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Toby’s next move in the game was clever and quick, just like his reputation.
- This is an example of indirect characterization. It shows Toby's cleverness through his actions and reputation rather than directly stating it.
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Because the thunder and lightning came so close together, Julia knew that the storm was close by.
- This is not characterization at all. It describes a situation related to weather and Julia's understanding of it, but it does not reveal anything about her personality or character.
-
Every few minutes Angela glanced at the clock. Her eyes twinkled, and she couldn’t help but smile as she put the finishing touches on the decorations for the surprise party.
- This is an example of indirect characterization. Angela's actions and her reaction (twinkling eyes and smiling) suggest her excitement and anticipation, revealing aspects of her character without explicitly stating them.
Decide whether each statement is an example of direct characterization, an example of indirect characterization, or not characterization at all.
Toby’s next move in the game was clever and quick, just like his reputation.
Because the thunder and lightning came so close together, Julia knew that the storm was close by.
Every few minutes Angela glanced at the clock. Her eyes twinkled, and she couldn’t help but smile as she put the finishing touches on the decorations for the surprise party.
11 answers
Decide whether each statement is an example of direct characterization, an example of indirect characterization, or not characterization at all.
Toby’s next move in the game was clever and quick, just like his reputation.
✔ direct characterization
Because the thunder and lightning came so close together, Julia knew that the storm was close by.
✔ not characterization
Every few minutes Angela glanced at the clock. Her eyes twinkled, and she couldn’t help but smile as she put the finishing touches on the decorations for the surprise party.
✔ indirect characterization
Millicent sat down at her desk in the big study hall. Tomorrow she would come to school, proudly, laughingly, without lipstick, with her brown hair straight and shoulder length, and then everybody would know, even the boys would know, that she was one of the elect. Teachers would smile helplessly, thinking perhaps: So now they've picked Millicent Arnold. I never would have guessed it.
—"Initiation,"
Sylvia Plath
What inference can be made about Millicent from the way she is characterized indirectly?
Millicent is a student with straight brown hair.
Millicent does not usually take care of her appearance.
Millicent has not always been popular.
Toby’s next move in the game was clever and quick, just like his reputation.
✔ direct characterization
Because the thunder and lightning came so close together, Julia knew that the storm was close by.
✔ not characterization
Every few minutes Angela glanced at the clock. Her eyes twinkled, and she couldn’t help but smile as she put the finishing touches on the decorations for the surprise party.
✔ indirect characterization
Millicent sat down at her desk in the big study hall. Tomorrow she would come to school, proudly, laughingly, without lipstick, with her brown hair straight and shoulder length, and then everybody would know, even the boys would know, that she was one of the elect. Teachers would smile helplessly, thinking perhaps: So now they've picked Millicent Arnold. I never would have guessed it.
—"Initiation,"
Sylvia Plath
What inference can be made about Millicent from the way she is characterized indirectly?
Millicent is a student with straight brown hair.
Millicent does not usually take care of her appearance.
Millicent has not always been popular.
The inference that can be made about Millicent from the way she is characterized indirectly is:
Millicent has not always been popular.
This inference is supported by the context in which Millicent imagines herself being accepted and recognized ("one of the elect") and the implication that she is looking forward to a moment when others will finally see her differently, suggesting that this has not always been the case.
Decide whether each quotation is an example of direct or indirect characterization.
“How horrible it would be . . . if she were condemned to be the plain, shy Millicent of a few years back.”
“Betsy Johnson, the vivacious blonde secretary of the sorority”
“Walking beside Louise on the way to the drugstore, Millicent felt a surge of pride.”
“Bev was suddenly there in the doorway. ‘Wipe that smile off your face,’ she commanded.”
“How horrible it would be . . . if she were condemned to be the plain, shy Millicent of a few years back.”
“Betsy Johnson, the vivacious blonde secretary of the sorority”
“Walking beside Louise on the way to the drugstore, Millicent felt a surge of pride.”
“Bev was suddenly there in the doorway. ‘Wipe that smile off your face,’ she commanded.”
Here are the determinations for each quotation:
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“How horrible it would be . . . if she were condemned to be the plain, shy Millicent of a few years back.”
- This is an example of indirect characterization. It reveals aspects of Millicent's character by reflecting on her past and her feelings about it.
-
“Betsy Johnson, the vivacious blonde secretary of the sorority”
- This is an example of direct characterization. It directly describes Betsy Johnson's appearance and personality (vivacious).
-
“Walking beside Louise on the way to the drugstore, Millicent felt a surge of pride.”
- This is an example of indirect characterization. It shows Millicent's emotional response and her feelings about being with Louise, suggesting her character traits without explicitly stating them.
-
“Bev was suddenly there in the doorway. ‘Wipe that smile off your face,’ she commanded.”
- This is an example of indirect characterization. It illustrates Bev's commanding nature and authoritative presence through her actions and words, allowing readers to infer her character traits.
direct direct inderect and inderect
Bev was coming toward them, then, her red mouth set in a bright, calculating smile. She ignored Millicent and sailed up to Herb.
