Characterization in a narrative is how the author creates and describes a character. The character is introduced and then explained in detail throughout the story. The two ways an author can deliver this information to the audience is through direct and indirect characterization. Direct characterization is when the author is telling the readers information about the character and what he or she is like. Indirect characterization is when the author attempts to show what the character is like and give the reader information through the character’s actions and words. Through both direct and indirect characterization, we are able to understand some of the physical attributes of the character as well as their personality. People want to know why …show more content…
Jackson is introduced to us in the beginning and is developed as a character throughout the story. Applegate mostly uses indirect characterization to show the growth and development of Jackson. In the beginning of the story we are able to learn a lot about him as a person through the things that he says and does. One thing that we learn about him early on is that he deals with and takes on a lot of responsibilities for a kid. His family is going through financial problems and on top of that he often ends up being responsible for helping take care of his younger sister, Robin. Jackson is forced to do things like play games with their food to distract themselves from the very limited amount of food that they have and read Robin stories in the middle of the night when she cannot sleep. These are things that most boys going into the 5th grade do not have to worry about. On top of this he is trying to deal with his own personal issues like the confusion and craziness of seeing his old imaginary friend everywhere. When his family is preparing to sell most of their belongings, Jackson and Robin go through their stuff to pick out items for their “keepsakes”, which is just a few items that they really treasure. Jackson’s
Unlike character, characterization can be defined as methods an author uses to create the characters. Two examples an author can use are direct characterization where a character is directly described by the author, and indirect characterization where the character is revealed by their actions, reactions of other characters, thought, and speech. There are a few scenes in the play where the author directly describes a character. One example of major direct characterization comes from scene one in which Stanley is first introduced and described. Tennessee Williams writes, “Branching out from this complete and satisfying center are all the auxiliary channels of his life, such as his heartiness with men, his appreciation of rough humor, his love of good drink and food and games, his car, his radio, everything that is his emblem of the gaudy seed-bearer.” (Williams 84). His description of Stanley gives the reader a picture of how he acts and how he will act throughout the rest of the story. Much of the indirect characterization of the play can also be centered around the heated topic of sensuality. Blanche is an important character whose characterization heavily relies on her actions related to sensuality, and other’s reactions to her actions. “Blanche waltzes to the music with romantic gestures. Mitch is delighted and moves in awkward imitation like a dancing bear.” (Williams 97). This quote shows the relationship between Blanche and Mitch, a potential love interest, after she
To start off a direct characterization would be something the author directly states the literature. For example, “He was a jerkline skinner, the prince of the ranch” (Steinbeck 33). This is a direct characterization because Steinbeck is directly stating that he is the prince of the ranch. Slim is called the prince of the ranch because he is seen above the other ranch hands. And everyone goes and looks at him for the final say. Slim was this all-American type guy, he was suave, slick and he worked hard. An indirect characterization would be “we’ll have trouble keepin’ him from getting right in the box with them pups.” (Steinbeck 38). The author is not directly stating that slim is friendly and caring. The readers are using context clues
Indirect and direct characterization are both two techniques in literature that can describe a character in a novel. Indirect characterization is when the author of a novel does not directly describe a character, but leaves clues through their body language or what they speak to inform us what kind of character they are. Direct characterization is when the writer is direct, and right to the point about how a character acts, and looks like. An example of indirect characterization in the novel, Of Mice and Men is when Lennie speaks. The author, John Steinbeck does not establish that Lennie is slow, however, from his speech, the readers can most likely infer that he is. “Give ‘um to me George. I’ll take ‘um back. I didn’t mean no harm, George.
Indirect characterization is a literary device in which the author reveals information about the character indirectly through his/her thoughts, words, actions, and/or relationships with others. In The Secret Life of Bees,Sue Monk Kidd uses indirect characterization to reveal information about Lily Owens. Through Lily’s actions, thoughts, and words, the reader sees that she is a loyal friend, a young girl with independent thoughts, and a clever and intelligent person.
