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.