Character Clues

Character Analysis

Occupation

What do you want to be when you grow up? Chances are, you've been asked that more than once in your life. We'll let you in on a little secret: Most of the time in life, it doesn't really matter what job you have, so long as you're happy with it. That is, unless you're a character in Shooting the Moon. Occupations are a big deal in the book because they tell us a lot about what type of person someone is.

Take Jamie's dad. She tells us: "The Colonel was the chief of staff, which meant for all intents and purposes he ran the show" (2.1). No truer words could sum up the guy. It's not just that he's in charge at work; he's the boss wherever he goes. It's just part of who he is. His job might be something that pays the bills, but it also tells us what kind of dude he is.

Direct Characterization

Sometimes, authors don't bother talking to us in code, and instead they tell it to us straight. That's what happens in Shooting the Moon when we're told exactly what makes someone tick. The best example comes to us about Jamie's dad, who is described like this:

The Colonel was born to run the show, and he had a drawer full of medals and ribbons to prove it. One of his medals was for saving another soldier's life out in the field. (2.2)

Without further ado, we get a real sense of who this guy is. He's a strong, courageous fella who loves to be in charge. This, dear Shmoopers, is what we like to call "direct characterization." There's no beating around the bush about who this person is. Instead, we're told in a direct way, no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

Food

Here at Shmoop, we love all kinds of food. Sushi? Yum. Chocolate cake? Delish. Hamburgers with grilled onions and a side of fries? To die for. Okay, now we're just getting hungry. The point is that food is a big deal in the book, and it's not just because our stomachs are growling. It helps us understand characters a little better. Did you notice that Jamie's family is always eating dinner together? Check out how she describes it:

We were eating dinner, my mother's famous squash casserole, the Colonel's favorite, and I could tell I was wearing him thin with my comments and questions. The Colonel liked to be able to savor his food, especially when it came to cheesy casseroles covered with buttered breadcrumbs toasted to a golden brown. (4.31)

Jamie's mom is always making comfort food like casseroles, which tells us that she's a homey type of person. That the Colonel wants to "savor his food" lets us know that while he means business pretty much always, he's still capable of enjoying things, too. It hints at a softness to him that he doesn't show much. As for Jamie's family, since they dine together regularly, we know they're generally connected to each other. This isn't a family that never spends time together.