Comprehensive Character Analysis and Setting Descriptions: Wall of Fire
11 views 1 purchase
Course
Approaches to Literature
Institution
Senior / 12th Grade
Dive deep into the complex world of "Wall of Fire" with this comprehensive guide that explores the multifaceted characters, intricate themes, and symbolic elements within the narrative. This document offers a detailed analysis of the main characters, including Guy, Lili, and Little Guy, each portra...
A. Guy
a. Role:
i. Guy is a father and husband in the second passage.
ii. He is the father of Little Guy and is married to Lili.
b. Physical Description:
i. Guy is described as having spiky hair and an angular hairline.
ii. He's seen as fully clothed, indicating a sense of modesty or reserve.
iii. Later in the story, his face is described as bloodied after a tragic event.
c. Personality Traits:
i. Guy is depicted as a caring and affectionate father.
ii. He displays a sense of playfulness and enjoys spending time with his son,
especially engaging in activities like playing games.
iii. Responsible:
1. Guy takes on the task of helping Lili with household chores like
spreading the mat and tucking in blankets.
iv. Determined:
1. He expresses a desire to work at the sugar mill, even though the
jobs are scarce.
v. Dreamer:
1. Guy is fascinated by the hot-air balloon and expresses a desire to
fly it. This shows a dreamy, imaginative side.
vi. Caring:
1. He comforts Lili and tries to console her when she's worried about
their son's future.
d. Desires and Interests:
i. Guy has a keen interest in the hot-air balloon owned by the Assad family.
ii. He seems captivated by the idea of flying it and expresses confidence in
his ability to make it fly.
e. Background:
i. Guy was born near the sugar mill, suggesting a connection to the place.
ii. He has a strong tie to the idea of working there, perhaps as a way of
affirming his identity.
f. Conflict:
i. Guy's desire to work at the sugar mill, especially in contrast to Lili's
concerns about their son's future, creates a conflict.
ii. This represents a clash of dreams and practicalities.
g. Tragic End:
i. Guy's decision to fly the balloon ultimately leads to his tragic death.
ii. This act underscores his yearning for something new, a desire that
ultimately costs him his life.
,B. Lili
a. Role:
i. Lili is Guy's wife and the mother of Little Guy.
ii. She plays a supportive role in the family, and her interactions with Guy
and Little Guy reflect a loving and close-knit family dynamic.
b. Attitude Towards Little Guy:
i. Lili is attentive to Little Guy's needs, such as his desire to practice lines
for a play.
ii. She encourages him in his role and seems proud of him.
c. Personality Traits:
i. Caring and Protective:
1. She is deeply concerned about their son's future and opposes the
idea of putting him on the list for work at the sugar mill.
2. She also rushes to her son's side when he's distressed about
forgetting his lines.
ii. Practical and Realistic:
1. Lili is more grounded and practical compared to Guy.
2. She worries about their son's well-being and future prospects.
iii. Supportive:
1. She supports her husband's dreams, even if they seem
unrealistic.
2. She allows him to pursue his desire to fly the balloon.
d. Conflict:
i. Lili's concerns about their son's future and her hesitation about Guy's
dreams create a tension in their relationship.
ii. She wants practical stability, while Guy yearns for something more
adventurous.
e. Tragic Loss:
i. Lili experiences a devastating loss with Guy's death.
ii. Her final moments with him, trying to find a familiar sign in his eyes, show
the depth of her grief.
C. Little Guy
a. Role:
i. Little Guy is Guy and Lili's seven-year-old son.
ii. He is a central figure in the second passage.
b. Personality Traits:
i. Little Guy is described as enthusiastic and eager.
ii. He's excited about his role in the play and is diligent in practicing his lines.
iii. He also seeks his father's attention and enjoys playing games.
iv. Talented:
1. The boy is skilled at memorizing lines for a play, which earns him
praise from both his parents.
v. Sensitive:
, 1. He is deeply affected by his father's death, struggling to come to
terms with it.
vi. Loving:
1. He is close to both his parents and seeks their approval.
c. Desires and Goals:
i. Little Guy is passionate about his role as Boukman in the play.
ii. He diligently studies his lines and is eager to perform.
d. Conflict:
i. The boy's desire to perform and potentially follow in his father's footsteps
at the sugar mill presents a conflict for Lili, who wants a different future for
him.
e. Loss and Grief:
i. The boy experiences a profound loss with his father's death.
ii. His emotional response to this tragedy is palpable, as seen in his
recitation of lines expressing sorrow.
Minor Characters:
A. Gendarme (Mentioned in Context of the Sugar Mill)
a. Role:
i. The gendarme is mentioned in relation to the nightly news event near the
sugar mill.
ii. They turn off the television set after the state-sponsored news broadcast.
b. Actions and Role:
i. The gendarme's role is primarily to control the access to the television
set, ensuring that it is turned off after the news.
ii. Their presence creates a routine for the shantytown dwellers.
B. The Factory Foreman:
a. Role and Function:
i. The factory foreman is a minor character who works at the sugar mill.
ii. He is responsible for overseeing the workers and is present when Guy's
tragic accident occurs.
b. Physical Description:
i. He is described as a short, slender mulatto with large buckteeth.
ii. This description provides a basic visual image of the character.
c. Personality Traits:
i. Authoritative:
1. As the foreman of the sugar mill, he holds a position of authority
and takes charge of the situation after Guy's accident.
2. He instructs the workers to return to their tasks and coordinates
the handling of the situation.
ii. Practical:
1. He focuses on the immediate situation and is concerned with
maintaining order and getting the workers back to work.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller emmakershaw. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $10.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
