Character Analysis Example: John Conlan from "The Pigman"

This excerpt from Paul Zindel's novel "The Pigman" provides an excellent opportunity for character analysis. The scene depicts a conversation between John Conlan and his father, set in New York during the late 1960s.

Setting Context

Mr. Conlan, referred to as "Bore" by John, works at the stock exchange, which is described as a hectic and stressful workplace.

Highlight: The setting and Mr. Conlan's occupation provide important context for understanding the characters' motivations and conflicts.

Analyzing John Conlan

1. Personality Traits:
   • Independent-minded
   • Artistic aspirations
   • Resistant to his father's expectations

Example: John's desire to become an actor demonstrates his artistic inclinations and independence from his father's career path.

2. Relationship with Father:
   • Tense and conflictual
   • Differing views on John's future

Quote: "Don't be a jackass." - This harsh statement from Mr. Conlan illustrates the tension in their relationship.

3. Career Aspirations:
   • Interested in acting
   • Resistant to following in his father's footsteps

Vocabulary: Stock Exchange - A marketplace where stocks, bonds, and other securities are traded.

Analyzing Mr. Conlan ("Bore")

1. Personality Traits:
   • Stressed and overworked
   • Traditional views on career and success
   • Sarcastic and dismissive of John's aspirations

Quote: "Try eating your imagination when you're hungry sometime." - This sarcastic remark reveals Mr. Conlan's practical and dismissive attitude towards John's career choice.

2. Physical State:
   • Aging (nearly sixty years old)
   • Potentially in poor health due to work stress

Highlight: The text suggests that Mr. Conlan's work environment is taking a toll on his health, adding urgency to his desire for John to join the business.

3. Relationship with Sons:
   • Favors Kenneth, who follows in his footsteps
   • Struggles to understand and accept John's choices

Example: Mr. Conlan's statement, "Thank God Kenneth isn't a lunatic," clearly shows his preference for his other son's career choices.

This character analysis example demonstrates how to examine characters' traits, relationships, and motivations within the context of the story. It showcases the importance of using textual evidence to support interpretations in a character analysis structure.

Detailed Character Analysis

When conducting a character analysis, it's important to consider various aspects of the character:

Outward Appearance

Analyze physical characteristics such as:

• Height
• Age
• Hair and eye color
• Style
• Body shape

Function in Character Constellation

Identify the character's role in relation to others, such as:

• Boss
• Daughter
• Girlfriend

Social Background

Consider the character's socioeconomic status and background:

• Rich or poor
• Family situation (e.g., broken home)
• Criminal history (if applicable)

Main Traits

Identify key personality traits, which may include:

• Honesty
• Intelligence
• Jealousy
• Kindness
• Shyness
• Emotional nature
• Helpfulness
• Confidence
• Reliability
• Harshness
• Loyalty
• Bravery
• Curiosity
• Disrespectfulness
• Pessimism
• Insecurity

Highlight: A thorough character analysis should explore multiple facets of a character's personality and background.

Actions and Behavior

Analyze the character's actions and how they behave in different situations.

Language

Examine the character's speech patterns and language use:

• Polite
• Colloquial
• Formal
• Gentle
• Excited

Example: A character who consistently uses formal language might be perceived as educated or from a higher social class.

Useful Phrases for Character Analysis

When writing a character analysis, consider using these phrases:

• "He/she is described as..."
• "His/her actions or body language reveal..."
• "This trait becomes apparent in..."
• "His/her behavior indicates that..."
• "A closer examination shows..."
• "Their relationship is characterized by deep affection/hate..."
• "Their relationship can be described as..."
• "His/her statement..."

Highlight: Always support your analysis with quotes or references from the text to provide evidence for your interpretations.

Concluding Your Analysis

End your character analysis with a conclusion that summarizes your findings. Use phrases like:

• "In summary..."
• "In conclusion..."
• "As a result..."

Quote: "Always keep in mind - do never forget to quote or give reference from the text to support your analysis of a character!"