Character analysis of 'The toilet'

Character analysis of ‘The toilet ’. Objects are considered characters too ..

Overview ….. Characters refers to the individuals in a story or rather individuals that the story is about. Every story has a main character who determines the way in which the plot develops. In this story, the main character is the narrator and all characters serve as foil to the narrator; exposing distinctive features or characteristics that the narrator posses. The reader is presented with a deeper understanding of the character; mainly the protagonist by placing emphasis on her strengths and weakness acted upon by all other characters. This analysis will focus on the following characters: the narrator, Irene, the Madam and the toilet.

The narrator. She is a dynamic character ,as she grows and changes throughout the story. An individual that is not rooted in societal norms; she wanted something different from her parents and wanted to pursue acting which according to societal norms it is not a respectable career. A person vs person conflict is presented between her and her mother as they have conflicting views on values, attitudes and experiences. It can therefore be argued that ,this is the reason she never listened to her mother. “sometimes I wanted to give up and be a good girl who listened to her elders” She preferred being called “stupid” instead of meeting guys for lunch or even get a “lunch boy”.

Irene – older sister to the narrator. She is a round character in the story She never talks about school or even show interest in her sister’s work, one can say she might be uneducated. She is intimidate/afraid of the madam since she sneaks her little sister inside the house instead of asking. She cared about her sister as she would feel bad about locking her in the bad room when she went to work. However they were not always on good terms..

The Madam. She is a flat character that enjoyed the privileges that comes with being white during the apartheid era. Could be argued that she did not appreciate the likes of the narrator being at her home, hence she instructed her to leave after she found her in the premises waiting for her sister Irene. She did it without considering the danger that might have She never knew that the narrator was residing in her home and if she knew there would have been devastating consequences that the sister would have faced. She likes “painting her nails” which suggests that she never does any work around the house One could say that she lacks empathy as she doesn’t not call off the dogs immediately after se saw them trying to bite the narrator..

The toilet. It acts as a round character in the story. Provides the narrator with a place of refuge and shelters her throughout the entire winter Protected the narrator against the harshness of the winter cold. Gave privacy to the narrator and provided her with a space to indulge in her thinking..