what does the characterization suggest about the character of walter? and how does he contribute to the plot?

Walter comes from a very poor agricultural family. Although he has next to nothing and not enough food, there is a pride his family has that prevents borrowing or charity.

"Walter Cunningham’s face told everybody in the first grade he had hookworms. His absence of shoes told us how he got them. People caught hookworms going barefooted in barnyards and hog wallows. If Walter had owned any shoes he would have worn them the first day of school and then discarded them until mid-winter. He did have on a clean shirt and neatly mended overalls. "