Characterization is the way a writer reveals characters. When a writer tells you what a character is like the method is called direct characterization. If a writer prefers to show characters in action this method is called indirect characterization. In the story “China’s Little Ambassador” the headmistress is described using both indirect and direct characterization.

             In the story “China’s Little Ambassador” the headmistress is described as having blue eyes and a high nose. Then there was her blue hair. But the narrator Shirley doesn’t find this strange because she is a foreigner and was told many people in America have blue eyes and hair in all different colors. What she finds strange is that the headmistress has no eyebrows and that they look penciled on. Then on top of that she has no eyelashes. Her skin was as bare as a Happy Buddha’s Belly, except for the neat rows of stiff curls that hugged her head. And every time she tilted her head, her hair moved all in one piece like a hat.

           From this description of the headmistress I came to the conclusion that the headmistress is a very bold individual. If you can walk around with blue hair and barely any hair and not seem to be embarrassed you are very confident. So she might not really care what people think about her. Or she may just not pay mind to her appearance.

          Some of her actions are she shut one eye, the right one, then opened it again. From this action I would think that she was wishing Shirley good luck or telling her she can do it by winking. Another action was when she tilted her head when Shirley was describing her which really doesn’t give much information about her personality. Then the headmistress explained to Shirley’s mother that grades were assigned by age. From this gesture I would think she was being considerate of how this is a new country for Shirley and her mother and they may not understand all of the U.S. customs. Also when the headmistress was in the office arguing with Shirley’s mother she seemed pretty calm so as a headmistress she seems pretty experienced with parents. Lastly she introduces Shirley to the class. So in my opinion she was being thoughtful of Shirley since Shirley couldn’t speak English. So she made that day easier for her.

          In conclusion the headmistress seems like a great person with a great personality. Who could possibly be describes as loving her job and not at all be stressed. Throughout the story there is mostly indirect characterization so I inferred her personality from the headmistress’s actions. This was a great story and I very much enjoyed reading it and found it a great way to teach characterization.  

Thanks to the Examer Company Limited of St.Lucia sponsored by Film Annex for giving me the opportunity to share my story and develop the skill of creative writing. I’m looking forward to writing some more.