Hector (Hec) Gosper Character Analysis

Hector is a young man in the settlement who is several years younger than George Abbot but older than Lachlan. Hec has a harelip, and the defect makes him self-conscious and particularly sensitive to being mocked or embarrassed. So when Gemmy steals a hammer away from Hec during his first day in the settlement—causing Hec to be laughed at by his peers—Hec forms a grudge against him that he holds onto for most of the story. Although Hec was once a friend and mentor to Lachlan, Lachlan’s closeness with Gemmy distances them from each other and creates a hostility that both boys dislike but cannot humble themselves to resolve. However, after spending time with Leona and George and the others at Mrs. Hutchence’s house, Hec begins to relax his hostility towards Lachlan and even sits with him in silent solidarity the day that Lachlan finds out Gemmy was attacked.