He displays bravery in some situations:
* Leaving his family: At the start, he shows courage by leaving his comfortable life and his family to go sailing. This takes a significant amount of self-reliance and bravery.
* Facing the storm: When his boat capsizes, he demonstrates immense resilience and survival skills to stay alive and fight for his life.
* Living with Kensuke: Living in a remote, isolated island with a mysterious, solitary man like Kensuke requires courage and adaptability.
* Helping Kensuke: Michael takes the initiative to help Kensuke in difficult situations, showing bravery in facing dangers and challenges that come with it.
However, he also exhibits fear and hesitation at times:
* Facing his fear of the ocean: While he enjoys sailing, he also displays fear of the open ocean, particularly after his initial storm experience.
* Confronting Kensuke's anger: Michael initially avoids confronting Kensuke's anger and erratic behavior, demonstrating a level of caution and fear.
* Hesitation to leave: When the opportunity to leave the island arises, Michael initially hesitates because of his bond with Kensuke, indicating a fear of disrupting their relationship.
Overall, Michael's bravery is not a constant, but rather a fluctuating quality shaped by his experiences:
* He is brave in the face of immediate dangers, like the storm.
* He is less brave in the face of social and emotional challenges, like facing Kensuke's anger or leaving him.
* He grows in courage over time, particularly through his interactions with Kensuke.
Ultimately, Michael's character highlights the complex nature of bravery. It is not merely the absence of fear, but the ability to overcome fear and act despite it, which Michael demonstrates to varying degrees throughout the story.