S2 Exercise 9: Characters (2)

In the previous extract from “Northern Lights” Pulman very cleverly creates an impression of what Lord Asriel is like by comparing him with other characters.   This is a technique used often by writers and one which you should consider when producing  your own pieces of imaginative writing.   In his novel “Of Mice and Men” John Steinbeck introduced his two main characters by comparing one with the other:

“They had walked in single file down the path and even in the open one stayed

behind the other.  Both were dressed in denim trousers and in denim coats with

brass buttons.  Both wore black, shapeless hats and both carried tight blanket rolls

slung over their shoulders.   The first man was small and quick, dark of face,

with restless eyes and sharp strong features.  Every part of him was

defined:  small, strong hands, slender arms, a thin and bony nose.   Behind

him walked his opposite, a huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale

eyes, with wide, sloping shoulders:  and he walked heavily, dragging his feet

a little, the way a bear drags his paws.   His arms did not swing at his

sides, but hung loosely”.

C) Look closely at the extract above  from “Of Mice and Men”.

1. Copy the table below and write down all the words and phrases used to describe the first man and the man who walked behind.

2. In your own words, try to express the contrast in appearance, personality and behaviour between these two characters.