Douglas

Outer characterisation

The protagonist of the short story is a man named Douglas. Douglas’ outer characterisation tells us that he is 28 years old. He dresses modestly, and he is losing his hair (p. 79, ll. 23-24). He makes an effort with his appearance when he goes into London to meet Michelle for the last time, buying a new suit and getting a more fashionable haircut.

Douglas lives with his Aunt Sheila in the suburbs – more specifically, in Meadowfields (p. 81, l. 35), where he moved because of his parents’ divorce (p. 76, ll. 6-7). He has a sister (p. 77, l. 37), works in the neighbourhood advice bureau, drives a Fiat, and sleeps with a woman who works in the local supermarket (p. 76, ll. 23-25).

Inner characterisation

The protagonist’s inner characterisation is constructed through his language, his thoughts, and his actions.

As a child, Douglas felt misunderstood and ignored by his parents and other relatives: “I’d been (…) sent to a corner to be seen and not heard. I was nine years old, and I understood a lot more than they realized.” (p. 78, ll. 15-17).

As an adult, Douglas is resentful of the friends who, unlike him, left for London. Seeing them makes him feel abandoned again: “my old school chums, my pals-for-life, my mates, my blood brothers will check their watches (…) and leave me for the second time” (p. 76, ll. 30-32)

He hates London (p. 77, ll. 2-3), as he believes it is a dangerous place (p. 78, ll. 23-24). For Douglas, it was easier to be passive than try and change his life (p. 78, ll. 29-32). His words also suggest that he is unwi...