Foster by Claire Keegan
5th Years have been reading "Foster" and have made the following character study notes.
The Girl's father - Dan
Mr. Kinsella
The Girl's father - Dan
- a drunkard - reference to a "liquid supper" on p.82
- a gambler - the loss of the Shorthorn heifer on p. 3
- lazy - he is disorganised in his work - the hay has not yet been saved despite the good spell of weather - p.9
- careless/poor father - forgets the girl's clothes - p.14/15
- liar - he lies to Kinsella that he has saved the hay - p.10
- sexist/old-fashioned - he waits for Mrs. Kinsella to pick up the dropped rhubarb. - p.14
Mr. Kinsella
- Father-figure/Paternal - treats the girl like a daughter - p.44(gives her money in Gorey), p.64 (the Life lesson)
- a stark contrast to Dan.
- he makes excuses not to work on her final day, so he can spend time with her.
- Protective - he takes her away from Mildred, the gossiping neighbour. p.59
- emotional - he cries in the final page, during the walk...
- finds support in the girl's company - footprints in the sand - p.66