Question

Compare and contrast helen and myra from the day of the butterfly.

Answer 1

In this story, we encounter two girls: Myra and Helen.

Helen is the narrator of the story. She is a popular girl who is concerned about her reputation and popularity. Despite this, she is kind, and she learns to accept Myra for who she is, and even develops a friendship with her.

On the other hand, Myra is an extremely kind and selfless girl. She spends most of her time looking after her brother. However, she is different from other children. She is not popular, and is not well-accepted, and she finds it difficult to make friends. However, Myra is eventually able to befriend Helen. Towards the end, we learn that Myra has leukaemia, and would most likely not live for very long.

Answer 2

Helen is one of the most popular girls in the class. After the teacher suggests that the class plays with Myra, Helen feels reluctant to do so because she is afraid of what the other children would say. However, she talks to her, walks with her and her brother, and gives her a butterfly brooch from a snack she shares with her. So in spite of her reputation worries, in the end she becomes friends with dying Myra.

On the other hand, Myra is isolated from her class and often made fun of. She is protective of her younger brother Jimmy. Besides, when the class visit her at the hospital, she is generous enough to let Helen take one of the gifts.