Question

Read this passage from “In Another Country.” In what way is Hemingway using characterization to describe the Major? The major came very regularly to the hospital. I do not think he ever missed a day, although I am sure he did not believe in the machines. There was a time when none of us believed in the machines, and one day the major said it was all nonsense. The machines were new then and it was we who were to prove them. It was an idiotic idea, he said, "a theory like another".
Indirect characterization – the major is relating his own thoughts to the reader
Indirect characterization – the narrator is relating the major’s thoughts, words, and actions.
Direct characterization – the author is giving a description of the major’s physical and mental qualities.
Direct characterization – the narrator is relating the major’s thoughts and feelings.

Answer 1

The correct answer is B. Indirect characterization – the narrator is relating the major’s thoughts, words, and actions.

Explanation:

In literary works, indirect characterization occurs as the narrator or author of the text allows the reader to know about a character through the thoughts, words, and actions of this character. This is the opposite of direct characterization in which the narrator explicitly describes the personality or traits of a character.

In the case of the excerpt presented, there is mainly indirect characterization because instead of describing the personality of the major the narrator let the reader know him through his actions "The major came very regularly to the hospital", words "The major came very regularly to the hospital" and thoughts or beliefs "he did not believe in the machines" to show he is a skeptic person.

Answer 2

Answer:

Indirect characterization – the narrator is relating the major’s thoughts, words, and actions.

Explanation:

The direct characterization is when the qualities of the character are tell to the audience, for example “The rude girl looked at the boy”, here we do not need to assume her personality by her actions or thought we already she is rude, it is explicit in the sentence, however in this excerpt we assume the personality of the major based on his thoughts and actions, this is the indirect charavcterization.