Inferring Major Traits and Character Interaction Review

Define direct characterization.

• The process of describing the character through that character's speech, thoughts, or actions.

• The process that requires the reader to make inferences from the text.

• A method of describing the character-in a straightforward manner-from the text.

• A method of indicating what a character is like through STEAL.

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Which type of characterization SHOWS readers information through STEAL?

• direct characterization

• indirect characterization

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CCSS.RL.11-12.3

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Is the following excerpt from "The Most Dangerous Game" an example of direct characterization or indirect characterization?

“The first thing Rainsford’s eyes discerned was the largest man Rainsford had ever seen – a gigantic creature, solidly made and black bearded to the waist. …

‘Ivan is an incredibly strong fellow,’ remarked the general, ‘but he has the misfortune to be deaf and dumb. A simple fellow, but, I’m afraid, like all his race, a bit of a savage.’ “

• direct characterization

• indirect characterization

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CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

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Indirect characterization shows readers information about the character through STEAL. In literature, what does this acronym stand for?

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CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

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Name 2 characteristics of Ebenezer Scrooge, and identify which elements of STEAL helped you infer this.

"A merry Christmas, uncle! God save you!’ cried a cheerful voice. It was the voice of Scrooge’s nephew…

‘Bah!’ said Scrooge, ‘Humbug!’

‘Christmas a humbug, uncle!’ said Scrooge’s nephew. ‘You don’t mean that, I am sure?’

‘I do,’ said Scrooge” (Dickens, 1843).

• Scrooge is a cheerful, jubilant man who loves Christmas. Readers can make this inference when he cried, "A Merry Christmas, Uncle!" This is determined through the use of dialogue/speech.

• Scrooge is a mean, miserable man who does not like Christmas. Readers can make this inference when he says, "Humbug!" in response to his nephew. This is determined through the use of dialogue/speech.

• Scrooge is a crabby, snappy man.

• We can see Scrooge's personality trait through the use of speech.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

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Name two characteristics of Uncle Drosselmeyer from the book, The Nutcracker, and identify which elements of STEAL helped you infer this.

"As the Christmas party goes full swing, a man appears in the parlor. He is wearing a long black coat, and all of the attention is turned to him. The children are all afraid. He reveals himself and is recognized instantly by Clara as her Godfather, Uncle Drosselmeyer. Clara is immediately drawn to him and gives him a huge hug. She is always excited to see him (Hoffman)."

• Uncle Drosselmeyer is a loving, caring man.

• Through Uncle Drosselmeyer's effect on Clara, readers can infer that he is a loving, caring man. Readers will note that "Clara is immediately drawn to him and gives him a huge hug". The fact that Clara rushes to Uncle Drosselmeyer's arms lets readers know that he is a loving man and maintains a positive relationship with his goddaughter.

• The element used here is effect on others. "Clara is immediately drawn to him and gives him a huge hug".

• Through the use of speech, one can infer that Uncle Drosselymeyer is a loving, caring man. "Clara is immediately drawn to him and gives him a huge hug". They have a good relationship.

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"Jim was never late. Della held the watch chain in her hand and sat near the door where he always entered. Then she heard his step in the hall and her face lost color for a moment. She often said little prayers quietly, about simple everyday things. And now she said: “Please God, make him think I’m still pretty.” The door opened and Jim stepped in. He looked very thin and he was not smiling. Poor fellow, he was only twenty-two—and with a family to take care of! He needed a new coat and he had nothing to cover his cold hands."

Based on the above excerpt from "The Gift of the Magi", which of the following provides a thorough explanation of one of Della's personality traits?

• Through the use of STEAL, readers can infer that Della cares about what others think.

• Della is self-conscious of her appearance.

• Based upon Della's thoughts, readers can infer that she is a self-conscious individual. She asks God to "make him (Jim) think I'm still pretty". Della cares about her looks and hopes that her husband will be attracted to her physical appearance.

• Through the element of looks, readers can infer that Della is a pretty woman. "Please God, make him (Jim) think I'm still pretty."

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CCSS.RL.11-12.3

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Excerpt from A Christmas Story

MOTHER: Oh, Randy! Don’t play with your food. Eat it!

(Randy begins to pout, cry, and whimper.)

RALPH: Most mornings my kid brother wore more oatmeal than he ate. He was a notoriously picky eater who had been known to go for years without taking on provisions.

THE OLD MAN: Stop that noise! Eat that food, or I’ll give you somethin’ to cry about!

RALPH: My mother was more subtle. She’d invented a game to get the little runt to eat.

MOTHER: Randy, how does the little piggy go?

RANDY: (suddenly full of life, grunts twice) Snort! Snort!

MOTHER: That’s right! That’s right! How do the little piggys go? (Randy grunts again. Mother laughs and claps her hands. She turns back to the countertop, picks up another bowl, and conceals it behind her back, moving towards Randy.) How does the little piggy go? (Randy grunts again. Mother laughs, and in one smooth, balletic movement replaces his oatmeal bowl with a new one.) Now show me how the piggies eat! Here’s a new trough! Go on; show me!

Based upon the conversation with Randy, make an inference about Mother's personality/character. Explain HOW you arrived to that conclusion.

• Readers can infer that Mother is a strict woman. She forces Randy to eat the oatmeal.

• Mother is a silly, playful woman. When she asks, "How does the little piggy go?", she laughs as Randy grunts while eating his oatmeal. Readers can infer this because she is taking a task that Randy does not like (eating oatmeal) and adding humor to win him over.

• Mother is a silly, playful woman. "How does the little piggy go?".

• The text says, "Mother laughs, and in one smooth, balletic movement replaces his oatmeal bowl with a new one".

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CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

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