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Chapter 13: Building Character with Objects and Possessions
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Quite why the pork pie reminds Trant of a headless chicken is a bit obscure –
but people do think in peculiar, indirect ways. Sometimes an object can make
a person think of another one that’s connected in some way, however personal
the association.
Try this exercise to explore ways of using objects to trigger memories and
take the reader back to different times in a character’s life:
1. Divide your page into six sections.
2. Pick half a dozen objects in your character’s home and write one in
each box, making sure that each one relates to a different phase of
your character’s life.
3. Write a memory that each object triggers.
Oh . . . and don’t forget to flip to Chapter 3 for loads more on characters’
memories.
Representing Characters:
Objects as Symbols
You can add depth and subtlety to your fiction by using objects to symbolise
a character. The object concerned can be something that the character
values highly or is never seen without.
In William Golding’s 1954 novel Lord of the Flies, Piggy’s glasses represent intellect
and the power of science – they’re used to focus the sun’s rays and make
a fire. When they’re broken, it implies that another link with civilisation has
been lost. It also foreshadows something bad happening to Piggy, because the
glasses are seen almost as an extension of Piggy himself.
Some objects almost become extensions of ourselves – you only need to look
at how some people react to a minute scratch on their precious car! Find out
more about your character through this exercise:
1. Write about an object that your character is seldom seen without. It
can be a watch, mobile phone, purse, wallet, bag, piece of jewellery, an
item of clothing, a cosmetic, a packet of tissues – anything your character
feels lost without.
2. Write about your character mislaying this object. What does she do
and how does she react? Does she find the object or learn to make do
without it?