Read the passage from The Grapes of Wrath. Had he not been 50 years old, and so one of the natural rulers of the family, Uncle J
ohn would have preferred not to sit in the honor place beside the driver. Uncle John, a lonely man and a loner since the death of his wife, sat uneasily. Being one of the heads of the family, he had to govern; and now he had to sit on the honor seat beside the driver. Which statement indicates direct characterization in this passage? A. Uncle John was a very young man. B. Uncle John was upset about the death of his wife. C. Uncle John was one of the people in charge of the family. D. Uncle John liked being in the honor seat.
C. Uncle John was one of the people in charge of the family.
Explanation:
Direct characterization is a literary device consisting of making direct statements about a character's personality, interests, motif, or physical appearance instead of revealing their traits through indirect means such as dialogue and description of behavior.
Unlike the other options, Option C indicates a true direct characterization about Uncle John (Option A, B and D make false statements about John): The author tells us that John is one of the natural rulers of the family, and one of the heads of the family, so “he had to govern.”
It is significant because a prominent leader was suggesting that the unequal treatment of African Americans was in direct opposition to the principles of the Declaration of Independence.
