CHARACTER SKETCH FULL

The books we read that we can't forget often include characters that appeal to us for their humanity (or lack thereof), and they come to life on the pages in ways that only a great writer can make happen. Hence, the Grandmother is an important character even though she remains mostly in the backdrop.The ability to create memorable characters is what separates mediocre writers from master storytellers.

Grandmother’s supportive character can also be seen when she accompanies her daughter-in-law to the hospital.

She is a mature woman who understands that the upbringing of children is a delicate issue and parents should be allowed to discipline their children in their own way.

When Kezia’s father punishes Kezia with a ruler, Grandmother wraps her in a shawl and rocks her in a chair clinging her to her soft body.

She does not interfere in any matters of the household and simply provides background support.

She advises Kezia to talk nicely to her parents when they are relatively relaxed on Sunday afternoons.

She does not question the authoritarian attitude of her son but keeps prodding her young granddaughter to make efforts to build her bond with her parents.

Her character comes up as a mature and understanding elder in a household.

Kezia’s Grandmother is addressed as ‘Grannie’ by Kezia and as ‘mother’ by Kezia’s father, her son.

CHARACTER SKETCH FULL

Kezia’s father thus makes a typical father who poses a stern exterior which actually hides a soft, affectionate, and tender big heart, full of love.This reveals his paternal affection, protective nature, and caring attitude. He asks her to rub her feet with his legs to make them warm. He not only carries her in his arms to his room but also tucks her comfortably in his bed. However, the positive aspect of his persona surfaces when he takes care of his little girl in the absence of the women of the household.It appears that he fails to understand the innocent emotions of his daughter who damages his papers accidentally. This negative aspect of his personality is highlighted even more when he punishes Kezia with a ruler.He is so strict with his daughter that the poor girl stutters in front of him and feels relieved when he leaves for work in the morning. Instead of taking off his shoes himself, he makes Kezia do it for him. As soon as he returns home in the evening, he wants his tea brought to him along with the newspaper.

He wants them to be at his beck and call all the time. Initially, he appears as a domineering, head of the family and demands complete obedience from other members.

Kezia’s father displays two divergent characteristics in the story.She transforms into a kind, perceptive, and devoted daughter from a resentful and terrified young woman. She realises her love for him and is inspired by his great heart. Her mistrust of him transforms into gratitude for his labour of love. She feels happy when her father protectively takes her to his bed and comforts her. When Kezia is quick to notice her father's affection the night she is frightened by a horrible dream, it highlights their close relationship.Without asking for permission, she rips the papers impulsively, ruining the situation. She makes her father a pin cushion for his birthday, but unintentionally uses his crucial documents as stuffing. When she compares herself to other children, she is pained to observe that her father does not pamper her like the fathers of other children. Sometimes she even thinks that there should not have been any fathers in this world.But when she's with her father, she starts to stutter out of fear. Despite her desire to avoid him and her fear of him, she removes his shoes when her mother asks her to. So every morning when he departs for work, she is relieved.

She views her father as the head of the household who demands constant respect. Kezia's actions are typical of a young girl.She is as much affected by her father’s disciplinarian attitude as by his love. Kezia, the young female protagonist of the story “The Little Girl”, is an emotional and sensitive girl.

Character sketch