Unit 12 - task 2.1 - character research
Candidate Declaration - I confirm that the attached portfolio is all my own work and does not include any work completed by anyone other than myself.
Throughout the play, Jo's overall objective is to live and behave as she pleases, full of independence to follow her passion in writing and telling her story. She wants to escape the stereotypical and 'perfect' life structure a woman was expected to have in the 1800's and live a life true to herself.
The many obstacles that make this objective so hard to achieve throughout the play are: earning enough money for her family, her Aunt March- always talking about marrying rich, the higher patriarchy in these days that men held, how women were frowned upon if not married and the etiquette that was expected from them.
The stakes if Jo doesn't become a famous writer are high for many reasons: her family would suffer economically, she would be letting Beth down- who was so fond of her writing, her story wouldn't be told to all the young women in the world that needed to hear it, she would be treat like a lost cause altogether and a complete and utter failure.
The previous circumstance that happened before this play begins involves: The beginning of the American Civil War, which lots of men went to fight in- including Jo's father, Jo's father gave most of their money away to help out and so the family are left with a lot less than what they originally had and could have had.
Basic
● Full name): Josephine March
● Nicknames: Jo
● Date of birth: around 1840's
● Age: 15-30yrs
● Place of birth: Massachusetts
Personality
● Favorite (or overused) phrases: Christopher Columbus, (whistling), Really and Truly.
● Optimist or pessimist: optimist.
● Describe their sense of humor: boyish and rude. Not for everyone.
● How do they display affection? physical touch.
● How do they see themselves?
● How are they seen by others? How do they want to be seen by others? hard
● What would they change about themselves and why? Jo would change gender to a boy if she could because that would mean she wouldn't have to act in a way that she isn't (prim and proper).
● Strongest character trait: determination and passion
● Weakest character trait: anger, selfishness and rebelliousness
● What are their ambitions? To be a famous writer
● Are they competitive? yes
● Do they rush to conclusions? yes
● Do they make quick decisions and act on them? Do they take time out to think about actions and consequences? yes, Jo acts
● How do they react to praise? To criticism? to praise- warmly and welcomingly, criticism- not so well
● What is their greatest fear? marriage, love
● What are their biggest secrets? Jo is in love with Laurie. Always has been and always will be.
● What is their philosophy of life? every story has meaning and the possibilities are endless
● When was the last time they cried? Jo cry's often when life doesn't go to plan
● Do they cry openly/in front of others? yes
● What haunts them? Amy, since she gets everything Jo desires all the way through life. Also Professor Bhaer because he shows her a new chapter in life and at first seems ghost like in a way
- What will they stand up for? She's a feminist. She will stand up for equality between man and woman and womens rights.
● Are they indoorsy or outdoorsy? Night owl or morning lark?
● What sense do they most rely on? touch
● How do they treat others? with love and respect.
● What quality do they most value in a friend? acts of service.
● What do they consider an overrated virtue? marriage
● What are their views on religion? Politics? Sex? Jo is big on politics out of the three because she believes in her own rights as a woman and would speak on behalf of all the women in the world.
● Under what circumstances would they be able to kill someone? if anybody hurt her family/ sisters.
● Do they prefer routine or spontaneity? routine
● Describe their pet peeves: Ballgowns, dancing
● What is their view of freedom? What is freedom? equality in men and women, being a writer and acting in a way that suits her not following the rules of being a lady in the 1800's.
● When did they last lie and what’s their view of lying? Jo would lie to keep someone from hurt or pain. She lies throughout the play about being okay with Amy doing the things that she so badly wants to do ie. go to Europe with Aunt March.
Friends and Family:
● How big is their immediate family? She is the second oldest out of four sisters, she has a father, mother, maid, Aunt March- Laurie, Mr Brooks marry into the family. Quite a big family.
● Who is their family? Her sisters, marmee, father, aunt March, Laurie, Mr Brooks.
● Do they have siblings? Older or younger? Both. Meg- older. Amy and Beth- younger.
● Do they get along with the parents and siblings? Yes. But With lots of sisterly fighting and arguing.
● How big is their extended family? Quite big, not overly big however.
● Describe their parents. Marmee has grown to be selfless and forever giving. She would go without to help out others worse off. Farther is the same; he gave away most of their money to help out when he could. They've been brought up in a way to care, love and give to the worse off. Gratitude is a big thing in their family. Materialistic stuff isn't important.
● Describe their best friend. Laurie is Jo's best friend. He is light hearted, funny, loving, empathetic, adventurous, impulsive and fun.
● Describe their attitude towards family. Acts of service. Always there to help out in any way, loving, giving, friendly, humbling, trustworthy, would take a bullet for every one of them.
● Describe their other friends. Intelligent, introverted, attentive, kind-hearted.
● Describe their acquaintances. Rude, self-centred, rich, unthoughtful.
● What is their family’s history? Think back several generations. Their family haven't always been poor. They weren't rich either but certainly were better off. Never married wealthy however. Married through love not money.
● Do they have pets? No.
Daily Life
● Describe their house. Homely, warm, small, comforting, beautiful, cosy, pleasant.
● Are they a minimalist or is their house cluttered? cluttered.
● What are their eating habits? they usually have nice food, unless someone somewhere is struggling then they would give it away.
● Are they allergic to anything? no.
● What is the first thing they do in the morning? check on family; marmee and sisters.
● What do they do on a Sunday afternoon? Read and write with Aunt March.
● What do they do on a Friday night? Attend a ball.
