Grim and Gram, Max's grandparents, are a couple of the main characters in Freak the Mighty. the author, Rodman Philbrick, describes, Grim and Gram as very cautious and worried about Max. In addition Grim and Gram are protective and encouraging. In the novel, the author reveals that Grim and Gram are protective when max says, "It's the first year I get to go to the fireworks without Grim and Gram, which I've never understood, because it's right down by the millpond where I've been able to go for years" (Philbrick #29). This shows that even though Max is able to go to the millpond Grim and Gram will not let him go by himself to see the fireworks. Furthermore, the author shows that Grim and Gram are encouraging when Grim tells Max, "This is important, Max. Maybe this time they'll lock him up for good" (Philbrick #136). This is because Grim and Gram are not wanting Max to worry about Kane being able to get out of jail and having to go through this again, so they are trying tom encourage Max to testify against his dad so he cannot get out on parole. Based on the characters' behaviors and dialogue in this novel, you can clearly see that Grim and Gram are both protective and also encouraging.
By: Brandon Lepley