Lefty Lewis Character Analysis

Mrs. Sleet’s father. Lefty Lewis finds Bud Caldwell on the side of the road on the way from Grand Rapids from Flint and immediately shows concern for the boy. He feeds Bud and asks him questions about where he’s from before deciding shortly after to personally bring him to Grand Rapids. Lefty Lewis is a funny, good-hearted, and kind man who appears to find genuine satisfaction in helping Bud to his destination. He has a penchant for lightheartedly poking fun at the people around him; he teases Bud during their car trips, as well as his daughter and his grandchildren, Kim and Scott Sleet. Lefty is also someone who believes in causes and is willing to take risks. He helps illegally print flyers for the labor organizing movement, daring to do his part to help suffering workers. It is Lefty’s trust, concern, and compassion for others that spur him care for Bud temporarily and deliver him to Herman E. Calloway. He’s also a large part of why Bud does successfully find Herman—without Lefty, Bud would have had to walk for 24 hours to Grand Rapids. Thus, accepting Lefty’s help is another example of Bud finding comfort and care from strangers and learning to trust adults a little more.