● Describe their diet: everything in moderation.
● Describe their workout routine: Mostly cardio but nothing too strenuous. Includes walking and dancing at balls.
Past and Future
● Describe your character like as a child? As a teenager? As a young adult? As a child- hyper, playful and fun. Teenager- independent, loving, selfish. Adult- dedicated, outspoken, empathetic, bold, headstrong.
● What is their earliest memory? When Jo and her sisters all sat around the fire on Christmas Eve night. She was aged 6. They told stories and giggled together, so excited for Christmas Day to give Marmee her present, in which all four sisters hand made for her.
● What is their best childhood memory? When marmee and father surprised the girls one day and came home, when they weren't supposed to as of work but they did, bringing lots of cookies and cakes for them all to eat together while putting up the Christmas tree that night.
● What is their worst childhood memory? When Father was sent to go away to fight in the War.
● What did they want to be when they grew up? A famous writer.
● Did they grow up rich or poor? working class.
● Did they grow up nurtured or neglected? nurtured by one another.
● Were they popular growing up? no. Jo didn't have many friend ds and wasn't bothered about having lots of friends.
● What is the most offensive thing they ever said? To Amy- I hate you. - when Amy burns her writing.
● What is the most offensive thing ever said to them? From Amy- You won't be a writer because you aren't creative enough to write actual good stories.
● What is their greatest achievement? Opening a school for girls and boys and having her 'Little Women' book published.
● Describe their first kiss and romance. Her first romance was with Laurie but she didn't know it at the time. So her first kiss and real romance was with Professor Bhaer, whom she goes on to marry.
● What is the worst thing they did to someone they loved? Rejected them.
● What is the best thing they did to someone they loved? Gave up all of her hair for money in order for Marmee to visit Father, whom was ill at the time.
● Who had a great influence on them? Who shaped them as a person? Marmee. She taught them to give and be grateful for each other.
● What are their plans for the future? To build her school for girls and boys, be a role model for women and continue writing books that will inspire others.
● What advice would they give their younger self? Don't give up, you are enough.
● What smells remind them of their childhood? Freshly baked cookies- Marmee used to make them and Beth loved to help out in the kitchen, freshly cut grass- Aunt March always kept her Garden neat and tidy, burning firewood- the girls always huddled around the fire to keep warm and they had some of their best childhood memories there.
● When was the last time they were crushed with disappointment? When Jo finds out Amy will be soon to marry Laurie.
● What past act are they most ashamed of? Most proud of? Turning down Laurie. But most proud of how she handled the situation and that is now settled that she found Mr Bhaer.
● Has anyone ever saved their life? Have they ever saved someone else’s life? Jo has saved Amys life before- she pulled her out of the iced over lake with a log. Amy very nearly drowned.
Love
● Do they believe in love at first sight? No
● Are they in a relationship? No
● How do they behave in relationships? friendly, no romantic
● Have they ever broken someone’s heart? yes
● Have they ever had their heart broken? yes
● What do they look for in a potential lover or partner? freedom and fun
● Do they have their own family? How old are their children?no
● What are their views on marriage? a waste and she never wants to marry
Relationships with Others
● Do they trust other people to protect them? Why? Why? no because she is the protector, she has looked after her family for as long as she can remember
● Who do they trust the most? Laurie, Marmee
● Who do they love the most? loves her family equally and Laurie
● Who do they hate the most? Who do they despise? Sally Gardener, sisterly hate at times
● Do they tend to take on leadership roles in group situations? yes
● Do they like being around large groups of people? Why or why not? no because she gets awkward and doesn't like the same things as most girls her age
● Have they ever been bullied? yes
● Have they ever been the bully? no
● Who are their enemies and why? sally Gardiner and her friends because they look down upon the march household
Conflict
● How do they respond to threat or dangerous situations? fast and take action
● Are they most likely to fight with their fists or their words? words
● What is your character’s kryptonite? being forced into a marriage or losing a member of her family
● How do they perceive strangers? new and interesting but also stand offish
● Do they have phobias? Of what? yes, of growing old
● What do they love to hate? marriage
● What is their weapon of choice? bow and arrow
● Where do they go when they’re angry? to the attic
Work, Education and Hobbies
● Describe their current job: unemployed
● Do they like or dislike their job? love to write, hoping to be a writer
● Describe their hobbies: writing, being free outside in nature, travelling Europe
● Educational background: one of the most educated in the family
● Work experience/background: growing up, haven't had any work experience, but has looked after her family and had experienced responsibility
Favorites
● List their favorites of each: color; food; animal; place; person; book: blue, cookies, any type of exotic bird, seaside, the black avenger
● What place would they love to visit? New York
● What is the most beautiful thing they’ve ever seen? the sun set over the sea
● What is their favorite song? anything her Bethy plays on her piano
● Who is their favorite artist? her sister Amy
● What is their favorite work of art? canvas paintings
● What is their favorite day of the week? Why? Wednesday because she has a lot of time for her writing on a Wednesday with no balls to attend
● Do they have a favorite saying or proverb? What is it? Christopher Columbus- because she isn't supposed to say it
Spirituality
● What are their religious views? believes there's a heaven and hell
● Who or what is your character’s guardian angel? Beth
● Do they believe in an afterlife? yes
● What do they think heaven is? living up in the clouds, full of light rays and sun, looking down on everyone on Earth
● What do they think hell is? darkness, underground
● Are they superstitious? yes, curiously
● What would they like to be reincarnated as? a bird, flying freely
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