New Character Personality LIst

Characterization – Week Two



         I had decided to create a new character and to let divine intervention provide the spark.  That spark came this afternoon when I came across an old photo dated September 5, 1908.  It is a group of seven people, six girls to young women and one lone young man—who looks to be about sixteen.  I am sure that the eldest of the young women is my grandmother (on my father’s side) and the rest of the girls, her younger sisters.  But I haven’t a clue as to who the young man is.

         As I said, he is about sixteen.  He has light brown or dark blonde, wavy hair, deep set eyes and a wide, mischievous smile.  He is more sinewy than either slender or muscular.  His height—hum.  I know that my grandmother was over six feet.  He’s at least as tall as she is. 

He will be heading west to farm—I think, with the young woman next to him.  He is wearing long, dark pants and a white, collarless shirt.  The girl beside him is about the same age—and seems less frivolous and ‘girlie’ than her sisters.  She is wearing a dark, calico work apron over her Edwardian blouse and skirt.  His name is Jack and hers is Chloe.  (No, none of my great-aunts were named Chloe.  They just ‘told’ me those were their names.)  And, unfortunately, no—I can’t post the picture.  I’m still amazed I got one of the pictures from my computer onto my new bio page.



Character Questionnaire

1.          John Clinton; nickname – Jack

2.          He is not quite seventeen

3.          Height is about six feet

4.          Caucasian

5.          Human

6.          English/German stock

7.          Episcopal

8.          Attends church regularly but would rather work with his hands and ‘produce’ something

9.          He weighs about 175 lbs

10.          He is stronger than he looks

11.          Wavy, sandy brown hair

12.          Hazel eyes that crinkle when he smiles—which he does often

13.          Finished elementary school – but will read anything he can find – an old magazine; the newspaper or a novel—anything

14.          He is good with his hands – he can not only fix just about anything, but he is a good woodworker

15.          He has made Chloe a hope chest for her birthday – next month

16.          His smile is amazing.  It is wide—but not goofy—and there’s a mischievousness to it

17.          No birthmarks.  But he is missing the tip of a finger – to the first knuckle, middle finger, left hand – the result of a band saw accident as a child

18.          Jack is an orphan, who lives with his uncle –a handy man who works for the Waterbury’s.  They live on the property and help out at the wool mill as well.

19.          He has been living with his uncle for several years, and has grown up with the Waterbury girls.  They are all close friends to him (they think of him as the brother they don’t have) but he wants to be closest to the youngest girl—Chloe.

20.           He was born in New York City, –but now lives in Oxford, NY (a tiny community supported by the Waterbury Wool Mill)  He doesn’t remember much of his ‘big city’ life –and thinks of the Waterbury house as ‘home’

21.          He get all red and splotchy and sputters when he’s angry

22.          His biggest fear is that he will not succeed in life – not that he’s seeking greatness  He just wants to be able to provide a comfortable life for his wife and family He would never tell his uncle – because he always says that Jack’s father was a failure

23.          He would really like to learn to play the trumpet

24.          He is in love with Chloe Waterbury – she is his first and only love (but then they’re young)

25.          There is a braided rug beside his bed – a birthday gift from Chloe when they were younger – and a photo of his mother and father on his nightstand

26.          His feet are neither large nor small – they are calloused from going barefoot through the summer but clean  His socks are old but any holes have been neatly darned—by him  He wears an expensive pair of sturdy boots – they were a Christmas gift from the Waterbury’s and very much prized.  He never goes to sleep before carefully cleaning and polishing them – no matter how tired he might be

27.          The smells of Italian cheeses and salamis – he and his parent’s lived over an Italian grocery   

28.          The grocery owner would give him tastes of the sausages and cheeses, and on special occasions, cookies

29.          His mother never cooked very interesting foods – lots of boiled potatoes, basic meat,  and over-cooked vegetables—salt was his mother’s only spice and the only thing she might purchase from the store was the odd loaf of bread   

30.          Saturday noon—is half day at the mill  He’s making sure everything’s shut down and locked up

31.          His most vivid memory is of his father—his head on his arms on the kitchen table sobbing after Jack’s mother died

32.          Saturday night church social – a freshly ironed shirt, clean pair of trousers and a vest

33.          Jack’s pretty secure about who he is – if you asked him if he would like his finger tip back he’d answer with a shoulder shrug

34.          He’s not shy, but doesn’t mind being alone

35.          He is generally quiet, but laughs easily

36.          He is easy-going – slow to rile—but then, watch out

37.          He rarely get really ‘angry’ – but if something really ‘gets to him’ he does yard work – whether the grass needs cutting or the hedges need trimming, if he’s mad, they’re getting worked on

38.          He  rocks on the balls of his feet when he’s nervous or agitated

39.          He hates spiders – but will force himself to deal with them when necessary

40.          He once nearly drown, and is terrified of water

41.          His worse trait is that ‘sometimes’ he doesn’t really listen and then get frustrated when he does something wrong – or doesn’t do something

42.          He can’t stand blood – the result of the childhood accident – and isn’t much good in a ‘bloody’ emergency

43.          Chloe is about to finish high school and wants to teach – and her parents are willing and able to afford it – Jack would never try anything to stop her from doing what she wants

44.          But he really wants to marry her and go west – he’s spoken to Mr. Waterbury (who likes him very much) about going out to Montana  to farm – BUT he would also scout sheep farms for high quality wool for the mill

45.          He’s decided to wait until after Chloe graduates from high school to tell her that his plan to move before they’re married and look for a farm for them while he contracts with sheep farmer for their wool

46.          He can ride a horse – but isn’t very comfortable about it

47.          But he can drive any sort of buggy or wagon like no one else

48.          He worries about not knowing enough to keep Chloe’s attention – and is trying to learn all about animal husbandry and farming so he’s ‘ready’ to be a good husband and provider

49.          He’s had hard cider and beer a few times – tasted some wine once or twice – but isn’t interested in drinking whiskey (or anything else, really)

50.          He doesn’t smoke, but his uncle smokes a pipe and he likes the smell of the tobacco    He’s tried smoking on (secretly) but caught sight of his reflection in a window and felt foolish

51.          Because he’s been working at the mill (where the majority of workers are women) he really doesn’t have many good friends – just a few acquaintances 

52.          He doesn’t think he has a best friend and it doesn’t worry him

53.           He is too young to vote  but he follows politics – has for several years – and he thinks women should have the right to vote

54.          He was bitten by a dog as a small child and is afraid of them still  He hates that he is – thinks it’s unmanly  He also likes cats – their independent natures  But this also seems a little unmanly

55.          He’s a tapper – if he’s excited or nervous he’s going to rap or drum on whatever’s handy

56.          Promptness is VERY important to him