Character Sketch:- The Little Girl | English Class 9 PDF Download

Kezia: Innocent yet Timid

• Emotional and Sensitive Nature
  Kezia, the young female protagonist of the story The Little Girl, is portrayed as an emotional and sensitive child. She is deeply affected by her father’s strict, disciplinarian attitude as well as his love, though she does not fully understand it at first.

• Fear of Her Father
  Kezia's actions reflect her youth and innocence. She views her father as an intimidating figure, the head of the household who demands respect. Every morning when he leaves for work, she feels a sense of relief. Despite her fear of him, Kezia remains obedient. When her mother instructs her to remove her father's shoes, she complies even though she is nervous around him and often stutters out of fear in his presence.

• Comparison with Other Children
  At times, Kezia wishes there were no fathers in the world, especially when she compares herself to other children who seem to receive more affection from their fathers. This comparison pains her and intensifies her feelings of loneliness.
• Impulsive Yet Innocent
  Although impulsive, Kezia is innocent. For example, she decides to make a pin cushion for her father’s birthday, but in her naiveté, she uses important papers from his desk as stuffing. Without understanding the consequences, she tears the documents, leading to a punishment that causes her distress.
• Realization of Her Father's Love
  Kezia’s view of her father changes when he comforts her after a scary dream. He carries her to his bed and gives her warmth, showing a kinder, gentler side of him. Through this, Kezia realizes that despite his strictness, her father has a big heart. This moment helps her grow from being afraid and resentful into a more understanding daughter who sees her father’s love and hard work.

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Kezia’s Father: Stern yet Caring

• Authoritarian and Strict Nature
  Kezia’s father is a complicated character with two very different sides. At first, he seems like a strict and controlling figure, the head of the house who expects full obedience. He wants everything prepared for him, like his tea and newspaper, when he comes home from work. He even expects Kezia to take off his shoes, which strengthens his powerful presence. His strictness is so intense that Kezia becomes nervous and stutters when talking to him, and she feels a sense of relief when he leaves for work each morning.

• Failure to Understand Kezia’s Innocence
  This stern aspect of his personality is further highlighted when he punishes Kezia with a ruler after she accidentally ruins important documents while making a gift for him. He seems unable to understand his daughter’s innocent intentions, which deepens the emotional distance between them.

• Caring and Protective Side
  However, Kezia’s father shows a more caring side when he comforts her after a bad dream. With the women of the house not around, he takes care of her, carrying her to his bed and telling her to warm her cold feet by rubbing them against his legs. This gentle moment shows his fatherly love and protective nature, revealing that beneath his strict exterior, he has a kind heart full of love for his daughter.

• A Father with a Hidden Tenderness
  In the end, Kezia’s father embodies the typical figure of a father who may seem harsh on the outside but holds deep affection for his child beneath the surface.
  
  

Kezia’s Grandmother: Gentle and Supportive

• A Wise and Supportive Elder
  Kezia’s Grandmother, addressed as “Grannie” by Kezia, is a wise and understanding elder in the household. Although she does not question her son's strict, authoritarian attitude, she continuously encourages her granddaughter to make efforts to build a stronger bond with her parents.
• Guiding Kezia to Strengthen Bonds
  Grannie advises Kezia to approach her parents, especially on relaxed Sunday afternoons, and talk nicely to them. She prefers to stay in the background, quietly supporting the family without interfering in household matters.
• Comforting Kezia after Punishment
  Her loving and protective side becomes evident when she comforts Kezia after the punishment from her father. Wrapping Kezia in a shawl, she rocks her in a chair, providing the little girl with warmth and solace. Grannie understands the delicate nature of parenting and believes that parents should have the freedom to discipline their children as they see fit.
• A Quiet Yet Important Character
  Her supportive nature is further highlighted when she accompanies her daughter-in-law to the hospital, underscoring her importance in the family, even though she often remains in the background.

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