Question

identifying indirect characterization

only once during all those trips did we have any trouble. some demon boys were out in the street. they stooped as if to pick up things to throw, and father whispered to me to sit up straight and not show i was afraid. the demon boys called out some things, but we ignored them until we had passed them by. a rock whizzed by my ear and hit red rabbit in the side. he snorted, but plodded on as steadily as before.
-dragonwings,
laurence yep

which quote from the passage is an example of indirect characterization?

\only once during all those trips did we have any trouble.\
\some demon boys were out in the street.\
\we ignored them until we had passed them by.\
\a rock whizzed by my ear...\

Explanation:

Define characterization types

Using the Indirect Characterization knowledge point

• Direct characterization explicitly tells the reader what a character is like (e.g., "Some demon boys were out in the street" directly labels the boys as "demon boys").
• Indirect characterization shows a character's traits through their actions, speech, thoughts, appearance, or interactions with others (STEAL method).

Analyze the given options

• Option 1: "Only once during all those trips did we have any trouble." This is a plot-based narrative statement describing the frequency of events, not characterization.
• Option 2: "Some demon boys were out in the street" This is direct characterization because the author directly labels the boys with the adjective "demon."
• Option 3: "We ignored them until we had passed them by" This is indirect characterization. Instead of directly stating that the narrator and Father are calm, disciplined, or non-confrontational, it shows their self-control and determination through their actions (ignoring the boys).
• Option 4: "A rock whizzed by my ear" This describes an external action/event in the setting, not a character trait.

Select the correct option

The third option is the correct example of indirect characterization because it reveals the characters' traits through their actions.

Answer:

• "Only once during all those trips did we have any trouble."
• "Some demon boys were out in the street"
• "We ignored them until we had passed them by" (Correct answer)
• "A rock whizzed by my ear"