Which Character Do You Prefer?

[Shrabastee]

I do not like the choices either of them made. However, Duke's character was more colorful, more eventful and he was in control of his own life. I admire how even Gary describes him as the epitome of self-reliance. On the other hand, Gary keeps stumbling in his life. His situation is pitiful, but somehow it feels to me that it was his own doing. He could have chosen a better path in life. So my answer to this question is Duke!

[Shrabastee]

Duke was always in touch with his demons. He understood the risks and consequences of his actions, but still made the choices he did. I liked this flawed character because he took ownership of his choices.

Gary, well, Gary didn't make choices. Gary just hedonistically drifts from one bad decision to another. He turns his life around but we aren't witnesses to that transformative stage of his life--just to the wild years and the events that occur decades later.

Precisely my thoughts. Duke chose his path and was in control of his life. Gary sort of stumbles through life. The pitiful situation he was in seems to be his own doing.

[Shrabastee]

I preferred Duke over Gary. Duke had greater caring for other people and most of his actions were self-destructive rather than hurtful to others. Gary didn't seem to care much other people's feelings and didn't try to improve himself until he met Duke.

I agree with you. Duke was what he chose to be. Gary was more of a lost soul. I believe he could have chosen a better path for himself. I am glad that he found Duke, but that did not necessarily have to be the case if he just took more responsibility for his actions.

[R Lawrence]

I found Duke’s story much more interesting than Gary’s. Duke had a story to tell but Gary was just passing through life and his misbehaving got old quickly.

[Hiruni Bhagya 81]

I didn't like the immature hedonistic ways of Gary and how Duke was addicted to drugs and alcohol even in the latter part of his life. But, I respect both of them. Because, Duke knew his faults and showed others the correct path while Gary was able to achieve a stable life and write books in order to lead the modern day teens in the correct path.

[supernatural143]

Both Duke and Gary's characters are interesting. I find Duke's life more compelling simply because he had the opportunity to redeem himself and have his own family.

[Scrawling Pen]

I liked Duke's character better. I think to an extent, the two are similar, but Duke is much more introspective and able to see his life from a different perspective. His life experience has made him wise.

[10mile72]

I agree with most of the comments -- Duke was a better character; he knew what he was about, accepted the tradeoffs he had made, and was steering his own ship. He also had a good heart and cared about his circus family.

[Mounce574]

I preferred Duke because he had a better grasp of reality and that his choices in life led him to where he was. Gary seemed only out for his next fix and it took nearly dying to make him face his problems. He also seemed to be hypocritical towards his mother as he took her path and vaulted into a full on life of destruction doing the same thing she did.