Character Clues

Character Analysis

Direct Characterization

In the book, characters are often described in a straightforward, matter-of-fact way. For example, the book describes Melanie as being friendly and welcoming. And guess what: she's pretty friendly and welcoming. Go figure.

Meeting people had always been easy for Melanie. Most people she liked right away, and they usually seemed to feel the same way about her. (3.3)

Can't get much clearer than that. The narrator also describes Marshall as quiet and mature for his age, which is—you guessed it—another accurate description. We can really rely on the narrator to tell us what's up when it comes to the characters and what their personalities are like. And that's one less thing to worry about.

Actions

Clear description is nice, but here's a secret: the actions of the characters matter a lot too when it comes to figuring out what kind of people they really are.

For example, even though many kids in the neighborhood are afraid of the Professor because they don't know anything about him, his actions prove him to be a good man. After all, he's the guy who breaks a window and calls for help when he sees April being attacked—and he lets all the kids play in his yard. That isn't exactly something an evil villain would do.