"Ellis's understanding of himself and the world around him certainly develops because of his adventures, and part of that development comes through recognizing other people for what they are"

In this quote, Margaret Mahy is describing the character Ellis from her novel. Through his adventures, Ellis has the ability to acquire a better understanding of himself and the world around him. This advancement is because of his ability to acknowledge other people for who they are, instead of what he anticipates them to be. By doing this, Ellis is able to gain a better understanding of himself and the world around him. He has the ability to see the world in a various light and get a much better appreciation for the people around him. This newly found understanding of himself and the world around him enables Ellis to grow and develop as a person. He is able to acquire a better understanding of himself and the world around him, which in turn allows him to become a better individual.