William

William is another secondary character in the story “I Dare You” by Eileen Merriman.

William’s outer characterisation is constructed through the narrator’s description. Jane estimates that he is in his late thirties or early forties (l. 33). He has “floppy brown hair, a long face, an aquiline nose” (l. 32) and is wearing dark blue jeans (l. 34).

William claims that he is not married (l. 92) and that he is a businessman (l. 60). He later tells the girls that he is a sales representative for a drug company (l.146), but the story suggests that he actually deals in illegal drugs.

William's inner characterisation gradually reveals that he is a dangerous man. When we first encounter him, he is “leaning against the Porsche, speaking into his phone.” (l. 28). Carrie suggests that he is looking at them, and Jane secretly agrees (l. 27). This suggests that he is already interested in the girls and that he might have been planning on picking them up even if they had not asked for a ride. The fact that he is looking at young girls this way immediately indicates his lack of morality. This is further emphasised when he accepts Jane’s request to take them for a ride.

From the beginning of their encounter, he begins to talk to girls playfully and flirts with Carri...