He witnesses fights between the Indians and the Americans in a bar. People in the town always discriminate against the Indians and David has to decide what he thinks is right or wrong. In addition, an uncle who doesn't obey the law and has bad behavior lives in his family's house. David was abused by his uncle when his uncle would come back from the bar. Frank would try to beat someone in the house but Wesley, David's father, would stop him most of the time if he was home. The abuse affected David's view of the world and he developed a sullen attitude towards his family. He would also ask himself many questions such as "I wonder what might happen if I killed my uncle. Would everyone's problems be solved? Would my father be relieved? Could I get away with it?" (P.? David's thoughts) David was a very clear thinker. He made judgments about everything in his life. He would decide whether he liked a person or not just by his first impression and not by getting to know the person. He also vandalized a wall in his town where he knew everyone would see it. David's world changed once he lost his view of life being fair. David must overcome this situation to become successful in his life. He has been held back by the many problems in his life such as his mother and his uncle mistreating him. David cannot rise above his problems and solve them to lead a good life. Although Uncle Frank changed David's life, his own life took a turn for the worst after he lost his trust in the world. Uncle Frank went through a very rough life and affected many people in the process. .

             At the beginning of the novel, Uncle Frank, a physician, is not seen as a major player in the plot. His loss of trust in the world came when he was young and he was arrested by his own brother for participating in a bar fight at a young age. He losses his faith in his family after being arrested. He evolves into a very bad person and causes lots of heartache for his family and the townspeople.