The narrator in The Half Brothers is spoilt like Edmund and considers himself to be far better than his half brother as this is what he has been brought up to believe. He says ‘[He] sometimes repeated the disparaging words [he] heard others use with regard to him, without fully understanding their meaning.’ The narrator copies the adults around him and is easily influenced by their ways and this contributes to the unhappiness of his half brother. The narrator does show remorse for the death of Gregory, especially as he realises Gregory gives up his life for him and finally refers to him as ‘Poor fellow.’ William Preston, the father of the half brothers also shows remorse for Gregory’s death, he requests to be buried at the foot of his wife and Gregory’s grave in his death. This shows his self realisation about how badly he treated Gregory and that he deeply regrets this. Mr Hooper however does not display and regret or realisation of his part in the death of Kingshaw, he is oblivious to his part in the suicide. William had taught his son to be mean towards Gregory, and this is reflected in William’s actions – the mistreatment of Gregory’s dog and of his Gregory was often blamed on others. In the same way, Joseph Hooper tries to shift the blame of him being responsible for his son’s lack of love onto others, like his first wife and compares Edmund to her ‘he has the same way of not bothering to explain and of making secrets.’ Mr Hooper confirms his son is not warm and affectionate.
Helena Kingshaw’s role helps explain why her son is insecure and unhappy. She is very unaware of how Kingshaw is being treated so Kingshaw withdraws into his isolation, how he ‘copes alone’ as he has nobody to console him. Despite the events in the novel, she does not have the insight to see her own child’s problems and only sees ways of solving her own. Kingshaw withdraws into his isolation because he has nobody to turn to and so his suicide comes into the story. A flashback in the text shows Kingshaw has been bullied before and so he is weakened to be the subject of Hooper’s bullying and both adults fail to see the nasty relationship developing, they only see what they want and consequently see the boys as ‘special friends’. Kingshaw is compassionate and innocent and even comforts Hooper in the storm even though he was foully behaved towards Kingshaw. Kingshaw is able to cope on his own, and shows this by trying to escape to woods, Edmund is not so capable and completely relies on adults, he could be jealous of Kingshaw’s independence. This could be a cause of the bullying; Kingshaw might be so independent because he has had less attention from adults, especially from his mother. Edmund is able to spot weaknesses in his victims, and Kingshaw’s lack of attention is a weakness.
Gregory has had deep love from his mother from before the birth of his half brother. This love from his mother is the reason he is so badly treated by others in his home. His step father and Half Brother are jealous of the love Gregory shared with his mother; this jealousy drives them to the insensitive treatment of Gregory throughout his life. However, Gregory dies because of the love he received from his mother, he felt he had to relay to his half brother. His compassion saved the life of his persecutor, Kingshaw’s life ended because of his persecutor, there was no compassion shown by Edmund. Gregory was not disheartened by the neglect from his mother’s sister, Aunt Fanny. She ignores Gregory and is insulting of him ‘Stupid, Aunt Fanny used to call it.’ Yet Gregory shows no resentment ‘and would try to do a kind turn for anyone’ his mistreatment by all the people close to his mother and he still gives his life to his half brother because of the love of his dead mother. Gregory speaks to his brother as he comforts him in the snow ‘I reckon she sees us now, and belike we shall soon be with her.’ However it is too late for his half brother or step father to know why he gives his life.
For both boys who lose their lives, they have stirred feelings with their deaths. Kingshaw’s death makes the adults seem very self absorbed and keen to comfort the persecutor who shows no remorse, like the adults, even Kingshaw’s own mother. Gregory’s death provokes remorse and guilt in his stepfather and half brother. Kingshaw’s death was because he lacked love, his mother was shallow and blind to her sons feelings. Gregory’s death was because his mother loved him so dearly, he showed compassion for his half brother, and was compelled to give his life.