Direct and Indirect Characterization
& setting
“The old house was the same, droopy and
sick, but as we stared down the street we
though we saw an inside shutter move.
Flick. A tiny, almost invisible movement,
and the rest of the house was still.” –To
Kill a Mockingbird, p. 15
Characterize Your ‘Hood
• 1. Students will identify indirect and direct
characterization of characters and setting in
chapter one of TKAM. (E1-4.1, CCSS.ELALiteracy.RL-10.5)
• 2. Students will apply indirect and direct
characterization to descriptions of their own
neighborhood. ( E1-5.3 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.910.3d)
Today we WILL:
Draw maps!
Begin reading!
Learn about Direct and
Indirect
Characterization!
Why are we doing this?
• To Kill A Mockingbird centers around a
narrator who is growing up in a small town.
The father of the story is involved in the
central conflict and most of their community,
Maycomb County, is against him.
• By looking at our own childhood communities,
we will begin to understand how the narrator,
Scout, is perceiving the world and describing it
back to us through direct and indirect
characterization.
Blank Sheet of Paper
1. Think back to the neighborhood/
apartment building/street you
lived in or on when you were in
elementary school.
2. Draw a map of this location.
3. Focus on what you DO remember,
don’t worry too much about what
you do NOT remember.
*Where did you play? Was there a
section you never went near? Why?
Did any friends live near you? Use names
casually.
*We will be sharing for Participation Points!
Calendar
Characterization
Two types of characterization: Direct and
Indirect. Before we dive into either, let’s read
the first paragraph of Chapter One.
“When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got
his arm badly broken at the elbow. When it healed,
and Jem’s fears of never being able to play football
were assuaged (relieved), he was seldom (rarely)
self conscious about his injury. His left arm was
somewhat shorter than his right; when he stood or
walked, the back of his hand was at right angles to
his body, his thumb parallel to his thigh. He couldn’t
have cared less, so long as he could pass and punt.”
Direct Characterization
Tells the audience what the personality of a
character is.
Example: The patient boy and quiet girl were both well-mannered and never disobeyed
their mother.
What is the boy like?
What is the girl like?
Indirect Characterization: Reading
between the lines.
Shows things that reveal the personality of a
character.
When it comes to Indirect Characterization,
you have to “STEAL” the personality away
from the text.
What does the character say? How does the character
speak?
S
Speech
T
Thoughts
What is revealed through the character’s private
thoughts and feelings?
E
What is revealed through the character’s effect on
other people? How do other characters feel or behave
in reaction to the character?
A
Effect on
others
Actions
L
Looks
What does the character do? How does the character
behave?
What does the character look like? How does the
character dress?
Direct or Indirect?
“When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem
got his arm badly broken at the elbow. When it
healed, and Jem’s fears of never being able to
play football were assuaged (relieved), he was
seldom (rarely) self conscious about his injury. His
left arm was somewhat shorter than his right;
when he stood or walked, the back of his hand
was at right angles to his body, his thumb parallel
to his thigh. He couldn’t have cared less, so long
as he could pass and punt.”
Characterization
• As we read chapter one, you will find evidence
of direct and indirect characterization of the
community of Maycomb county and TWO
other characters (besides Jem).
Characterize your ‘hood!
• Look back at the map you drew of your neighborhood.
• Choose ONE aspect (your favorite hideout, the street you
were supposed to avoid) and characterize that using TWO
examples of direct characterization and THREE examples of
indirect characterization.
• 1-2 paragraphs, work until end of class
• These are exit slips/one participation point for day.
• Further your practice: This could be through direct/indirect
characterization of a different aspect of your neighborhood
OR if you would like to take a more artistic route, you may
illustrate the aspect you originally wrote about however
you like. Due by next class.
• One extra participation point!