Characterisation of Lily

Lily Frears is the central character of the short story “Lost Boys” by Deborah Moggach, as the text presents various perspectives on her character (that of Ewan, and that of the narrator). She is only described from the point of view of others, so we do not know how she saw herself. At the time of the narration, she is dead, and the narrator recounts past events.

Outer characterisation

Her outer characterisation informs us that she was a painter and a part-time university teacher, who had several relationships and marriages, and one child, Ewan. Her physical appearance is also mentioned several times by the narrator:

“She’d been a beautiful girl, with ruddy skin and gypsy eyes.” (p. 33, ll. 8-9)

“When I first met Lily she was still lovely—old and bony, but with those large vague eyes: a face with a Past.” (p. 34, ll. 40-41)

“…a tall, striding figure, despite her age. She wore a straw hat and a faded orange dress. She looked so young from the back that it was a shock when she turned to wave.” (p. 37, ll. 4-7)

Inner characterisation

The woman’s inner characterisation is conveyed from the narrator’s and her son’s perspective.

Her son felt neglected by her as a child and describes her as “untrustworthy” (p. 34, l. 18). Indeed, the examples that Ewan gives from his childhood suggest that Lily was not a caring, responsible mother. She held parties that kept Ewan awake at night and caused him to skip school (p. 34, ll. 11-14), she sent Ewan to boarding ...