evaluating characters in drama....undeniably pleasurable

Characterization is the means of a writer to describe, reveal or develop a character for a reader. The writer uses many techniques to bring out the characterization of a character through the use of language. A writer’s use of language is by the application of imagery, metaphor, simile, and other kind of figurative language which are also used by the writer in the text to portray the characters’ traits besides using the dramatic devices such as humour, foreshadowing, irony, pun, suspense and slapstick. Thus, the writer uses application in his description of narrational voice, presentation of the character’s action, speech and thoughts to reveal the characterization of the characters. Besides that, often remarks and comments by other characters and how other characters act, react, think about him will also throw light on his personality and character traits. The use of language in Gulp and Gasp Drama by John Townsend in defining characterization in the play is beautifully displayed. John Townsend uses some of the combination of the techniques mentioned above to dramatically bring out the characterization of Rose, Percy, Lord Septic and Crouch.

Character and characterization in Gulp and Gasp (based on the Drama by John Townsend)

ROSE

Characteristics: Poor and humble

Textual evidence:

She lives in poverty and sells flowers for a living. The hardship that she is going through made her lead a simple, humble and homely life. When she came to sell the flowers at the railway station, she has not eaten for 3 days and she is greatly hoping to earn some coins. Her house is in a very poor condition and the attic room has dry rot.

Characteristics: Blind and innocent

Textual evidence:

Rose is blind due to the flames at the match factory owned by Lord Septic. She has to lead a hard life as she lost her eye sight. Though she is blind, she is honest in earning money for living and her deed of working as a flower girl reflects her innocent attribute.

Characteristics: Hardworking and strong determination

Textual evidence:

She is hardworking and strong determined as she is willing to take all the trouble to walk all alone and sell the flowers at her own risk. She wants to save up for an operation on her eyes.

Characteristics: Caring and devoted

Textual evidence:

She cares for her sick mother, so she sells flowers in order to pay for her mother’s medication and treatments. She is a devoted child who looks after her ailing mother although she is blind.

Characteristics: Optimistic

Textual evidence:

She is also optimistic as she never gives up in her effort to earn money to treat her mother and for her eyes operation. She is a person who is always hopeful and expects the best in all things.

Characteristics: Smart and efficient

Textual evidence:

She discovers the identity of Lord Septic, accuses him of victimizing her and threatens to expose his crimes by showing a courageous spirit to fight for her rights. Besides that she is also quick in finding out about Percy’s background and gives moral support to him to regain his family fortune. She helps in unraveling the mystery of the key in order to tie up all the loose ends.

Characteristics: Romantic

Textual evidence:

Her romantic admiration towards Percy is revealed through her speech: “Oh, Percy! You’re my hero. My knight in shining armour. My good knight.” She also said, “It could be the key to my heart!”

PERCY

Characteristics: A helpful orphan

Textual evidence:

Percy’s mother was killed on the railway line and he became an orphan living in poverty and hardship. He was found in the litter bin at the railway station, wearing a purse containing a key bearing the initials, NSL. He went through a poor life without realizing that he is actually the rightful heir to Gatsby Gold. Although he is an orphan, he is a selfless and helpful. He helps Rose to pick up her flowers which is thrown by Crouch, and rescued Rose from being killed by Lord Septic when she is tied on the railway tracks by Crouch.

Characteristics: Generous

Textual evidence:

Although he is poor he is sympathetic towards Rose and he really wish he could give her some money when he first meet her at the railway station. When Percy came to know that he is rightfully the heir of Gatsby Gold, he willing to share his gold with Rose.

Characteristics: Intelligent and resourceful

Textual evidence:

Percy is quick in thinking as he managed to stop the train before it runs on Rose. He is smart enough to dab his bleeding nose with his pants until it become dark re. then he climbed up the gas lamp at the far end of the station and put his pants over the lamp.The train driver thought it was a stop light, so his pants brought the train to a halt.

Characteristics: Kind hearted and humble

Textual evidence:

Percy is willing to share his wealth with Rose although he is an aristocrat. He propose Rose as he is willing to marry her out of love . He willing said that half of his wealth is for her, so that she can pay for the operation to regain her eyesight and pay for her mother’s pills to make her well again.Besides that he wants to buy a home and marry Rose and be her life partner.

Characteristics: Brave and fights for justice

Textual evidence:

He grabs Crouch by his color when Crouch treated Rose badly. He rescues Rose from being killed by Lord Septic and he manages to chain him and his servant so that they cannot escape from their evil deeds. Finally the villains are left to their fate as the police are approaching the track.

LORD SEPTIC

Characteristics: Cruel and greedy

Textual evidence:

Lord Septic is a cruel owner of the match factory where Rose worked. . When she lost her eyesight due to the fire in the factory, he did not pay her for the damage. Besides that he treats Rose like a beggar and chases her form the railway station. Although he is rich, he want more and more wealth, he seeks more power and willing to kill for it. He wants to be the richest man and wants to find the Gatsby Gold.

Characteristics: Hot tempered and egoistic

Textual evidence:

He grabs Rose by the wrist and demands Crouch to tie her up. He takes control of the situation and he said that no one ever tells him what to do

Characteristics: violent

Textual evidence:

He creeps from the shadows and mercilessly hits Percy on his head with his stick.Then he slams Percy against the locker. He commands Crouch to tie Rose with the rope to the tracks as he hears the train coming.

Characteristics: Selfish

Textual evidence:

He did not keep the match factory safe because it would cause him money. As a result there was a fire out break which has caused harm and trouble to the poor workers who earn their living working in the factory. He even has no respect for his wife and calls her a nagger and he confesses that he married her wealth as she own a gun factory.

Characteristics: Evil in nature

Textual evidence:

He threw away the Gatsby Kid in the litter bin without any sense of humanity. He mistreats his workers and is very rude to Crouch, Percy and Rose. He is impatient and ill-mannered as he plans to sack the driver and everyone if the train does not arrive.

Characteristics: Rude

Textual evidence:

He is rude and uncouth in language and he looks as though he lacks breeding although he retends to be someone from upper crust. His rudeness is revealed from the way he talks and treats Rose, Crouch and Percy

CROUCH:

Characteristics: Subservient

Textual evidence:

Crouch is a servant who is so devoted and submissive towards his master. Lord Septic. He gives too much respect to his master. He is dim-witted as he simply agrees with whatever his boss say and instructs.

Characteristics: Bully

Textual evidence:

He bullies Rose and throws away her tray of rose across the platform. He has no sense of humanity although he knows that Rose is poor and blind.

Characteristics: Coward

Textual evidence:

He is actually feeble has he confesses that he is just following orders from Lord Septic and he doesn’t want to be blamed for the evil acts he did.

Characteristics: Grovel

Textual evidence:

He has no self dignity and grovels for a living. He grovel at Lord Septic by saying that he is such a great man and he has a big lordship. He even grovels at Percy by saying “By all means, sir. Anything you say, sir.”

Characteristics: Power crazy

Textual evidence:

He enjoys the time when he is given power to chase Rose from the railway tracks. Thus he is also power crazy like his master.