Antonia was a young girl of Bohemian ethnicity. She did not have quite the same raising as Jim did. Her family life was not a good one. She was quite the optimist because no matter how many problems in life she had, she always had a good attitude about it. She was a really good person.
As a result, she remains quiet instead of speaking out, which prevents her from being fully in control of situations when she confronts people, especially Lucy; Elinor is often dominated by the other characters. However, despite her passive disposition, Elinor keeps her relationships with other characters so stable that she earns herself the title of the one with sense throughout the book. One of Elinor’s greatest strengths is affection. Upon hearing people’s despair and anxiety, she is easily attached to the story she hears and shows a great concern in people. Elinor’s attitude is well portrayed throughout the novel, especially when Marianne is involved.
We are also shown this through how little others engage with her in group conversation and how what she says is shot down and many of the male characters in the novel mock her slightly. ‘The great composers of the past are able to do this…genius does not find its recognition quite as easily as that, Madame Azaire!’ This could be seen as the slight lack of respect that Madame Azaire has in the house hold, and how men are seen to be more intellectual then women. The character of Stephen is presented as being an observant and quiet young man who is somewhat mysterious. Throughout the first 40 pages or so of the novel, he creeps around and investigates. ‘Creep down the stairs’ – this shows a slightly concealed and eerie side to him.
The standard women in Light in August are all activists trying to do greater good for the community. Martha, who is Armstids wife, thinks she is an ideal woman because she is a faithful wife and gave birth to five kids in just six years and raised them all to man- and woman hood. She appears to be rude to Lena at first because she is pregnant and it is obvious that it is out of wedlock since she is travelling alone and without a ring. Martha does not approve of Lena’s choices and believes that Lena will be a burden to the whole community by setting an example of, if you get pregnant the community will help you just like her husband, Armstid, did. Most of the townswomen that Lena came in contact with were sour and had begrudging attentions when they saw her condition.
It was her mistake, so she is going to take on her responsibility, and be a great parent for her unborn child. She said, “If it was my choice i would have got pregnant after college” (Duval). Luckily, her boyfriend, her family and friends were unexpectedly supportive of this major change in Harley’s life. Everyone preached to Harley about how tough it would be with having a baby, she didn’t think anything of it. The only worry in their minds was Harley and her junior year of high school; hoping and expecting she would finish
She puts up with this day-to-day and seems not to get mad that often. Before Dona Rosa made that comment to Carolina, Carolina saw Dona Rosa chasing Carolina’s son with a stick and Carolina says, “A woman of 48 years is fighting with a child!” (De Jesus, p.7) This gives us the chance to see how much more mature Carolina is than the rest of the women. “Dona Silvia came to complain about my children. She said they were poorly educated.” (De Jesus, p. 7-8) Carolina has to deal with these comments made
She is a poet, author, playwright, civil rights activist and teacher, and a fearless storyteller. So it is a testament to Angelou’s enduring intellect and curiosity that she has a staggering list of achievements. Her extraordinary powers of observation have guided her professional and personal life. Raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and Stamps, Arkansas, her molestation as a young child, yet didn’t hinder her. These early years were the subject of her bestselling memoir.
Daphne is also quiet like Laurel but she expresses herself through poetry. It is through this poetry that Laurel finds her fascination with Daphne and tries to become her friend. In the process of trying to get close to Daphne, Laurel ends up mostly freaking her out and pushing her away and she understands, “that two quiet people like us were better off quiet alone” (Packer 40). While Laurel was with her Brownie Troop, she was mostly quiet because she was afraid to speak. Whenever she spoke, her words were only returned with a “shut up” or “whatever”.
Maggie was so shy and tried not to be seen or heard by anyone. Her scars and the little extra weight is what made her look so different from her sister. Dee was the pretty and thin one that had no worries about who and how people looked at her. She was always dressed as if she was ready for anything! “At sixteen she had a style of her own, and knew what style was.”{pg.257}.
Dee is attractive, stylish, & well educated – with some apparently portrayed traits of selfishness, brashness and excessive confidence. Her sister Maggie on the other hand is a relatively timid, and quiet young woman. She hasn’t received any formal education like her sister but has learned a few traditional skills, like quilting, from the family. Dee believes the quilts shouldn’t be used for warmth, but for the preservation of her African-American cultural ideals. This way, she could display them in her home; much akin to museum pieces.