The Lesson Roger Never Learns

From beginning to end, the one lesson Roger never learns is not to be overconfident. He never shows uncertainty about his abilities, self-reliance, or bravery, even when it’s to his detriment. They get a ride with a tractor-trailer and he’s convinced they’ll be in California in two days. He delivers a baby almost nonchalantly. He stands his ground in Wendover against the cowboys until it’s almost too late. He can’t understand why Laura Gywnne doesn’t take a romantic interest in him. In Utah he sees a car with Jersey plates, and automatically thinks they’ve bagged a ride all the way across. The big hopes turn into some pretty big pratfalls. He takes his share of hard knocks. That's his learning curve. Hopefully readers understand the difference between youthful innocence and being a cocksure bastard, of which the latter he’s not. It is quite an optimistic standpoint, though. That’s the power of having faith. Roger always wants to go for it, latch onto the highest ideal. For that quality, I think he's worthy of praise. I want readers to root for him and like him.