Clara's Day (Characterization)

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Characterization of Clara Clara Tilling is a fifteen-year-old girl. She is a child of divorced parents, living with her mother, and partly with her mother’s boyfriend Stan, who occasionally sleeps over. Her father is absent in the story, and it does not appear like she has any relations with him. Clara is described as a very modest and shy person. People who know her, perceives her as a “prude”, who isn’t expected to do anything, startling or rash: “It wasn’t like you, Clara, was it? There are a few people one wouldn’t be all that surprised, if they suddenly did something idiotic or unexpected. But you aren’t really like that, are you?” (p. 52-53, l. 36) The fact that she is such a modest person makes her behavior even more surprising and scandalous. It’s clear to see that Clara is a troubled young girl, who has some issues. In short, her behavior is an obvious cry for help. 2I think her erratic action stems from her very strained relationship with her mother. She is very well aware of the fact that her actions will be reported to her mother, and that’s exactly why she did it. Clara craves attention from her mother, who is very negligent of her. Clara’s mother is very inattentive to her daughters needs. She doesn’t take an interest in Clara’s life, and this causes their very superficial relationship: “Her mother was drinking tea and looking at a magazine “Hi!” she said. “Any news?” which was what she said most days. Clara said that there was no news and her mother went on reading.” (p. 53, l. 32) I also think the absence of a father figure in Clara life has had an effect on her. She has grown up with a negligent mother, and a “stepfather” who she dislikes. Stan is very intrusive towards Clara, and he makes her feel very uncomfortable: “When he saw her he said, “Wotcha! How’s tricks, then?” and Clara pulled her dressing gown more closely round her” (p.
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