See = v [Tn] experience or undergo: he has seen a great deal in his long life. The Meaning of Life
9 author creates character, the devices by which he makes us believe a
character is the particular type of person he is” 1971: 20. The writer needs to know how the author makes us understand his
characteristics and personalities. For the purpose, the author usually employs some techniques of characterization.
Murphy in his book Understanding Unseens 1972: 161, points out nine ways in which an author attempts to make his characters
understandable to and come alive for his readers, namely: a.
Personal description The author describes a person’s appearance and clothing. In describing
his character, the author uses some adjectives to tell the readers the details of the character’s appearance such as his face, skin, eyes, and
his body. It is important because each character has an individual aspect so that the reader can have a better imagination.
b. Character as seen by another
The author describes a character’s personality by letting other characters in the story tell what they see from the characters they
encounter. So the readers will gain some clues through the judgement of other characters.
c. Speech
The reader will gain some clues to a person’s character through the character’s own words. When he gives his opinion in conversation
10 with another, he is reflecting his personality. From his speech we know
his attitude toward other characters and life. d.
Past life The author can also describe his or her character by letting the readers
learn some events or experiences about the character’s past life that has some close connection to his present life. The author gives a clue about
the character’s past experiences or moments which have influenced and formed the character’s personality. This can be done through some
straight comments from the author himself through his conversation with other characters or through the means of another character.
e. Conversation of others
The author gives the readers hints to a character’s personality from the other character’s conversation about other character.
f. Reactions
The author can describe the character’s personality through his reaction on different situations and moments, so that the readers may
know the quality of the character in dealing with the situations and moments encountered by the character.
g. Direct comment
The author can describe the character’s personality explicitly by giving his opinion and comment about the character.