Characterisation of other characters
Now, we will focus on the characters of Martin and Katie from the short story “Weekend” by Fay Weldon.
Martin
Martin is a secondary character in the story, presented from Martha’s perspective.
His outer characterisation informs us that he is a middle-class “freelance designer” (l. 22), married to Martha with whom he has three children. His physical portrait is also conveyed, through Martha’s eyes: “…look into his crinkly, merry, gentle eyes; see it there. So the mouth slopes away into something of a pout.” (ll. 153-155)
Inner characterisation
Martin’s inner characterisation is revealed through his actions, and through his attitudes towards Martha and his friends.
His actions suggest that he is selfish and entitled. Throughout the story, he does very little to help Martha with house chores, although he occasionally pretends he wants to help: “When everything was ready in the car Martin would switch off the television, come downstairs, lock up the house, front and back, and take the wheel.” (ll. 4-6); “Then clear up the supper: set the dough to prove for the bread: Martin already in bed: exhausted by the drive and lighting the fire.” (ll. 207-208)
His attitude towards his wife indicates that he is frustrated by the fact that she has a career. He claims to be ok with it, but he indirectly punishes Martha for working by making her pay for the house cleaner or the weekend getaways from her own wages:
If Martha chose to go out to work - as was her perfect right, Martin allowed, even though it wasn't the best thing for the children,...
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Katie
Katie is a secondary, episodic character in the short story. She appears in the second half of the narrative and is presented from Martha’s perspective.
Outer characterisation
According to her outer characterisation, she is young and beautiful, and she used to be Colin’s employee until he left his wife for her: “Katie was languid, beautiful and elegant. She drawled when she spoke. Her hands were expressive: her feet were little and female. She had no children.” (ll. 230-232)
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Inner characterisation
Katie’s inner characterisation is conveyed through her actions and attitude towards Martha and the other characters.
First, the wet towel incidents suggest that Katie is pretentious and critical. She is bothered by a wet towel in the bathroom and the next time she brings her own designer towel and is bothered when she finds it wet again.
The fact that Katie prefers the company of men, suggests that she is flirtatious: “Katie talked with the men and went for walks with the men, and moved her ashtray rather impatiently when Martha tried to clear the drinks round it.” (ll. 253-255)
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