Monday, April 23, 2012

The Great Gatsby - Characterization

"The sister, Catherine, was a slender, worldly girl of about thirty, with a solid, sticky bob of red hair, and a complexion powdered milky white." (pg. 30)

This quote is an example of direct characterization.  The author designed the characterization of this character, as well as several others in chapter two, to be directly told to the reader.  Direct characterization d the reader from making assumptions because the author plainly tells the reader what the character is like.  Personally, I like direct characterization more than indirect characterization because the reader knows it is a fact rather than playing off of other characters' thoughts.  Specifically in this quote, Catherine's looks are described.  I imagine her being a skinny ginger around the age of thirty.  I wish some of her personal qualities were described though.  In this chapter, Mr. McKee and Myrtle Wilson were also described with direct characterization.

1 comment:

  1. I think direct characterization is actually more when the author says someone is kind, or stupid, or prone to anger. This is more of a physical description. I think you kind of realize this though because you mentioned that you wish some of her personal qualities had been described more. The quote directly characterizes her a bit though because it does mention that she's worldly.

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