Archie

Next, we will present you the main traits of Archie, the main character and first-person narrator in “Eel” by Stefanie Seddon.

Outer characterisation

Archie's outer characterisation tells us that he is a 7- or 8-year-old boy (ll. 7-8). Throughout the story, there are various references to his physical appearance. For example, as Ted tasks him to push the caught eels on the shore, we learn that Archie had an empty sugar bag wrapped around his arm (l. 18) and that he rolled up his shorts (l. 24).

The narrator later remarks: “I was light as a puff of cocoa” (l. 83), which indicates he was a small, thin boy. Other references to his small frame can be found as the narrator describes how his “skinny arm” (l. 124) was trapped in the eel’s mouth and in his brother Pat’s remark that Archie would not have been “much of a meal” (l. 126) for the eel.

At the end of the fishing trip, Archie is left bruised and wet: “My legs were scratched, my ankles bruised. Wet clothes clung to my bony frame.” (ll. 129-130). Finally, towards the end of the story, we find a reference to Archie’s “wrapped up arm.” (l. 143)

Inner characterisation

Archie’s inner characterisation is constructed through his perspective on the events he experienced and through his language, actions, and attitude.

From the beginning of the story, we find out that Archie learned an important lesson the day when he went eel fishing with his brothers (ll. 1-3).

Then, we find out Archie is a confident boy, because he asks for what he wants. First, he begs his mother to go fishing with his brothers (ll. 5-6) and then is straightforward with his big brothers about deserving to participate in the captur...