Characterization of the Giant

The Giant is the main character in the short story “The Selfish Giant” by Oscar Wilde. His outer characterization reveals that he is a fantastic creature who befriends creatures just like him, like the Cornish ogre (p. 1, ll. 9-10). He has a “gruff voice” (p. 1, l. 14), and he lives in a castle (p. 1, l. 12). He has been away from home for seven years (p. 1, l. 10).

The Giant’s inner characterization shows that he is selfish (p. 2, l. 1). When he returns home after seven years, he notices the children playing in his garden, and he sends them away: “ 'My own garden is my own garden,' said the Giant; 'any one can understand that, and I will allow nobody to play in it but myself’ ” (p. 1, ll. 16-18). 

As time goes by, the Giant cannot understand t...