Characterization of Michael

Outer characterization

Michael is the main character and narrator of the short story “Sea Defences” by Hilary Taylor. His exact age is not mentioned in the story, but we learn that he has been looking after children for 29 years (l. 34). Furthermore, at the time when he met Hannah Bird, Michael had already “left school four years before” (l. 75). 

Michael’s appearance is not described in the story. We only find out that he has mental issues and that his self-appointed ‘job’ of protecting children makes him feel less guilty about Hannah’s death. The story also shows that Michael used to be fascinated with fossils (l. 85) and used to collect shark teeth (l. 138). He lives with his mother in a house that is close to the sea.

Inner characterization

The most important part of Michael’s inner characterization is his mental illness and the way it makes him relate to his surroundings. The story never states that Michael suffers from a mental illness or disability, probably because Michael himself ...

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