B. Language in use for analysis

Telling (speaking) name

the ability to describe complicated minds

weak, unsatisfactory character descriptions

an efficient means of characterisation

priggish notions of one’s class

standard trivialities of mediocre mind

anti-hero

to stress repeatedly

to contrast the personality of… with…

to put characters into unusual situations

to deepen the characters with symbolism

to use generalsations

to draw an obvious parallel between

to paint a moving portrait of

to present believable, engaging characters

to reveal deep personal significance in an everyday occurrence

Characters: realistic / complex / unromantic / ordinary / conceited / stilted / typical / true-to-life / plausible / transparent / opaque / non-psychological construction without inner depth / trans-psycholoical characters with superior insight / protagonist / antagonist / evil twin / stock character (stereotype) / reader surrogate / author surrogate / chosen one (Christ-figure)

C.The characters have distinct personalities, histories, values and motivations.

The dialogue is convincing and natural.

The language is appropriate to the characters.

The characters are larger than life.

The writer is one of the greatest exponents of the short-story form, with exceptional talent for portraying character sensitively and economically.

The author demonstrates a talent for illuminating secluded facets of the soul.

The characters have some room for moral choice.

We find a wide variety of social types.

There is something grotesque about each character.

This book presents a cast of fascinating characters and a mind-bending puzzle.

The writer is an observer of the mind rather than a recorder of the times.

Demerits are ruthlessly exposed.