Characters in the story
Sandra
Sandra is the first character we are introduced to in the story. During this story we see how Sandra changes in the course of one afternoon. She has high expectations of herself - she expects to be secretary however throughout the story we note small details about her - Mrs Rutter calls her pretty and talks to her about how she made her own wedding dress. Also, Sandra mentions her ideal life of living in a cottage with two children and owning her own sewing machine where she can stich her own clothes. Sandra is quite judgemental as she judges people on first appearances - for example we find out that she thinks of Kerry as an ugly boy who is in the same school. We also learn that she believes in myths and rumours as when Kerry asks Mrs Rutter about the war she try's to stop/divert the conversation by saying "Shut Up" to him. This tells us she is a naive character who is a innocent as when she was first introduced in the book. During the story she moves from being childish girl who believes in myths to observing horror and darkness in the real world - "...everything is not as it appears".
Kerry
We are introduced to Kerry in the novel when Sandra is going to walk through Packers End. Sandra knows Kerry as "Kerry Stevens that none of her lot much reckoned on" however nearing the end of the story she changes her mind. Kerry seems like a bit of an stereotype as her works part time in a garage and he will start working full time when he leaves school. Also, Kerry seems a bit more mature than Sandra as he takes the initiative on passing a judgement about Mrs Rutter - "I'm never going near that old bitch again". Throughout the story we get clues that, although Sandra thinks different of him, he is not the stereotype that he seems to be as he is ready to spend his time with old people.
Mrs Rutter
Mrs Rutter is the opposite of Kerry. She is quite interested in marriage and having her own children. She looks like a stereotype calling Sandra "dear". She claims, “I've got a sympathy with young people”. Perhaps she quite likes
young people but she does not really have sympathy with them, as she is bitter
and vengeful. Gradually her real character is revealed.
young people but she does not really have sympathy with them, as she is bitter
and vengeful. Gradually her real character is revealed.