Character Notes
Mrs. Simpson- English 12
What do we say about character?
This question often appears on your final exam “Discuss the
character of ________ in the short story.”
don’t be afraid of using the word complex or complicated to
describe a character -- it’s a compliment.
focus on character traits NOT physical description
be mindful of vocab when doing this
find quotations which illustrate the characteristics you’ve stated
(prove it!), but do it concisely
terminology (flat, static, etc). Know them but know that
terminology, by itself, is not a mark of an insightful mind.
once you have isolated a few character traits, begin to do some
interpretation
for example ask yourself: “Does this suggest the character is
ironic, typical, atypical?” “Does it remind you of other
characters in the novel or in fiction?” “Does it provide a
contrast to another character?” “Does it serve to make the
character rich and complex or flat and one-sided?” “Are
stereotypes followed or destroyed?”
Homework/ Groupwork
Go back to the first two chapters and try to isolate a few
character traits for Susie Salmon. Give quotations which
illustrate your suggestions.
Write a single sentence which describes Susie.
Susie, although wanting to act beyond her years by being literary
and intelligent, is a naïve young 14 year old.
Susie’s innocence and naïvete are a reflection of the setting, the
70’s, which was a decade marked by a relative innocence in the
typical north american family.