In the short story “Lamb to the Slaughter,” written by Roald Dahl, Dahl uses direct and indirect characterization to give us both realistic and improbable portrayals of characters, In addition to showing us the values and perspective of the characters. In this short story the author states, “This was her sixth month expecting a child.” (Dahl, 1). Direct characterization is when the author directly provides information on the personality or background on the character instead of indirectly revealing it through actions and speech. This quote obviously utilizes direct characterization by describing background information on Mary Maloney. Additionally, the fact that it was her sixth month expecting a child is direct characterization because we did not have to assume it through actions and speech, the author directly mentioned it in the first page. Not only does Dahl use direct characterization, but also indirect characterization. In the story the author states, “It’s probably right under our noses. What do you think Jack? And in the other room Mary Maloney began to laugh.” (Dahl 4). Indirect characterization is when the author reveals background and the personality of the character through thoughts and actions. In like manner, so does this quote. In this quote the author reveals the personality of Mary Maloney through her speech instead of directly giving us information. In this quote, Mary Maloney laughs at the death of her husband and we can assume that she is a cruel
Most authors when writing like to provide clues about the character for the reader to fill in the blanks called a direct characterization some authors tell the reader exactly what the character's personality is leaving nothing to the imagination which is called direct characterization some authors use both indirect and direct characterization Jack Finney who wrote contents of the Dead Man's Pocket uses direct characterization as well as a direct characterization in Contents of a Dead Man's Pocket Jack Finney uses direct characterization at the beginning of the story Finney writes he was a tall lean dark-haired young man a pullover sweater who looks as though he had played not football probably but basketball in college in other words finny
Indirect characterization is when you learn a character's attributes through speech and interactions; “Two years later, Ben would be sworn in himself, but watching his big brother now was the next best thing”(Asimov,226). Based on the quote, we learn that Ben looks up to his big brother, without the author telling us directly. In the short story “I Am..Am I”, Taylor also uses indirect characterization; “‘I thought you were having dinner with your wife.’ For once, she almost added”(Taylor,29). Through the conversation between Chambers and King, the author has portrayed King as an unthoughtful husband. Both of the authors chose to write this way to show the characters motivations and make the reader have empathy for the
Do you think that Andrew Jackson is on the $20 bill ? why or why not. Andrew Jackson was the 7th U.S president of America and for all the hard work he did he was put on the $20 bill and is the symbol of American currency.Plus he also is an american role model for all americans.Also before Andrew Jackson was put on the $20 bill he was a very tyrant like president because he had a conflict with lots of indian tribes and created an act that removed indains off their land it was better known as the Indian removal act.He also supported white males or the common man than supporting all races and genders.Andrew Jackson should be removed from the $20 bill because He only supported white males, He forced indians to move,And he also used the veto to veto the 2nd national bank.
Andrew Jackson strongly believed in preserving the union. Andrew Jackson stated that, “The union was formed for the benefit of all...Everyone must see that the other States, in self-defense, must oppose secession at all costs”. The nullifiers stated that if the federal government tried to use its strength against South Carolina, then the state would form its own independent government and retreat from the union.
As Jackson began to develop his policies he faced opposition from a few of his original coalition and southern planters centered in South Carolina. They were scared that the egalitarianism of Jackson’s presidency might threaten their rights—such as those to the institution of slavery—if non-slaveholders protested too much. Additionally, they worried that Jackson wouldn’t sufficiently protect their interests. These fears led to Jackson’s annihilation threats to federal authority and the 1832-1833 nullification crisis. Increased southern opposition of Jacksonian Democracy stemmed among wealthy plantation owners during the 1830s after the panic of 1837. In the rest of the country, Jackson’s continued campaigns against the paper money system outraged more conservative men who opposed changing the entire economic
When Jackson was President, he acted more like a King. A King is a man who holds by life tenure, and usually by heredity right, the chief authority over a country and people. The spoil system, Removal of deposits, and ignored major problems are some issues when Jackson acted like an King.
4.Through direct characterization we see Randy become heroic and strong, mentally and physically. Through indirect characterization, we see Randy become very sympathetic and caring. For example, we see Randy care more for others than himself.
The low point of the story occurs when Jackson goes to a bar and buys everyone there shots of whiskey with the money he won from the scratch off ticket; he doesn’t know the people at the bar but says that “Indians like to belong, so we all pretended to be cousins” (Alexie). It is at this moment that Jackson hits bottom and it appears that he is not going to complete his quest. He is now at the stage of the Hero’s Journey where he “must survive a succession of trials” (Campbell 81) and “undertake for himself the perilous journey into the darkness by descending intentionally or unintentionally, into the crooked lanes of his own spiritual labyrinth” (84). It seems almost as if Jackson cannot control himself, is he a victim of circumstance or
Jackson’s self worth changes throughout the story and he beings with the feelings of content with his personal situation and quest to find his grandmother’s regalia. Jackson also starts showing changes to that of being a very hard driven working man.
Direct characterization is when the writer states what the characteristics of the character are. Meanwhile, indirect characterization is when the writer shows the characters characterization through their actions. Although, not everyone has the same perspective. “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker is a short story that reveals how different perspectives can be misleading. Portrayed as a realistic fiction, many readers can relate to this short story due its difference between perspectives. A story in which two sisters and a mother find themselves living in poverty. Mrs. Johnson gives the reader her perspective on her daughters. Maggie is insecure and shy meanwhile Dee is spoiled and ashamed of her culture. Maggie will continue to live with her mother and Dee has decided to get an education and returns home with a boyfriend. After their reunion, they have a conflict deciding who should keep their family heirloom. “Everyday Use” shows that heritage and culture are concepts that often people view and represent differently, throughout the story Mrs. Johnson, Maggie and Dee will show through their direct and indirect characterizations how different personalities can interact with their perspectives.