Name: ______

English 9: “A Secret for Two” by Quentin Reynolds

Character Analysis (major grade)

You will be writing a character analysis on Pierre using the character chart we filled out in class. You must pick two qualities that Pierre exhibits and two ways (techniques) the author uses to exhibit these qualities. You MUST write complete sentences, paragraphs, and examples to prove what you say.

Outline:

In “A Secret for Two,” by Quentin Reynolds, Pierre is ______(brief explanation of who he is, what he does, etc.). Pierre is portrayed as ______(quality

1) and ______(quality 2) by using ______(technique 1) and

______(technique 2).

Pierre is ______and the author uses ______to show this.

For example, when ______( ). This shows that ______.

Another example is ______( ). This means/This is because/This displays ______.

Pierre is ______and the author uses ______to show this.

For example, when ______( ). This shows that ______.

Another example is ______( ). This means/This is because/This displays ______.

The author is using two different techniques to reveal to the reader the character of Pierre.

He uses ______and ______to display the qualities of ______and ______.

This is a four (4) paragraph essay. No ifs, ands, or buts! Example of essay- NO you may not use this!!!

In “A Secret for Two,” by Quentin Reynolds, Jacques is the foreman of the stables for the Provincale Milk Company. He is in charge of the horses and the men who deliver milk. He is also in charge of keeping track of what is bought and sold for the company. Jacques is portrayed as considerate (quality 1) and understanding (quality 2) by using direct characterization (technique 1) and dialogue(technique 2).

Jacques is considerate and the author uses dialogue to show this. For example, Jacques knows that one of his drivers, Pierre, is getting older and should retire. When the president of the company comes to the stables, he says, “Pierre is a good man, Monsieur President, but his gets old. Would it be too bold of me to suggest that he be retired and be given perhaps a small pension?” (18). This shows that Jacques is being considerate of Pierre’s hard work and his growing older, and the author is using dialogue to get this point across. Another example that shows how considerate Jacques is, is when Pierre’s horse, Joseph, dies. Jacques tells him, “We’ll find another horse just as good as Joseph” (19). Jacques knows that Pierre was close to his horse and is suffering because he died. Jacque is trying to help him by telling him that they will replace his horse and he can become close to a new one. Jacques is being considerate of Pierre’s suffering.

Jacques understands his employee, Pierre, and the author uses direct characterization to show this. For example, “Most of the drivers had to make out the weekly bills and collect the money, but Jacques, liking Pierre, had always excused him from this task” (18). The author is using direct characterization to show that Jacques understands that Pierre cannot read or write, but is able to remember everything that his customers buy. He writes everything down for Pierre and knows that it will all work out. In another example, when Jacques let Pierre know he could retire, Pierre refused because he did not want to be separated from his horse and “Jacques, who was a kind man, understood” (18). Again, the author is telling the reader directly that Jacques understands how Pierre feels.

The author is using two different techniques to reveal to the reader the character of Jacques. He uses direct characterization and dialogue to display the qualities of consideration and understanding.