusions about.