Indirect characterization

Indirect characterization, although perhaps more difficult than the direct, is also, when skilfully used, more effective. One may learn something of a character from direct statements about him; one judges far more by inference from his speech and his actions. One compares him with other men, notices the attitude he inspires in them, watches his dealings with them, listens to what he says to them. The indirect is thus the illustrative method; it is the expression of fact by concrete examples. Its manner is narrative. Instead of benumbing his imagination, it encourages the reader to form his own estimate of a character. A policeman may be said to be a typical "guardian of the peace," but he is more accurately characterized by his act in turning over a criminal, his one-time friend, to jus¬tice. It may be said that a woman is a model housekeeper. One prefers, however, to watch her at work in her house. The act is more convincing than the fact statement.
It is nearly always true, however, that in the Short-story both methods are used, the one to supplement the other. One may tell of the play of a man's emotions or of his dominant motive, and then illustrate them in speech and action. One may say that Mrs. Knollys was hopeful and then show her exemplifying this hopefulness through many years of waiting. One may call John Oak¬hurst a gambler, calm and clear-headed, then show him standing erect while the other outcasts are under the influence of liquor, or, after the theft of the mules, refusing to waken the sleepers. "The big, simple-hearted guides" express their sympathy for Mrs. Knollys by their willingness, in a pretended attempt to find her Charles, to descend into the crevasse. There may thus be a proposition and its demonstration. The indirect method may extend _.-even to the direct, for even from a direct statement one may draw inferences. External characteristics, thus, may not simply assist vividness of visualiza¬tion; they may contribute also to the expression of the intimate personality of a character. By har¬monizing external characteristics and character, an inference from a direct, may be made to parallel an inference from an indirect, statement. Charac¬terization may thus gain additional strength.
Category:Character