Character Sketch from BSEB Class 12 English Chapter 9 – The Earth of Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Johnson, Benjy, Florence, and Sanders
A character sketch defines what the character is like and how he/she evolves or develops throughout the story. In this post you can find the Character Sketch of Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Johnson, Benjy, Florence, and Sanders from BSEB Class 12 English Rainbow Book Chapter 9 The Earth
- Character sketch of Mr. Johnson
- Questions related to the Character of Mr. Johnson
- Character Sketch of Mrs. Johnson
- Questions related to the Character of Mrs. Johnson
- Character Sketch of Benjy
- Questions related to the Character of Benjy
- Character Sketch of Florence
- Questions related to the Character of Florence
- Character Sketch of Sanders
- Questions related to the Character of Sanders
Related:
Character Sketch of Mr. Johnson
Mr. Johnson is described as a tenant farmer who has a four-acre piece of land. He is a man of faith, believing that the God who created the world will also take care of it. He is content with whatever little the land gives him, despite the land being worn out. He is a local preacher who speaks with the villagers. He takes extra care of his only son, Benjy, even while making sacrifices for him. Mr. Johnson is kind to him, even though Benjy acts selfishly and disappoints him. Mr. Johnson’s unshakable faith and laziness is a major part of his suffering.
Questions related to the Character of Mr. Johnson:
- How does Mr. Johnson’s faith affect the way he farms and his life as a whole?
- What do Mr. Johnson’s feelings and actions towards Benjy reveal about the character of Mr. Johnson?
Character Sketch of Mrs. Johnson
Mrs. Johnson is a nurturing and caring mother who shares her husband’s love and concern for their son, Benjy. She took part in the decision to buy hens for Benjy with the hopes of giving him a sense of responsibility. Throughout the story, Mrs. Johnson is a silent sufferer, suffering much like Mrs. Miller; she bears the impact of Benjy’s actions. Mrs. Johnson represents hope and maternal love, even when she is faced with adversity.
Questions connected to Mrs. Johnson’s character:
- In what ways does Mrs. Johnson’s behaviour show her role as a mother character in the story?
- What do Mrs. Johnson’s responses to Benjy’s actions suggest about her character?
Character Sketch of Benjy
Benjy is the protagonist, and in the beginning, his parents regard him as a simpleton. He has a strong passion for hens, which evolves into a profitable business. Throughout the rest of the story, it is clear that Benjy is egocentric and lacks an emotional connection. Benjy’s desire for success in his business and personal desires mattered more than his parents’ well-being or what their home meant to them. In the end, Benjy loses his parents as a result of his parents’ and Benjy’s selfish agendas. Benjy illustrates the complexities of human behaviours and the effects of ambition unchecked.
Questions related to the Character of Benjy:
- How has Benjy’s metamorphosis throughout the story, when he sees his parents the engage with him, affected their relationship with him?
- What aspects of Benjy’s character further his actions contradict his initial character perception?
Character Sketch of Florence
Florence is presented as Benjy’s wife, whom he marries against his parents’ consent. She is characterised as manipulative, domineering, and influential to Benjy in the sense that she distances him further from their family unit. Florence does not respect her in-laws, and she actively works to turn Benjy against them, and these actions impact the events that lead to the tragic result in the story. Florence was the catalyst in the disruption of the family unit.
Questions about the Character of Florence:
- What does Florence do to change the dynamic of Benjy’s family?
- What is the effect of Florence’s influence on Benjy on the events in the story?
Character Sketch of Sanders
Sanders is a landowner from whom Benjy has bought property to increase his poultry business. While not very well elaborated on in the story, Sanders is an example of the opportunities on which Benjy acts to further his business. He serves as a foil to Benjy in that Sanders’s character is secondary to Benjy’s ambition and willingness to do what it takes to be successful.
Questions related to the Character of Sanders:
- What is Sanders’s role in contributing to the expansion of business for Benjy?
- What does the transaction between Sanders and Benjy mean in terms of the story?
