Character
Characters are a crucial component of a short story, as they are what drive the plot. The conflict of the story arises from a character being given a problem that they must overcome. All characters can be divided into two classifications based on their development:
Flat Characters
These characters don't change throughout the story and are
not fully developed. Their main purpose is to support or drive
the plot in some way.
These characters don't change throughout the story and are
not fully developed. Their main purpose is to support or drive
the plot in some way.
Characters in short stories can also be classified as the following:
Source: Pculter
|
Stereotypical Characters
These characters are found in many stories and are easily recognizable, therefore their personality is already known and they don't need to be described in great detail.. Ex. the wise old man, the mad scientist, the nerd, etc. The Breakfast Club is a great movie that speaks about typical character stereotypes. They are the criminal, the athlete, the brain, the princess and the basket case. |
Characters in "The Shining Houses"
When analyzing characters, look at what they say, think and do as well as what others say about them. Also discuss their physical appearance, their character type and what motivates the character to do the things they do. By looking at all of these aspects you will be able to draw a picture of what the character is actually like.
Mary
Mary is a dynamic character and the protagonist of this story. She is a young mother who has just moved into the new subdivision with her husband. She is a very loving, understanding person and enjoys spending time with Mrs. Fullerton. Unlike her neighbours, she is not bothered by Mrs. Fullerton's lifestyle and the appearance of her house. |
Mrs. Fullerton
"Mrs. Fullerton was old, as she had said - older than you might think, seeing her hair still fuzzy and black, her clothes slatternly-gay, dime-store brooches pinned to her raveling sweater. Her eyes showed it, black as plums, with a soft inanimate sheen; things sank into them and they never changed. The life in her face was all in the nose and mouth, which were always twitching, fluttering, drawing tight grimace-lines down her cheeks. When she came around every Friday on her egg deliveries her hair was curled, her blouse held together by a bunch of cotton flowers, her mouth painted, a spidery and ferocious line of red; she would not show herself to her new neighbours in any sad old-womanish disarray. (Munro p.64)" Mrs. Fullerton is a flat character. Although we get to know her, she does not change throughout the story. The purpose of her character is to offer a contrast between traditional and modern ways of life.
|
The Neighbours
These characters are family's that have just moved into the new subdivision and represent the changes in society. The group of neighbours are flat characters, as they are described in little detail and do not change throughout the story. They can also be seen as the antagonist of this story since their opinions and world views are what Mary is fighting against. They are the stereotypical "people who win"; they are strong, opinionated, powerful and always get what they want. |
Conflict
Conflicts are the problems that characters are faced with and must overcome. Short stories tend to focus on one conflict, but they can have more.
There are two types of conflict:
Internal Conflict - person vs. self
External Conflict - person vs. nature, person vs. society, person vs. time, person vs. supernatural, etc.
Here are the conflicts in "The Shining Houses" by Alice Munro
There are two types of conflict:
Internal Conflict - person vs. self
External Conflict - person vs. nature, person vs. society, person vs. time, person vs. supernatural, etc.
Here are the conflicts in "The Shining Houses" by Alice Munro
Person vs. Self
|
Throughout the story, Mary is caught between the traditional way of life led by Mrs. Fullerton and the modern society represented by her neighbours. She struggles with her own thoughts and morals, questioning whether her neighbours views are right, and tries to avoid the subject rather than face it. She struggles to figure out what she believes to be right.
"Her neighbours' conversation, otherwise not troubling, might at any moment snag itself on this subject and eddy menacingly in familiar circles of complaint, causing her to look despairingly out of windows, or down into her lap, trying to find some wonderful explanatory word that to bring it to a stop; she did not succeed. (Munro p.68)" |
Person vs. Society |
This story shows the changes taken on by society. Mary struggles with these changes and the opinions of her neighbours. When the neighbours try to peer pressure her into signing a petition to get rid of Mrs. Fullerton's house, she is forced to question her own morals. Mary chooses to stand up for Mrs. Fullerton, but the power of their opinions and views are too strong, and her argument falls short "But she had no argument. She could try all night and never find any words to stand up to their words, which came at her now invincibly from all sides: shack, eyesore, filth, property, value. (Munro p.70)" Although she tried her best, she couldn't change their mind; the power of their society was too strong.
"But these are people who win, ... There is nothing you can do at present but put your hands in your pockets and keep a disaffected heart." |