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Difficulty: MediumCharacter Types and Techniques of Characterization

Read the prose extract below:

"Uncle Demola never spoke of his days at the ministry without his right hand trembling against his knee. Though he wore his tailored suits with an air of unyielding authority and commanded silence whenever he entered the sitting room, he would quietly stash away leftover crusts of bread in his handkerchief after every dinner."

Which technique of characterization is primarily employed by the author in the extract above to reveal the character's internal complexity?

  1. Indirect characterization through observable physical mannerisms and behavioral habitsAnswer
  2. B
    Direct characterization through explicit narrative commentary detailing his psychological traits
  3. C
    First-person characterization conveyed through the character's own internal monologue
  4. D
    Dramatic characterization through a soliloquy revealing hidden personal motives

Answer

Indirect characterization through observable physical mannerisms and behavioral habits
The correct answer identifies indirect characterization because the author conveys Uncle Demola's secret insecurity and frugality by showing his involuntary gesture (trembling hand) and subtle habit (stashing bread crusts), allowing the reader to infer his personality without explicit narrative telling.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the narrative perspective and presentation in the prose extract.
The narrator describes physical details (trembling hand, tailored suits) and specific actions (stashing bread crusts in a handkerchief) from a third-person perspective.
Identifying how information about the character is conveyed determines the characterization technique.
2
Distinguish between direct and indirect characterization techniques.
The text shows the character's traits through behavior and appearance rather than explicitly telling the reader what to think about his personality.
Showing traits through actions, speech, appearance, and gestures is the hallmark of indirect characterization.

Key Concept

Indirect characterization in prose fiction
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Topics

Character Types and Techniques of Characterization

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