Student Question
Why is the main character in "The Revolt of the 'Mother'" considered a round, dynamic character?
Quick answer:
The main character, Sarah Penn, is considered a round, dynamic character because she is fully developed with multiple traits and undergoes significant change. Initially, she is a compliant wife, but when her husband prioritizes building a barn over a promised new house, she takes decisive action by moving into the barn. This act of defiance marks her growth and change, showcasing her complexity and newfound strength, making her both relatable and transformative.
The main character is round and dynamic because she is fully developed and undergoes a change.
A round character is one where many traits are described. We know that Sarah Penn is stubborn, intelligent, articulate, and can think divergently.
When looking at the barn and the house, Sarah feels frustrated. She sees that the barn is much bigger and nicer.
The house, standing at right angles with the great barn and a long reach of sheds and out-buildings, was infinitesimal compared with them. It was scarcely as commodious for people as the little boxes under the barn eaves were for doves.
The barn is where her husband puts his priorities. He does not even tell his wife that he is building another barn. This infuriates her. While telling her daughter that she will someday learn that she will never be the equal of men, she is clearly irritated and frustrated.
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The barn is where her husband puts his priorities. He does not even tell his wife that he is building another barn. This infuriates her. While telling her daughter that she will someday learn that she will never be the equal of men, she is clearly irritated and frustrated.
A dynamic character is one that undergoes a change. Sarah Penn is a good housewife at the beginning of the story. She listens to her husband and fulfills her role as a good wife, but when her husband breaks his promise to build her a nice house and instead decides to build himself a barn, she revolts. This demonstrates her potential for change.
When her husband starts building the barn, Sarah finally confronts him.
I ain't never complained, an' I ain't goin' to complain now, but I'm goin' to talk plain.
When that does not work, she moves into the barn. Even when the minister comes, she holds her ground. She does not back down, and demonstrates a new strength equal to men, showing her growth as a dynamic character.
In "The Revolt of Mother," why are the main characters considered round and dynamic?
A round character is one who is most like real human beings because he/she is complex and has many sides to him/her. A dynamic character is one who changes from the beginning to the end of the story. He/she usually learns a lesson about life or other people that makes him/her a better person.
The main characters of this story are Adoniram, the father and husband, and Sarah, the mother and wife. Adoniram, in fulfilling his role as the "man of the house", rarely listens to his wife, Sarah. He makes important decisions without her, even though those decisions will affect her. After Sarah moves the whole house into the barn, however, Adoniram learns a valuable lesson about listening to his wife of forty years and tells her he didn't realize how much she wanted a bigger house. He grows as a character and changes. Sarah is a complex character because as a wife and mother, she plays the role expected of her. On the other hand, she refuses to let her husband renege on his promise to build her a bigger house, even though the promise was forty years ago. Sarah is also smart because she uses religion to justify moving into the barn. She won't allow Nanny to disrespect Adoniram, but in private, Sarah has no problem telling Adoniram about needing a larger house. When that doesn't work, Sarah has no problem going public by moving all of the contents of the house into the barn.