1. ASManager2.zip Driver
2. j_interc.txt File Contents

j_interc.txt Driver File Contents (ASManager2.zip)

Name: <  >
Class: <  >
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Creating Character through Interaction

In these files you are learning about and practicing the use of six basic strategies for developing character. They are:

1) Description
2) Dialogue
3) Action
4) Reactions of other characters (Interaction)
5) Setting
6) Narrative

This file focuses on developing characters through interaction.

An author can develop a story character by setting up an interaction between characters. The way the two talk to one another, how they react verbally and physically, and how other characters in the story react to their interaction are all ways of establishing the nature of a story's characters.

In just a few paragraphs in Animal Farm, George Orwell provides us with good clues about the personalities of Mollie and Clover. Read the paragraphs below, and answer the questions following the paragraphs.

As winter drew on, Mollie became more and more troublesome. She was late for work every morning and excused herself by saying that she had overslept, and she complained of mysterious pains, although her appetite was excellent. On every kind of pretext she would run away from work and go to the drinking pool, where she would stand foolishly gazing at her own reflection in the water. But there were also rumors of something more serious. One day as Mollie strolled blithely into the yard, flirting her long tail and chewing at a stalk of hay, Clover took her aside.

"Mollie," she said, "I have something very serious to say to you. This morning I saw you looking over the hedge that divides Animal Farm from Foxwood. One of Mr. Pilkington's men was standing on the other side of the hedge. And -- I was a long way away, but I am almost certain I saw this -- he was talking to you and you were allowing him to stroke your nose. What does that mean Mollie?"

"He didn't! I wasn't! It isn't true!" cried Mollie, beginning to prance about and paw the ground.

"Mollie! Look me in the face. Do you give me your word of honour that that man was not stroking your nose?"

"It isn't true!" repeated Mollie, but she could not look Clover in the face, and the next moment she took to her heels and galloped away into the field.

A thought struck Clover. Without saying anything to the others, she went to Mollie's stall and turned over the straw with her hoof. Hidden under the straw was a little pile of lump sugar and several bunches of ribbon of different colors.

In the interaction between Mollie and Clover, you can detect the way in which the author has characterized them throughout the story. He has revealed key characteristics of their personalities.

Describe briefly the character of Mollie:

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Describe briefly the character of Clover:

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Name and save this file now. (Press ctrl+S, type a name for the file, and press enter.)

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Scroll back to the passage, and choose three examples which helped you determine the characters (personalities) of Mollie and Clover. These examples can be of either Mollie's or Clover's movements, body posture, or dialogue. Copy or type the three examples in the spaces below.

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Describe the following incident so that Bob appears as a boisterous, bragging, and offensive person. Use some or all of the techniques used by Orwell, such as dialogue, body movement and posture. You could also describe the reaction of onlookers.

Bob Stewart was hurrying home from school when he bumped into an elderly gentleman. As a result of the collision the man's groceries spilled all over the sidewalk.

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Describe the following incident so Bob appears as a kind and likable person. Use some or all of the techniques used by Orwell, such as dialogue, body movement and posture. You could also describe the reaction of onlookers.

Bob Stewart was hurrying home from school when he bumped into an elderly gentleman. As a result of the collision the man's groceries spilled all over the sidewalk.

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If you haven't done so already, name and save this file now. (Press ctrl+S, type a name for the file, and press enter.)

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end of activity
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