Characterization of Sherry

Outer characterization

The main character in Chad Pelley’s story “I Don’t Dream of Genie” is Sherry, who is also the narrator. Sherry is a 33-year old Jewish woman who works as a Santa in a shopping mall. She describes herself physically and implies that she is in some ways good looking: “in the right dress, I turn a few heads” (l. 10). However, she is also frustrated with many aspects of her appearance, especially the toll her job as a mall Santa takes on her body. 

Her thighs are bruised because of the children who sit on her lap, and her ears ring because of the children’s shouting in her ear throughout her six-hour-long shifts (ll. 10-14). In addition to that, the fake beard she has to apply gives her a rash and acne, making her chin look red (ll. 16-19). She also has a broken toe from the accident which happened last Christmas, for which she received no medical attention (ll. 126-127)...