Blossoms of Wisdom

Question

In a quaint little village nestled among rolling hills, there lived an elderly woman named Mrs. Smith. With her stooped frame and silver hair, she appeared fragile, but her eyes held a spark of wisdom and determination that belied her age. Every morning, she could be found tending to her lush garden, nurturing vibrant blooms that mirrored her own vitality.



One day, as young Tommy wandered past her garden, he accidentally trampled a bed of delicate tulips. Tears welled up in his eyes as he awaited Mrs. Smith's reaction. Instead of scolding him, she knelt beside him and whispered stories of how she, too, had once been a curious child. Her compassionate nature and willingness to share her life experiences left a lasting impression on Tommy, forever associating Mrs. Smith with kindness and resilience.

Highlight the adjectives and nouns that directly characterise Mrs Smith



How does the author indirectly characterise Mrs Smith through showing, not telling (descriptions of appearance/actions/behaviour)?




How does the author's use of characterisation make an entertaining short story?

Answer 1

Adjectives: elderly, fragile, vibrant, curious, compassionate, kind, resilient
Nouns: woman, frame, hair, eyes, wisdom, determination, garden, blooms, tulips, nature, stories, impression

The author indirectly characterizes Mrs. Smith through descriptions of her appearance and actions. Her stooped frame and silver hair show her age, while her eyes hold a spark of wisdom and determination. The fact that she tends to her lush garden and nurtures vibrant blooms mirrors her own vitality. Additionally, her compassionate nature is shown through her reaction to Tommy trampling her tulips, as she chooses to comfort him with stories rather than scolding him.

The author's use of characterization makes the story entertaining by creating a relatable and endearing character in Mrs. Smith. Readers can easily imagine her as a kind and resilient elderly woman, and her actions and words evoke empathy and admiration. This adds depth and interest to the story, as readers become invested in Mrs. Smith's interactions with Tommy and appreciate the life lessons she imparts.