Lisa

Lisa is another important character in the short story “The Silver Bell” by David Evans. She is married to Nick, Mrs Mackenzie’s son, and has a daughter, Tilly (p. 112, ll. 41-43). According to Mrs Mackenzie, Lisa grew up in England in the 1970s; as the story takes place in 1994, Lisa is probably in her mid-20s or early 30s. Lisa’s outer characterization is created through Mrs Mackenzie’s eyes and tells us that she has “jaggedly cut red hair and skimpy shorts of matching colour” and “pert breasts bouncing under her thin T-shirt” (p. 113, l. 3).

Lisa is a modern young woman with liberal views. This is suggested through her modern physical appearance as well as throughout her dialogue with Mrs Mackenzie. She calls her mother-in-law by her first name which suggests that Lisa believes in equality in a family (p. 113, ll. 4-5). Moreover, she does not hesitate to contradict Mrs Mackenzie whenever she disagrees with her (p. 114, ll. 38-39). This suggests that Lisa is a straightforward person with clear pri...