Characterisation of Tess

The short story “Ray the Rottweiler” by Alice Jolly features several characters: Tess, Adam, Josh, Ray, police officers, and the collective character of the local community. Tess and Ray are the most important characters, so we will only focus on them in this study guide. However, you should remember that the other characters are important for the social setting.

Tess is both the narrator and the main character in the story. The plot is focused on the way Tess relates to the people around her (Ray, her son, her husband, and the police).

Tess’s outer characterisation informs us that she is married and has a son with health problems, and that she moved recently to Black Covert Cottage (l. 36): “We used to live in Worcester, I tell him. But we – that’s me and my husband Adam –neither of us liked the city and so we came here.” (ll. 49-50)

Inner characterisation

Tess’s inner characterisation is conveyed both directly (self-characterisation) and indirectly through her actions and attitude. For instance, Tess describes herself in the following way: “Just to be clear – I’m not the home-made-biscuit type, or the sociable-calls-on neighbours type.” (ll. 14-15)

Tess probably decides to visit Ray out of both curiosity and a feeling of social obligation. Even if the man has a bad reputation in the community, he is her nearest neighbour: “…Ray the Rottweiler, three fields away and down a track, is our only neighbour. So I felt I ought to try. But now that I’m getting closer I’m beginning to wonder.” (ll. 16-18)

However, at the sight of Ray’s property which seems overpopulated with dogs, Tess begins to doubt her decision. Still, Tess overcomes her repulsion and manages to introduce herself to Ray. The way she describes him suggests she pities Ray: “…then the back of a man, narrow and frail, in a dirty white T-shirt.” (ll. 26-27)

Tess’s conversation with Ray suggests she feels the impulse to share things with Ray, although their communication is complicated by Ray’s speech deficiency. She tells Ray personal details, probably because she needs someone to talk to about her problems:

The thing is he had to go when he was only just four and really he was too little and the other kids. Well. I find it hard to say more. I don’t know why I’ve said as much as I have. (ll. 56-58)

Tess’ attitude towards her sick son indicates she is a protective mother, even over-protective. She walks him in a pushchair although we find out that he is perfectly capable of running at the end of the story (166-167).

Tess is happy that Ray and Josh seem to form a friendship and “play a game of finger chase along the links of the fence” (ll. 61-62); “Ray likes Josh, he doesn’t seem to notice the red patches ...