Direct Characterization In Alice Munro's How I Met My Husband

In the story, “How I Met My Husband”, by Alice Munro, indirect and direct characterization are key features Munro uses to show the reader what each character is like. Indirect characterization is when the author shows one what a character is like through their actions and appearance. This can be seen in the story through the character known as Loretta Bird. Munro uses indirect characterization for Loretta Bird, to highlight her as a dramatic character and antagonizer. Munro is portraying Loretta as an “over the top” character who likes to make things seem worse than they really are. For example, when Loretta runs to the Peeble household, after seeing a plane casually land across the street, and shouts, “I thought it was going to crash into the house and kill youse all” (Munro 119). Along with being a dramatic character, Loretta Bird is portrayed as a character who likes to make a situation

The meaning of direct characterization is when the author tells the reader up front what the character is like. This is evident in the character, Alice Kelling. Munro uses direct characterization to create a picture of what Alice Kelling looks like. Alice Kelling was“brought to life” when the narrator states, “This Alice Kelling had on a pair of brown and white checked slacks and a yellow top. Her bust looked to me rather low and bumpy. She had a worried face. Her hair had a permanent, but had grown out, and she wore a yellow band to keep it off her face. Nothing in the least pretty or even young-looking about her. But you could tell from how she talked she was from the city or educated, or both” (Munro 125). This description provides a visual for readers that is vivid and interesting. Through this description, readers get an idea of Alice Kelling’s place in the story, how she is perceived by others, and what a reader should believe about