Polly

Your second exam question asks you to focus specifically on Polly’s characterisation in “The Christmas Tin” by Amanda Crai…

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Inner characterisation

Polly’s outer characterisation also contributes to her inner characterisation, which is realised through the narration and the dialogue with her son, Robbie.

The description above indicates that she is dissatisfied with her physical appearance. Her preoccupation with appearance is also suggested by her detailed observation about the physical shape of soldiers, which would make her fear them (ll. 33-37).

The narrator suggests that Polly is a submissive person. Although dissatisfied with the fact that she is repeatedly expected to give money for charity, she quickly agrees to do so:

‘You will buy something, won’t you?’ Robbie asked his mother. ‘It’s for charity.’
Yes, Polly agreed meekly. Although it was possibly the twentieth time that year she had been expected to hand over money for some cause or other, she would find some pretext to give £5 or £10 or £20 of her earnings to it. (ll. 4-7)

Her submissive attitude is also shown in her relationship with her children. For example, her son is disrespectful towards her at the fête, telling her: “ ‘You can’t open your mouth without saying something stupid.’ ” (ll. 58-59). Later in the story, we are told that “her own authority on any subject was questioned, then derided” (ll. 74-75) by her children, who also consider her job to be pointless (ll. 81-82), especially since she earns very little money (ll. 78…