Lesson 20

[William Whelan]

William Whelan – Character Relationships

Betty: naïve, secretive, ambitious, independent,

Grandpa: non-conformist, reflective, outgoing, peacemaker.

Jim: controlling, territorial, caring, self-righteous.

Lance: selfish, devious, carefree, manipulative

Betty/ Grandpa – Betty’s independence meshes well with Grandpa’s non-conforming, her secretiveness conflicts with Grandpa as peacemaker, her naivete contrasts with Grandpa ability to be outgoing, and her ambition is in competition with Grandpa’s penchant for reflection. The subtext is that Betty uses her grandfather to assert her independence from her father. Trait change: naïve to outgoing.

Betty/Jim – Betty’s naivete works well with Jim’s caring since it blinds her to the downside of him being overprotective. Her independence conflicts with Jim’s controlling nature, her secretiveness conflicts with Jim’s self-righteousness and her ambition competes with Jim being territorial. The sub text is Betty does not want to follow the career path Jim wants her to follow. Trait change: secretive to caring.

Betty/Lance –Betty’s secretiveness has rapport with Lance’s deviousness since it prevents each from seeing the other’s true intentions, her ambition conflicts with Lance’s carefree nature, her naivete contrasts with his manipulative behavior, and her independence competes with his selfishness. The subtext is that Betty is unable to distinguish infatuation from true love. Trait change: naïve to distrustful

Grandpa/Jim – Grandpa’s reflectiveness is in sync with Jim’s caring, his non-conformity contrasts with Jim’s controlling nature, his outgoing nature contrasts with Jim being territorial, and him being the peacemaker is in competition with Jim’s self-righteousness. Trait change: reflective to conciliatory.

Grandpa/Betty – Grandpa’s non-conformist works well with Betty’s independence, his being outgoing conflicts with her secretiveness, his reflectiveness contrasts with her naivete, and his peacemaking is in competition with her ambition, The subtext is Grandpa is trying to make-up his short comings as a father by helping betty follow her dreams. Trait change: non-conformist to mentor.

Grandpa/Lance – Grandpa’s non-conformity meshes with Lance’s carefree nature, his ability to reflect conflicts with Lance’s deviousness, his outgoing contrasts with Lance’s selfishness and his peacemaker is in competition with Lance’s manipulative behavior. The subtext is Grandpa’s sees his younger self in Lance. Trait change: outgoing to adviser.

Jim/Betty – Jin has a rapport between his caring and her naivete in that they both value the family relationship. There is a conflict between Jin’s controlling and Betty’s independence, Jim’s self-righteousness contrasts with Betty being secretive, and there is competition between Betty’s ambition and Jim being territorial. The subtext is that Jim uses his control over Betty to get back at his father. Trait change: controlling to understanding. Trait change: devious to supportive,

Jim/Grandpa – Jim’s caring and Grandpa’s peacemaker behavior mesh. Jim’s controlling behavior and Grandpa’s non-conformist attitude conflict, Jim being territorial contrasts with Grandpa being outgoing, Jim and his self-righteousness competes with Grandpa being reflective. Trait change: self-righteous to reflective.

Jim/Lance — Jim’s caring and Lance’s selfish behavior coincide because both put themselves first. Jim’s controlling behavior and Lance being carefree conflict, Jim’s self-righteousness and Lance’s deviousness contrast, and Jim’s being territorial competes with Lance’s manipulation. The subtext is Jim resents Lance’s lifestyle. Trait change: self-righteous to tolerant.

Lance/Betty – Lance’s deviousness and Betty’s secretiveness coincide. Lance’s manipulative behavior conflicts with Betty’s naivete, his carefree behavior contrasts with her ambition, and his selfishness competes with her independence. Trait change: selfish to caring.

Lance/Jim – Lance’s selfishness and Jim being territorial coincide. Lance carefree conflicts with Jim’s controlling, his deviousness contrasts with Jim’s self-righteousness, and his manipulative behavior competes with Jim’s caring. Trait change: devious to supportive.

Lance/Grandpa – Lance’s carefree behavior meshes with Grandpa being a non-conformist. His manipulative behavior conflicts with Grandpa being a person of reflection, his selfishness contrasts with Grandpa being outgoing and his deviousness competes with Grandpa being a peacemaker. Trait change: manipulative to genuine.

What I learned doing this assignment was to examine, evaluate, and modify my character’s traits to improve my writing.