Estimated read time: 5 min read
Table of Contents
List of Characters
| Character Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Arrietty Clock | Protagonist |
| Pod Clock | Arrietty's father |
| Homily Clock | Arrietty's mother |
| Spiller | A fellow borrower |
| Mrs. Driver | Human housekeeper |
| Mr. Pott | Human friend of the Clock family |
Role Identification
"The Borrowers Afield" by Mary Norton is a children's fantasy novel that follows the adventures of a family of tiny people known as the Borrowers. The main character, Arrietty Clock, takes on the role of the protagonist as she embarks on a journey beyond the safety of their home, facing various challenges and encountering new characters along the way.
Character Descriptions
- Arrietty Clock: Arrietty is a brave and curious Borrower who is eager to explore the outside world. She has brown hair and blue eyes, and she wears a leaf as a dress. Arrietty is resourceful and quick-witted, often finding creative solutions to problems.
- Pod Clock: Arrietty's father, Pod, is a wise and protective Borrower. He has gray hair and a beard, and he wears old-fashioned clothes made from scraps of material. Pod is skilled at repairing and repurposing items, which helps his family survive.
- Homily Clock: Arrietty's mother, Homily, is a worrisome and cautious Borrower. She has curly hair and wears a flower petal as a dress. Homily is skilled at keeping their home tidy and hidden from humans, but she often fears the dangers of the outside world.
- Spiller: Spiller is a fellow Borrower whom Arrietty and her family encounter during their journey. He is tall and wiry, with wild hair. Spiller is a loner who lives in the wild and knows the secrets of survival. He becomes a valuable ally to Arrietty and her family.
- Mrs. Driver: Mrs. Driver is the human housekeeper of the house where the Clock family lives. She is a kind and compassionate woman who unintentionally aids the Borrowers by leaving small treasures for them to find.
- Mr. Pott: Mr. Pott is a human friend of the Clock family who helps them on their journey. He is an inventor and a collector of small objects, which makes him sympathetic to the Borrowers' plight.
Character Traits
- Arrietty Clock: Arrietty is brave, curious, resourceful, and quick-witted. She is determined to explore the world beyond their home and is willing to take risks to do so.
- Pod Clock: Pod is wise, protective, and skilled at repurposing items. He is a loving father who does everything he can to keep his family safe.
- Homily Clock: Homily is worrisome, cautious, and skilled at hiding their home. She is a caring mother who worries about the dangers that await her family outside.
- Spiller: Spiller is a loner, self-sufficient, and knowledgeable about survival in the wild. He is initially distant but proves to be a loyal ally to Arrietty and her family.
- Mrs. Driver: Mrs. Driver is kind, compassionate, and inadvertently helpful to the Borrowers. She leaves small treasures for them to find, unknowingly aiding their survival.
- Mr. Pott: Mr. Pott is inventive, sympathetic, and interested in small objects. He becomes a friend to the Borrowers and assists them during their journey.
Character Background
Arrietty, Pod, and Homily Clock are part of a family of Borrowers who live secretly in the walls and floors of a human house. They survive by "borrowing" small items unnoticed from the humans. However, their peaceful existence is disrupted when their home is discovered by the housekeeper, Mrs. Driver.
Arrietty is intrigued by the outside world and convinces her parents to embark on a journey to find a new home. Along the way, they encounter Spiller, a fellow Borrower who lives in the wild. Together, they navigate the challenges of the outside world, facing dangers and making new alliances.
Character Arcs
Arrietty Clock experiences a significant character arc throughout the story. At the beginning, she is curious and adventurous, but somewhat sheltered within the confines of her home. As she embarks on the journey with her family, she faces numerous challenges that force her to grow and adapt. Arrietty becomes more independent, resourceful, and confident in her abilities, ultimately becoming a leader and a source of strength for her family.
Homily Clock also undergoes a character arc as she confronts her fears and learns to trust others. Initially, Homily is fearful of the outside world and reluctant to leave the safety of their home. However, as the story progresses, she learns to rely on others, particularly Spiller, and realizes the importance of taking risks for the sake of her family's well-being.
Relationships
Arrietty has a loving and supportive relationship with her parents, Pod and Homily Clock. They rely on each other for strength and guidance throughout their journey. Arrietty develops a close bond with Spiller, who initially appears aloof but gradually becomes a trusted ally and friend. Mrs. Driver and Mr. Pott also form meaningful relationships with the Clock family, offering assistance and understanding.
The Borrowers' relationship with the human world is complex. They rely on their ability to borrow small items from humans to survive, but they must remain hidden and avoid detection. The interactions with Mrs. Driver and Mr. Pott showcase the potential for understanding and compassion between the two worlds.
Overall, "The Borrowers Afield" explores themes of bravery, family, friendship, and the resilience of the human spirit. Mary Norton's characters are well-developed and their relationships contribute to the emotional depth of the story.
