Time Of Proving Arimu Character Analysis

After reading the story, “Time of Proving,” by Tamora Pierce, Arimu shows integrity by doing what she believes in, even if what she does is against the laws and ways of her people. Others may say that until the end, Arimu didn’t cared about Sunflower, the bull man, but she only did what she did for the sake of proving that she is a leader. However, I do think that Arimu’s integrity does show throughout the story, but it shows even more when she has a hard decision to make. The story is about a girl, Arimu, who goes out to explore, so that she prove herself a leader to her people, if she wishes to someday lead her people. Around when Arimu was already through half of her Year of Proving, Arimu accounters a wounded Bull Man, named Sunflower.

One way that shows this is that in the middle of the story, Arimu goes up to Sunflower, gives him her flare flint and steel, and says, “I did not give full value for the sapphires in that pair of rings two days ago… this makes us even.” This is another example showing Arimu’s honesty, not just because Arimu wanted to make sure that Sunflower still trusts her. I think that Arimu started to show even more integrity by paying back what was needed to be paid at the time. Also, even before that part, Arimu had inspected the jewels. She also settled her pack “down at a distance, so he couldn’t grab it, and took out what she would need.” This shows that Arimu is a cautious girl and that she knows what she is

When Sunflower left, Arimu thought about a bunch of ‘if’s’. She tried to push these thoughts away, she then thought, “I have taught him all I can under the wind people’s laws, she thought angrily. He has nothing more to pay me… I owe him nothing.” Some people may think that Arimu is just being too prideful, but really, all she wants to do is to help more, but she can’t. Not under her people’s laws. But even so, her feelings overcome her and she thinks again, “What is a year of proving about is it proves I am a heartless person?” Arimu is thoughtful about this, and goes running to Sunflower, and asks him to teach her how to make good maps for her people and to follow her orders, and they continue on their travels, together. Now, you may think that Arimu is hard and proud, but she does have feelings, and she does care about others. Still, Arimu “... glared up at him, daring him to say anything that would make her ashamed of her softness.” I think that Arimu may want others to think that she is tougher than she really