Alex

Alex is the second important character in the short story “The Lunar Coast” by Megan McGrath.

Outer characterisation

Alex's outer characterisation is conveyed using Lee’s perspective. Like Lee, Alex comes from generations of fishermen.

Unlike Lee, he is physically more adapted to life on the coast: “Like his father, he was practically made of salt. He was careless in the sun, his shoulders browned to a crisp, his dark hair matted and lips chapped. His feet were broad and tough.” (ll. 26-28).

As a young adult, living on the coast without the fishing occupation he had expected affected Alex’s body: “…he had developed a paunch. His body sagged in a way I had never imagined it could.” (ll. 152-153).

At the same time, instead of becoming a fisherman, Alex becomes a tour guide because of the absence of the tide: “I'd heard through my family that Alex had taken a job as a tour guide, driving the coast, pointing out nail-tail wallabies and spinifex.” (ll. 109-110).

Inner characterisation

Alex’s inner characterisation is conveyed using Lee’s point of view, through his actions and attitude. Alex develops differently from Lee, growing up to be frustrated by nature because he stayed in the village and could not become a fisherman as a result of the absence of the tide.

Relationship with Lee

The most important character-building relationship in the story is Alex and Lee’s friendship.

As children, the boys felt, thought, and did the same things, suggesting their characters were similar. Like Lee, Alex was innocent, curious, and adventurous: “In those days we were ageless. Time melted away, only to be revealed in the evening by the extent of our sunburn...