Question

How does the author's use of direct and indirect characterization help the reader to visualize the character of Merridew?

Answer 1

1.) DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION - the writer makes direct statements about a character's personality and tells what the character is like. 

a. Read how Golding describes Piggy in the beginning of the novel. He reveal's to us readers that Piggy is a shy boy who dons glasses and is fat (thus his nickname). 

2.) INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION - the writer reveals information about a character and his personality through that character's thoughts, words, and actions, along with how other characters respond to that character, including what they think and say about him. 

a. A good example would be Jack. Golding described him as the eldest boy of the choir and many of the younger choir boys looked up to him and depended on him a great deal after the crash. What Golding didn't tell us was that Jack took his dictatorship seriously and he went too far with his role when he blindly killed Simon and he developed a thirst for blood.
Hope that helps ^-^