Characters

The most important character in the short story “Number 40” by Sarah Butler is Melissa. Most of the other characters are either absent from the action (Simon, his work colleague) or secondary (the neighbour).

Melissa

Melissa is the main character in the short story.

Outer characterisation

According to her outer characterisation, she is engaged to a man named Simon (l. 74-75), they live in a big house (35-37) which suggests they are relatively well-off, and she works in an office. Her physical portrait is also conveyed and suggests a shadowy appearance: “Underneath the fluorescent lights her face was pasty white. Even her hands, when she rubbed them against her cheeks to try and conjure up a bit of colour, looked like they'd been refrigerated.” (ll. 27-29)

This might imply that she is dreaming or that she is a ghost (dead), as she appears cold and pale. Or, it could merely mean that her life is uneventful and boring.

Inner characterisation

Melissa’s inner characterisation presents her as a forgetful person (l. 1) who is stressed and frustrated with most aspects of her life: her job, the new house, and her relationship.

At her job, she feels underappreciated and does not have any prospects for promotion: “She couldn't afford to miss the team meeting ‒ it was hard enough getting noticed in that place, never mind promoted.” (ll. 7-...