Teamwork In Rodman Philbrick's Freak The Mighty

A strong teamwork is built when the team members ameliorate each other’s weaknesses with their strengths. In Rodman Philbrick’s Freak the Mighty, Maxwell Kane and Kevin Avery work together as a team, mitigating one another’s shortcomings and making friends in the process. Max and Kevin’s symbiotic relationship helps the boys socially, brings their good out into the world, and morphs them into a bionic body that makes up for the other’s flaws. As both Max and Kevin have been alienated for their uniqueness, they form a tight bond with each other. This is shown when Max finds Kevin in need of help and reaches out in kindness by retrieving his ornithopter, saying, “You want this back or what?” (12). Max awkwardly accosts Kevin, reflecting his

An example of their adventures is when Kevin mouths at Tony D. and his gang, defending Max and himself; after of which he discovers that Max could not have fought Tony and incredulously questions, “You mean you couldn’t take him and I was giving him lip?” (31). Kevin’s words reveal his trust in Max. He incited Tony, believing Max would be able to protect the both of them. The boys’ next conflict, an encounter with Iggy, the head of a troublemaking motorcycle gang, and Loretta, his wife, show Max’s concern for Kevin and his wanting to keep Kevin safe: “I feel real bad for Freak because he hated it when people try to rub his head for luck, but I don’t say a word, I just run us home, thumping the short way back around the pond, and my big feet never trip me up because I’m on automatic, I’m this running machine” (72). Max is very attuned and sensitive to Kevin’s feelings, an important quality in a friendship. Also, his desire to protect Kevin and keep him away from Iggy and Loretta prevent his clumsiness from impeding his speedy progress to home. The conflicts Freak the Mighty encounter prove the boys’ undeniable teamwork and