When the Boxcar Children settle into their makeshift home in the woods, Henry becomes a father figure to his family. The children seem to look to him as their leader. He is the one who works and provides for the family, plus he's strong, fast, and knows how to build things. He pays for the food and brings it home (but never cooks it), and when he thinks his family is in danger, he tries to protect them.
As Henry models these traditionally masculine qualities in The Boxcar Children, we see Benny begin to emulate them. He's just 5 years old, though, so he hasn't quite gotten the hang of this whole "being a man" thing yet.
Questions About Men and Masculinity
- Who has the harder job: Henry or Jessie? Explain your answer.
- Why do you think Jessie and Henry never discuss how they will divide up the work? What assumptions does this reveal?
- Do you think that Henry and Jessie are equally brave? Why or why not?
Chew on This
The Boxcar Children emphasizes Henry's physicality—that is, the things he does with his body.
In The Boxcar Children, Benny demonstrates both masculine and feminine qualities.