[Virtual Presenter] Welcome everyone. Today we're going to explore the strengths and weaknesses of the narrator, Irene, the Madam, and the toilet in the author's company's character analysis of 'The Toilet'. We'll explore how these objects can be seen as characters and how they shape the story. Let's get started.. 

Scene 1

[Audio] The characters are crucial for the narrative's progression. The primary protagonist, also the narrator, encounters different characters to help move the plot forward. Irene, the Madam, and the toilet, all offer a contrast to the narrator, letting the reader gain insight of the narrator's strengths and weaknesses. Through these characters, we can appreciate the story better.. 

Scene 2

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

[Audio] The narrator is a complex character, desiring to break free from the societal norms imposed on her. Her drive to pursue a passion for acting disregards conventional views of her society, leading to a person versus person conflict between her and her mother. She is often pushed to follow her mother's wishes, being exasperated at alterations to expectations. Choosing to be called "stupid" instead of her mother's advice reveals her strength and resoluteness in not being bound by traditional norms.. 

Scene 3

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”

[Audio] Irene is a central figure in the story and an example of a round character. She appears to be uneducated due to her lack of interest in education or any discussion about it. She is intimidated by the Madam, hence her choice to sneak her little sister into the house instead of addressing the matter. Despite this, Irene still displays caring for her sister, feeling guilt for locking her away while she goes out to work. Despite their differences, their relationship is still characterized by warmth.. 

Scene 4

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.

[Audio] Madam is a classic example of a flat character. Being a white South African during the apartheid era she experienced privileges which the narrator, waiting in her home for her sister Irene, did not. She showed her disregard for the narrator by ordering her to leave despite potential dangers her sister might face. Additionally, she displayed a lack of empathy by not immediately calling off the dogs when they were attacking her. Further evidence of her qualities was shown when she seemed to have no job around the house; instead preferring to ‘paint her nails’.. 

Scene 5

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.

[Audio] The toilet in this story serves as a round character, functioning as a haven of refuge for the narrator from the cold winter and supplying her with a place to contemplate and ponder. It provided her a refuge from the elements, a place she could flee to and feel secure. It gave her protection and a sense of solitude, enabling her to partake in her internal contemplations without any interruption. Thus, the toilet can be seen as a symbol of comfort and safety in a time of doubt. Thank you.. 

Scene 6

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.

Character analysis of 'The toilet'

Scene 0

The characters are crucial for the narrative's progression

The primary protagonist, also the narrator, encounters different characters to help move the plot forward

Irene, the Madam, and the toilet, all offer a contrast to the narrator, letting the reader gain insight of the narrator's strengths and weaknesses

Through these characters, we can appreciate the story better.

avatar

The narrator is a complex character, desiring to break free from the societal norms imposed on her

Her drive to pursue a passion for acting disregards conventional views of her society, leading to a person versus person conflict between her and her mother

She is often pushed to follow her mother's wishes, being exasperated at alterations to expectations

Choosing to be called "stupid" instead of her mother's advice reveals her strength and resoluteness in not being bound by traditional norms.

Irene is a central figure in the story and an example of a round character

She appears to be uneducated due to her lack of interest in education or any discussion about it

She is intimidated by the Madam, hence her choice to sneak her little sister into the house instead of addressing the matter

Despite this, Irene still displays caring for her sister, feeling guilt for locking her away while she goes out to work

Despite their differences, their relationship is still characterized by warmth.

Madam is a classic example of a flat character

Being a white South African during the apartheid era she experienced privileges which the narrator, waiting in her home for her sister Irene, did not

She showed her disregard for the narrator by ordering her to leave despite potential dangers her sister might face

Additionally, she displayed a lack of empathy by not immediately calling off the dogs when they were attacking her

Further evidence of her qualities was shown when she seemed to have no job around the house

instead preferring to ‘paint her nails’.

The toilet in this story serves as a round character, functioning as a haven of refuge for the narrator from the cold winter and supplying her with a place to contemplate and ponder

It provided her a refuge from the elements, a place she could flee to and feel secure

It gave her protection and a sense of solitude, enabling her to partake in her internal contemplations without any interruption

Thus, the toilet can be seen as a symbol of comfort and safety in a time of doubt

Character analysis of 'The toilet'

Scene 1 (0s)

Scene 2 (22s)

Scene 3 (1m 29s)

Scene 4 (2m 4s)

Scene 5 (2m 39s)

Scene 6 (3m 18s)