Characters

The most important characters in the short story “The Raft” by Peter Orner are the boy narrator and his grandfather, Seymour. The other active character in the short story is the grandmother, Phyllis, but she is only relevant for the way her husband relates to her.

The boy narrator

The grandson in the short story is also the main narrator. His outer characterization only reveals that he is soon to be thirteen (p. 124, l. 9) and is staying for the summer holiday with his father’s parents.

Inner characterization

His inner characterization is revealed through the way he depicts his grandfather and his interactions with the old man. Initially, the boy comes across as ironic towards his grandfather, mocking him for being short of memory: “My grandfather, who lost his short-term memory sometime during the first Eisenhower Administration, calls me into his study because he wants to tell me the story he's never told anybody before, again.” (p. 124, ll. 1-3)

However, the fact that he goes along with his grandfather’s story, although he has heard it many times before, acts interested and smiles when the old man smiles, indicates that he probably holds his grandfather dear:

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Seymour 

Seymour’s outer characterization reveals that he is an old, senile grandfather, who used to be a captain on a warship during World War II. We also know that he is married to a woman named Phyllis and that in the present moment they have a middle-class-like social life, dining out with friends: “"Oh, for God's sake, Seymour. We're meeting the Dewoskins at Twin Orchards at seven-thirty. Must you go back to the South Pacific?"” (p. 124, ll. 5-7)

Inner characterization

The man’s inner characterization is constructed through his interactions with his wife and grandson, but also through his wartime story and overall attitude to war. 

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