Minor Characters In Suzette Mayr's The Sleeping Car Porter

Minor characters and their roles in the evolution of the protagonist

Suzette Mayr introduces a perspective into the life of a sleeping car porter in Canada in the 1960s in her book "The Sleeping Car Porter." The porter's name was Baxter. The novel follows Baxter's life, ambition, duties, and struggles, including racism, homophobia, and personal battles. Throughout the story, there are several other minor characters that Suzette Mayr introduces. These characters play a vital role in Baxter's development in his journey. This essay will use evidence from the story to analyze how these characters contribute to Baxter's growth and development. Edwin Drew was one of the characters that contributed to Baxter's Development. Edwin Drew was Baxter's

The novel depicts Esme as a young white girl who is inquisitive. Baxter met her with her grandmother trying to board the train, Esme held tight to her grandmother's hand, and she was hesitant to let go. Baxter offered to assist Esme in getting up the stairs as she followed her grandmother. Esme and her grandmother were going to meet her father's family in Vancouver." her mother just passed, says Granny. I am taking her to her father's family in Vancouver"(Mayr 83). Baxter showed Esme the train engine room. His action portrays a significant characteristic of his, which is his compassion toward passengers. Allowing a passenger to go to the engine room would violate the company policy, which could have led to a demerit or termination of his job. "The little will get him fired" (Mayr 95). Baxter's relationship with Esme was a fruitful one; he was able to Educate and develop sincere communication. This communication proved positive when Esme even aspired to be a fellow porter. "I want to be a porter when I grow up, says Esme."(Mayr 110). Esme had begun to be comfortable around Baxter, and she even refused her grandmother's company for a moment. "clasping onto Baxter more tightly while batting away Granny's hand in stringy fervour."(Mayr 112). The little signs of resistance showed that Esme had become fond of Baxter, and his company was positive and beneficial. Baxter was able to

His discontentment with being a porter was considered contagious, and it would have been better than Baxter avoided him because of their friendship. Eugene and Baxter had a broken friendship, and Baxter still tried to be at peace with Eugene. The continuous acts of Baxter to fix their friendship strengthened Baxter’s relentless ability. "Baxter tips his hat Eugene, but irritation moults off Eugene in great slices" (Mayr 37). Eugene had a degree from Howard University, but Baxter was in the university for two years and left. This fact was one of the things that propelled Baxter to work so hard so he could gain money to complete his Education. Eugene was ashamed of not completing university and did not want to live with that regret. "Baxter does not tell any of them that he attended university for two years and then left" (Mayr 51). Baxter may not have been very close, but Baxter still cared about Eugene's whereabouts. Eugene was absent, and Baxter wondered if he was fired or had just not been present at the rabbit stew dinner. "Baxter takes a bite of gristle, chews. - What happened to Eugene? Was he fired? " (Mayr 96). Eugene's character is a mentor to Baxter and helps him understand the importance of expressing and standing up for oneself. For Example, when Eugene shares his views about the space story writers, he says, "Who cares? - Space -story writers are all lairs, cowards, and sissies anyway. Useless. Writers for