How to Write an Essay on "The Destructors" About Characterization
"The Destructors" by the late British author Graham Greene is an excellent source for the study of characterization. An author can choose to describe his characters in one of two ways. First, he may describe them by simply telling the reader what the person is like. An example might be, "She was a tall woman who felt superior to all those around her." This is known as direct characterization. Or an author may allow the character to demonstrate what she is like with her actions. This is called indirect characterization. Greene uses both methods for his characters in this story.
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Instructions
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Begin your essay with an introductory paragraph about Mike, a minor character who is mentioned at the beginning of the story. Point out how Mike is described using both direct and indirect characterization. Greene says that he is a 9-year-old boy "surprised by everything." This is an example of direct characterization. But the author then elaborates on that description by having another character say, "If you don't shut your mouth you'll get a frog down it." Use Mike to highlight the distinction between the two types of characterization.
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Continue your essay with Trevor, or T, as the subject of your next paragraph. Explain that the character of Trevor experiences change throughout the story. He begins as the newest recruit and becomes the leader, supplanting Blackie. Point out how he is described in the second paragraph of the story. Instead of saying that Trevor was taciturn, Greene gives examples of how rarely he speaks. This is a good demonstration of indirect characterization.
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Write your next paragraph using Blackie as your subject. This character begins the story as leader of the children but Trevor soon usurps his position. Blackie is initially described simply as the leader, but Greene describes Blackie's demotion using indirect characterization. Note how part two of the story begins with all the gang members punctual except Blackie. Greene uses Blackie's tardiness to describe the boy's demoralization.
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Use Mr. Thomas as the focus of your next paragraph. Greene shows us what he is like with his sad way of speaking, rather than just telling us that he is sad. Mr. Thomas's loneliness is evident by his solitary existence. Finally, Greene does not simply say that Mr. Thomas had a good heart. Instead, he shows this character giving things to children who had done nothing but bother him up to that point.
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Finish the essay with a concluding paragraph that briefly restates the difference between the two types of characterization. Then summarize how Greene uses these methods to describe his characters and their transformations in the story.
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References
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