Ted

Ted is a secondary character in the short story “Eel” by Stefanie Seddon. Ted is not a developing character, as he does not change by the end of the story.

His outer characterisation is brief and is realised through Archie's description: “He’d come out of the sheds all lean and muscled (...)” (ll. 9-10); he was “trampling the ferns under his big shearer’s boots” (ll. 66-67).

Inner characterisation

His inner characterisation is also realised through Archie’s point of view. Throughout the story, there are various moments which reveal the relationship between Ted and Archie and contribute to Ted’s characterization.

First, we learn that Ted comes back from spring sheering with a new attitude. Archie suggests he was arrogant and eager to show off his knowledge of the Maori way of catching eels: “Ted was just back (…) and full of it. (…) saying the Maori words a different way to the rest of us. He said we’d catch our eels the Maori way too” (ll. 9-11).

As the brothers set up their fishing spot, Ted comes up with the “bright idea” (l. 19) of giving Archie the task to push the caught eels onto the shore. However, this is a prank planned by Ted and the twins, who take advantage of Archie’s lack of experience. Ted is also manipulative, exp...