Lesson 1 - Spotlight on character 2017

Lesson 1 - Introduction to Characters

For this lesson, I picked Captain's Courageous by Rudyard Kipling. I picked the main character, Harvey Cheyne Jr. for my discussion:

• What is the nature of the character: his or her personality traits, speech, habits, mannerisms, etc.?

15 year-old Harvey is a true spoilt brat. He's very used to ordering people around, he's accustomed to things kids his age will never imagine at that time. For example, after an accident, when he's saved, the very first thing he asks about is a huge sum of lost money. Moreover, he's trying to lure all the people around him with money for following his orders. He is very habituated to a rich lifestyle; he even demands for milk in his coffee when there isn't any. At first, he seems to show a very rough and rude personality. Though Harvey changes a lot during the course of the story.

• What actions did or didn't make this character act and react, change, or remain the same though the story?

After being rescued by the crew of a ship called "We're here", at first Harvey remained as the demanding little rat nobody seemed to love. Later on, after a series of events, Harvey gradually befriended the Captain's son, Dan. Bit by bit, Harvey learned to blend with all the people on the ship, which was being filled with fish. The Captain offered Harvey to work for $10.5 a week, till they reached ashore. They had to remain at sea for quite a number of months before finally reaching land. Harvey's sea adventures, from catching a big fish to helping his friends buy tobacco from a group of French men, slowly taught him the value of friendship, respect, togetherness and maybe also, money.

Harvey evoked a lot of emotions in me. At first, when he fell into the water I felt sorry for his parents that they did not get to know about his whereabouts. Later, his demanding nature made me very angry. Deep in my mind I was saying, hey, come on young man, you should learn to appreciate your blessings. Gradually, with the change of his personality, I was like, phew, finally your head is thinking straight, lad! Towards the end of the story, I was both shocked and happy to learn something about Harvey's father. To know what that thing is, go ahead and read the classic.

Harvey Cheyne is my favorite because though he can seem like a stereotype at times, he has his own uniqueness. Being completely raw at the skills needed for his first job, he always had the willingness to learn. He had his own loneliness, his own problems yet he hardly complained later in the story. I believe if I ever have a son, I'll try to raise him the way he'd appreciate little blessings, in the same way Harvey does. Harvey learned from his little mistakes, he never gave up.

Rudyard Kipling unfolded Harvey bit by bit through his actions, and conversations with his fellow boat members. For me, these are the two easiest ways of showing my characters too. I think I will try to show my characters the way Harvey was shown.