The Three Angeles in Hawk In William Wallis’s autobiographical novel, Hawk, the author quickly establishes that a tender child, Will Flake, will be bombarded with challenging circumstances that will provoke a constant struggle in his young life. Wallis chronicles the growing pains of this seven-year-old child of agony, pain, and suffrage. Growing up in the early 1950’s in Arkansas, Wallis recalls his perception of his family life and survival. Living on a self-sustained farm, Will helped maintain through chores and strict guidance from his father. Who was the source of the pain, and who was anything but supportive. His father possessed a monstrous side of violence, which piled on more pain in spirit than of course physically. Having suffered and survived through his unconventional childhood experiences of pains and disappointments, he was cursed and blessed at the same time. A horrible accident in the woods caused him to become crossed-eyed, and blinded his right eye forever. At school, his peers mercilessly bullied him for being different, leaving him with insecurities. He endures pain and punishments from his father, Will is not simply “hurt by the anger of his father,” but doesn’t seem to comprehend it at such a young age, as he is beaten unconscious by him on page 41 (Wallis, Hawk). Despite it all, he stays strong in the face of abuse, mocking and humiliations. On the contrary, there are things aside from Wills troubles that are blessings. Will survives his childhood with significant characters like Ruth, Will 's frail mother, who gives him his passion for classical music; Alma, a nurse with a good heart that taught him to read; and his neighbor Tyree, who gave him the gift of friendship.
Children do not become courageous and resilient on their own but with the influence from strong significant events and people. A mother means the world to a child, it is she