Question

read the passage from initiation
millicent brushed back a strand of hair. it was stiff and sticky from the egg that they had broken on her head as she knelt blindfolded at the sorority altar a short while before. there had been a silence, a slight crunching sound, and then she had felt the cold, slimy egg - white flattening and spreading on her head and sliding down her neck. she had heard someone smothering a laugh. it was all part of the ceremony
what technique does the author use to describe millicent in this scene?

• indirect characterization to describe how millicent appears
• indirect characterization to describe what millicent is feeling physically
• direct characterization to describe how millicent appears
• direct characterization to describe how millicent is feeling emotionally

Explanation:

1. First, recall the difference between direct and indirect characterization: Direct characterization tells the reader about a character directly (e.g., "Millicent was brave"), while indirect characterization shows through actions, thoughts, or physical sensations.
2. The passage describes Millicent's physical sensations (stiff/sticky hair, cold/slimy egg - white on her head/neck) to reveal her experience, not directly stating traits.
3. Eliminate options about direct characterization (C, D) as the author doesn't directly tell us about her appearance or emotions. Eliminate A because it's about appearance, but the passage focuses on physical feelings (the egg on her head, etc.), not just how she looks. So the correct answer is the option about indirect characterization of her physical feelings.

Answer:

B. indirect characterization to describe what Millicent is feeling physically