Character Clues

Character Analysis

Actions

We learn about characters primarily through their actions. As we talk about in "Point of View," the narrator is a third-person observer who rarely goes inside the characters' inner minds. Since we don't have access to their thoughts and feelings, we have to infer what they're thinking through how they behave and act. Action becomes what defines each of the characters. And one of the questions we are constantly asking is whether the characters will act in their own selfish interests or decide to do the right thing.

Physical Appearances

For each of the major characters in the novel, the narrator always gives us a detailed description of their physical appearances. Beyond allowing us to visualize in our heads what they look like, these descriptions also serve another function. They provide us with clues into the characters' personality.

We know that Spade is described as a "blond satan," a phrase that combines both positive and negatives qualities, suggesting his moral ambiguity. We're also told that Brigid is a knockout and knows it. She constantly uses her good looks to get what she wants. For more detailed discussions the significance behind each character's physical appearances, check out the "Character Analysis" section.

Clothing

Using clothing as a characterization technique is linked to physical appearances. When the narrator describes the characters' looks, he also tells us what they're wearing. And these details give us additional clues into their personalities. For example, Brigid is usually wearing silk or satin dresses that enhance her figure, making her totally irresistible but also dangerous. In contrast, Effie wears more practical office attire, which evokes a down-to-earth, girl-next-door kind of charm. Check out the "Character Analysis" section if you want to read up on how clothing helps us learn more about each character.