finished climbing to the top of a mountain, where he sits on a stone to admire the view." From this we can see that Jarvis has separated himself from the world and only observes from an outside perspective. Even though he does think about many controversial issues, he never bothers to state his opinion and try to make a difference. Jarvis has never talk to anyone about what he thinks of these controversial ideas, he just likes being by himself admiring a spectacular view. At this point in the novel, Jarvis's basic needs are satisfied at Kohlberg's fourth stage.Jarvis has always believed in traditional ideas, but during the course of the novel and as a result of his son's death, he moves closer to his son's position. Despite the fact that Jarvis undergoes a dreadful suffering, he still tries to come to some understanding of the racial problem of South Africa by trying to understand his son. What most influences Jarvis about his son Arthur is the knowledge that Arthur had been threatened on several occasions, but had answered the threats by saying he had to speak the truth under any circumstance. Jarvis learns a great deal about his son through many of the portraits on the walls and books on the shelves throughout Arthur's house. However it was Arthur's letter that really left an impact on Jarvis. The letter contains the depth of Arthur's mind. It is well reasoned, it shows a knowledge of the nation's history, and it shows a concern for helping the oppressed rather than attacking the oppressors. Arthur was more concerned with appealing to the best in the oppressors and the worst in the oppressed. All these ideas are new to James Jarvis and it is small wonder he finds himself overwhelmed and has to read the page a second time to take it all in. This was the beginning of Jarvis's education of humanity. Arthur's funeral had a major affect on Mr. Jarvis. It brought him into direct physical contact, and on the same level of g...
