How does Gina Berriault use characterization in 'The Stone Boy' short story?

He develops from a normal boy into a more withdrawn one after the accident. He becomes less expressive and more like a'stone' in terms of his emotions.

In 'The Stone Boy', a possible theme is the struggle with self - identity. The boy's unique and somewhat cold nature might represent his confusion about who he is in relation to his family and society. He doesn't react in the typical way, which shows his internal conflict regarding his identity.

In 'The Stone Boy', one of the main themes is the struggle with self - identity. The boy's experience makes him an outcast in a way, and he has to figure out who he is in the face of such a traumatic event. It's about how he copes with being different from others because of what has happened.

He uses the items the soldiers carry to characterize them. For example, if a soldier carries a lot of ammunition, it might show his eagerness or perhaps his fear in the war. The physical things become symbols of their personalities.

Authors can effectively use characterization in short stories in multiple ways. One way is through character development over the course of the story. A character could start off as shy and gradually become more confident as the plot unfolds. They can also use the setting to enhance characterization. If a character lives in a run - down, gloomy house, it can suggest their state of mind or social standing. Additionally, using internal monologues allows readers to get inside the character's head and understand their thoughts and feelings directly.

An author can use dialogue effectively. By having characters speak in distinct ways, like one using slang and another formal language, it differentiates them. For example, in a short story, the street - smart character uses lots of local slang while the rich businessman uses proper English.

The white men in the story are characterized in a way that reveals their racism and sense of superiority. Their actions, like making the black boys fight for their entertainment and using derogatory language, show their lack of respect for the black community. They are depicted as powerful but also cruel and ignorant.

Writers often use direct characterization by simply telling the reader about a character's traits. For example, they might say 'John was a brave and kind man.'

Tim O'Brien characterizes the soldiers through their possessions. For instance, the things Ted Lavender carried, like the tranquilizers, tell us about his fear and his way of coping with the stress of war. This shows his vulnerability.

One way is to steal characteristics from real - life people you've observed. For instance, if you know someone who is always overly optimistic, use those traits for a character in your short story. It gives authenticity. Another way is to steal from different cultures' character archetypes. Like the Japanese concept of the 'samurai' with its honor and discipline.