Charles Shirley Jackson Character Traits

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Laurie is a precocious Kindergartener who creates a fictional classmate named Charles, to cover up his inappropriate behavior at school. Laurie, from the short story “Charles” by Shirley Jackson, is a memorable character due to his many outstanding personality traits. Laurie’s mischievous behavior is one character trait that makes him unforgettable. In addition, his intelligence and his disrespect for his parents portray how essential Laurie is in the story. All in all, it is the collection of these traits that make Laurie such an indelible character.
Laurie’s mischievous personality leads to multiple rude encounters with his mother and father. For instance, upon arriving home from his first day of school, Laurie ate lunch and talked with his parents. During lunch, he spilled his sister’s milk. Laurie proceeded to talk without a …show more content…

In the beginning of the story, Laurie walks to school on his first day and does not wave to his mother. Laurie reaches the corner, and instead of stopping to wave goodbye, he continues on to school. The insolence he shows his mother is vital to the story, because it shows Laurie’s true character. Another way Laurie demonstrates disrespect is the way he speaks to his parents. The author describes how Laurie gets home from his first day of school; he has lunch, and talks to his parents. He speaks “coldly” to his parents, and then leaves the room without listening to what his father is saying. Furthermore, Laurie arrives home late from detention, and greets his parents impolitely. While sitting down for lunch, Laurie climbs into his chair at the table. “‘Hi, Pop, y’old dust mop”’(347). When Laurie greets his father, he is extremely rude. Laurie’s disrespect for his parents, especially the way he greets them, makes an impact on the reader. Overall, Laurie shows great dishonesty and rudeness to his

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