Clara

Outer characterization

The short story “Ice Cream” by Helen Dunmore reveals that Clara, the main character, is a 24-year-old fashion model (p. 83, l. 1). Her outer characterization shows that she is very beautiful: “Her beauty is warm, not cold. She is as tantalizing as the geography of Tahiti.” (p. 83, ll. 21-22). The reference to Tahiti suggests that Clara might be originally from Tahiti, which is reinforced by the description of her skin: “golden-skinned fourteen-year-old Clara” (p. 84, l. 13). Another reference to Tahiti is used when her blue eyes are described: “he feels as if he too is drowning, in the rare and lovely oceans of Tahiti.” (p. 85, ll. 28-29)

We are also given a description of Clara as a teenager (p. 84, ll. 12-14). At that time, Clara was – according to the fashion agencies – two stone overweight: “Come back when you’ve lost two stone” (p....