Characterization of Arnold

Arnold Curwing is the main character of the short story “The Stone Boy” by Gina Berriault. His outer characterization reveals that he is nine years old (p. 1, l. 3) and that he has two older siblings, Nora (p. 2, l. 3) and Eugene (p. 1, l. 2). We also get to know that Arnold lives on a farm with his siblings and parents (p. 2, l. 14).

Arnold’s defining trait is that he is uncertain about how to feel or act and takes his cues from the people around him. The first thing that we find out about Arnold is that he looks up to his brother  (p. 2, ll. 1-7). The story also indicates that Arnold feels inferior to Eugene, which is illustrated mainly after Arnold shoots his brother, as he immediately feels “foolish” (p. 2, l. 36) and expects to be mocked by Eugie for getting his gun caught in the fence wire. The idea that Arnold may be jealous of Eugene – even if unconsciously – is suggested by the sheriff, who implies that Arnold may have shot Eugene on purpose.

When he realizes that Eugene is dead, Arnold does not know how to react...