Almost A Man: Dave's Characterization Essay

Dave Wrights Characterization

Perrines Literature book states that there are 3 basic principles of characterization to make a character and story convincing. It says the first trait is creating convincing character behavior. The second would be detailing a characters words and activities spring from motivations readers can understand and believe. Third principle being that the character must be plausible and life-like. These three beliefs make the characters and the story more believable. Capturing the readers attention and leaving everlasting memories in their mind for years to come. I believe that the character of Dave Wright in the story Almost a Man does exhibit these basic 3 principals, by creating a convincing charter, keeping his actions intact with his motivations, and giving him the like-like qualities that any reader can relate with.

When reading Almost a Man Dave Wrights character is not real complex. Hes a guy Im sure we have all come across at one point or another. Simply just a country boy who is believes he is ready to undertake all of life as he sees it. Still dependent on his mother and father more that he can comprehend. When the author wrote this story they defiantly understood how to make his character more of a stock character. This element kept him likeable, without being too flashy in my opinion. His behavior further backed this up as he was just not mature enough to handle real world situations and consequences.

Dave had a few different motivations in this story. His most predominate motivation was to become a man. This led him to his antagonist of the story, the gun. One of these days he was going to get a gun and practice shooting and then they couldnt talk to him as if he were a little boy. His decision to hide the gun from his mother after he has gotten it, is something we can all relate too. We have all hidden things from our parents before when we thought we knew what was best for us in our own lives. By lying and making up the story after he had shot the mule, makes it more relatable. I love the way this author developed his character by his indirect presentation of Dave.

The author couldnt have made a more relatable character than Dave. As a teenager we all had a spirit of lust for becoming an adult, without quite knowing what we are in for. This is a time when most of us feel most alive. I believe this is why young adult fiction is so popular. Its a beautiful age full of first loves, triumphs and failures. A wonderful time of adventure and exploration that everyone can relate with. Dave want to be feared and respected is something that in his young mind he doesnt understand quite yet. This makes him so believable to the reader that you cant help but sympathize with him. When he jumps on the train, I know thats something we have all wanted to do at one point or another, to try and escape our own persecution.

This author did a wonderful job of developing Daves characterization, by making him likeable, lifelike and relatable. Threw his journey, the author reminds us all what it is like to be like Dave and have that urge to be grown. His dynamic characterization coupled with his indirect presentation makes Dave, not just a character in a story, but someone we know and can empathize with. It even makes me wonder, what became of Dave after he hopped aboard that train?