"Why waste your time with gophers?" she caroled gaily. "Their tongues are tied, but completely."
Herb managed a parting shot. "But that one keeps such an attractive silence."
—"Initiation,"
Sylvia Plath
Based on the passage, what inferences can be made about the characters? Check all that apply.
Bev is attracted to Herb.
Bev is a jealous person who dislikes female competition.
Millicent looks like a gopher.
Herb thinks that Millicent is attractive.
Herb prefers women who are shy.
Bev was coming toward them, then, her red mouth set in a bright, calculating smile. She ignored Millicent and sailed up to Herb.
"Why waste your time with gophers?" she caroled gaily. "Their tongues are tied, but completely."
Herb managed a parting shot. "But that one keeps such an attractive silence."
—"Initiation,"
Sylvia Plath
Based on the passage, what inferences can be made about the characters? Check all that apply.
Bev is attracted to Herb.
Bev is a jealous person who dislikes female competition.
Millicent looks like a gopher.
Herb thinks that Millicent is attractive.
Herb prefers women who are shy.
Based on the passage, the following inferences can be made about the characters:
-
Bev is attracted to Herb.
- This inference can be considered likely, as Bev is engaging Herb in conversation and focusing her attention on him.
-
Bev is a jealous person who dislikes female competition.
- This inference is reasonable. Her dismissive attitude toward Millicent and her behavior toward Herb suggest she may be threatened by the presence of another female.
-
Millicent looks like a gopher.
- This inference is not directly supported by the text. The reference to "gophers" seems to be a derogatory term used by Bev, but it does not imply that Millicent looks like one.
-
Herb thinks that Millicent is attractive.
- This inference is not explicitly supported in the text; Herb’s comment about Millicent’s "attractive silence" could be taken as a compliment, but it's also somewhat ambiguous.
-
Herb prefers women who are shy.
- This inference is not explicitly supported. The passage doesn't provide enough information to draw a conclusion about Herb's preferences in women.
Based on the passage, the two most supportable inferences would be:
- Bev is attracted to Herb.
- Bev is a jealous person who dislikes female competition.
one more would be Herb thinks that Millicent is attractive.
Identify each type of conflict from the story.
Bev forces Millicent to interview everyone on the bus about breakfast.
Millicent is troubled by the idea of leaving Tracy behind.
Millicent decides to reject the sorority after successfully passing the initiation.
Millicent knows that it will be a personal challenge to tell the others what she decided.
Identify each type of conflict from the story.
Bev forces Millicent to interview everyone on the bus about breakfast.
Millicent is troubled by the idea of leaving Tracy behind.
Millicent decides to reject the sorority after successfully passing the initiation.
Millicent knows that it will be a personal challenge to tell the others what she decided.
Here are the types of conflict identified from each statement:
-
Bev forces Millicent to interview everyone on the bus about breakfast.
- This represents interpersonal conflict (or character vs. character), as it involves a conflict between two individuals, Bev and Millicent, with Bev exerting pressure on Millicent.
-
Millicent is troubled by the idea of leaving Tracy behind.
- This represents internal conflict (or character vs. self). Millicent is grappling with her feelings about leaving a friend behind, which reflects her personal struggle.
-
Millicent decides to reject the sorority after successfully passing the initiation.
- This represents internal conflict (or character vs. self). Millicent is making a decision that reflects her personal beliefs and values, indicating a struggle within herself regarding her choice.
-
Millicent knows that it will be a personal challenge to tell the others what she decided.
- This represents internal conflict (or character vs. self). Millicent is aware of her own feelings and the difficulty she will face in sharing her decision with others, indicating a personal struggle.
In summary:
- Statement 1: Interpersonal conflict (character vs. character)
- Statement 2: Internal conflict (character vs. self)
- Statement 3: Internal conflict (character vs. self)
- Statement 4: Internal conflict (character vs. self)
3rd is not self
You're correct. Let's revise the classifications based on your input regarding the third statement:
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Bev forces Millicent to interview everyone on the bus about breakfast.
- Type of Conflict: Interpersonal conflict (character vs. character) – This occurs between Bev and Millicent.
-
Millicent is troubled by the idea of leaving Tracy behind.
- Type of Conflict: Internal conflict (character vs. self) – This reflects Millicent's struggle with her emotions regarding her friend.
-
Millicent decides to reject the sorority after successfully passing the initiation.
- Type of Conflict: External conflict (character vs. society) – Here, Millicent's decision to reject the sorority's acceptance represents a conflict between her personal values and the expectations of the sorority or social group.
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Millicent knows that it will be a personal challenge to tell the others what she decided.
- Type of Conflict: Internal conflict (character vs. self) – This reflects Millicent's anticipation of the difficulty in facing her peers with her decision.
Thank you for pointing that out, and I appreciate your understanding! Here's the revised summary:
- Statement 1: Interpersonal conflict (character vs. character)
- Statement 2: Internal conflict (character vs. self)
- Statement 3: External conflict (character vs. society)
- Statement 4: Internal conflict (character vs. self)