The Great Leapfrog Contest And

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Mrs. Mortimer is portrayed as comforting, kind and gentle and this womanly nature is conveyed when she says to Joe “I want you. Don’t be afraid of that.” Hence, the relationship established between the farm couple is one of mutual friendship and love. The reader is positioned to respond favourably towards the two characters.
In much the same manner, the short story “The Great Leapfrog Contest” also develops the main characters so the reader responds to each in a positive manner initially. Rosie is portrayed as a tomboy in the opening paragraphs which is demonstrated through the quote “Rosie has little use for girls, and as far as possible avoided them.” She is also conveyed as smart and conniving as she had “discovered how to jump over Rex in a way that weakened him”. The reader is positioned to see Rosie as the underdog due to her gender and because of her headstrong and shrewd manner the reader responds positively ...

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Due to Elsie’s immorality and betrayal of Mrs. Mortimer’s friendship the reader looks upon her in a negative light. She not only has created problems within the marriage but also causes Mrs. Mortimer to blame herself when she says to Joe “I’m sorry. It was me. It was my fault.” This illustrates the personal conflict Mrs. Mortimer is engaged in as she rationalizes her husband’s behaviour in terms of her belief that she has not fulfilled the duty of a wife through not being able to bear children. The reader therefore is positioned to pity Mrs. Mortimer and at the same time resent Elsie’s interference in their marriage.
The story ...

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