Character Development

Having finished the entirety of “The Caves of Steel”, I would like to continue asserting that Baley has a clearly defined arc in this book. While there are several scenes and quotes that I found supporting this, there is one in particular I would like to address. At the end of the novel, Baley says, “I didn’t think I would ever say anything like this to anyone like you, Daneel, but I trust you. I even—admire you. I’m too old ever to leave Earth myself, but when schools for emigrants are finally established, there’s Bentley. If someday, perhaps, Bentley and you, together …” In this passage he is essentially expressing that he has developed a strong relationship with Daneel, possibly even a legitimate friendship. He even leaves off the “R” when calling Daneel by name here, while he very pointedly used it earlier in the novel. While I will admit that he still presents a fairly gruff attitude here, I feel like that’s supposed to just be his personality, not a character flaw. He retains this grim manner throughout the novel, but when it comes to how Baley views robots, Spacers, and the world around him in general, I think it’s very inaccurate to say he doesn’t develop as a character.