"The Illustrated Mum" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

In "The Illustrated Mum" by Jacqueline Wilson, the main character, Star Westward, is a young girl who is trying to navigate her chaotic and unconventional family life. The story revolves around Star's relationship with her mother, Marigold, who is known for her colorful tattoos and unpredictable behavior. Star's younger sister, Dolphin, also plays a significant role in the narrative. The other characters in the book, such as Mr. Bore, Gran, Steve, and Tanya, have varying degrees of influence on Star's life and contribute to her overall character development.

Character Descriptions

• Marigold "Mum" Westward: Star and Dolphin's mother, Marigold, is known for her vibrant tattoos and ever-changing hairstyles. She is depicted as both loving and neglectful, often prioritizing her own desires over her daughters' needs. Marigold's appearance and behavior make her stand out in society, but her unconventional lifestyle poses challenges for Star and Dolphin.
• Dolphin "Dolph" Westward: Dolphin is Star's younger sister, and the two share a close bond. Dolphin is described as artistic and creative, often drawing and painting. She is more resilient than Star and copes better with their chaotic family life.
• Star Westward: The protagonist of the story, Star is a young girl who struggles with her mother's erratic behavior and the responsibility of caring for Dolphin. She is observant, sensitive, and often feels embarrassed by her mother's appearance and actions.
• Mr. Bore: Mr. Bore is a neighbor who takes an interest in Star's family and offers support and stability to the girls. He acts as a father figure and provides a sense of normalcy in their lives.
• Grandma "Gran" Westward: Star and Dolphin's paternal grandmother, Gran, is the opposite of their mother. She is strict, conventional, and critical of Marigold's choices. Gran provides a contrast to the chaotic environment the girls are used to and offers them a glimpse of a more traditional family structure.
• Steve: Steve is Dolphin's boyfriend, who becomes a significant figure in her life. He is caring and supportive, offering Dolphin a stable relationship that contrasts with the instability she experiences within her family.
• Tanya: Tanya is Marigold's friend, and her presence in the story highlights the influence of Marigold's social circle on her behavior and choices. Tanya is portrayed as a negative influence on Marigold, further complicating the family dynamics.

Character Traits

• Marigold "Mum" Westward: Marigold is creative, spontaneous, and free-spirited. However, she also exhibits selfishness and a lack of responsibility, often neglecting her children's emotional and physical needs.
• Dolphin "Dolph" Westward: Dolphin is imaginative, resilient, and compassionate. She copes with the challenges in her life through her art and manages to find joy in small moments.
• Star Westward: Star is observant, sensitive, and self-conscious. She longs for a more stable and conventional life, often feeling embarrassed by her mother's behavior.
• Mr. Bore: Mr. Bore is kind, reliable, and caring. He serves as a stable and supportive presence in Star and Dolphin's lives, offering them a sense of normalcy and security.
• Grandma "Gran" Westward: Gran is traditional, strict, and critical. She acts as a counterpoint to Marigold's unconventional lifestyle, often disapproving of her choices and expressing concern for the well-being of her grandchildren.
• Steve: Steve is patient, understanding, and supportive. He provides Dolphin with stability and love, counteracting the instability she experiences within her family.
• Tanya: Tanya is manipulative, irresponsible, and a negative influence on Marigold. Her presence in the story highlights the consequences of Marigold's choices and the impact they have on her and her children.

Character Background

• Marigold "Mum" Westward: Marigold's background is not extensively explored in the book. However, it is implied that she had a troubled upbringing, which may contribute to her unconventional behavior and struggles with motherhood.
• Dolphin "Dolph" Westward: Dolphin's background is not explicitly mentioned, but she is depicted as having a strong bond with Star and navigating their chaotic family life with resilience and creativity.
• Star Westward: Star's background is explored in more detail. She shares memories of a more stable and conventional life before her mother's tattoos and erratic behavior became prominent. Star longs for the stability she remembers and struggles with the embarrassment caused by her mother's choices.
• Mr. Bore: Mr. Bore's background is not extensively explored in the book. He is presented as a kind and caring neighbor who takes an interest in Star and Dolphin's well-being.
• Grandma "Gran" Westward: Gran's background is not extensively explored, but she is portrayed as more traditional and conventional compared to Marigold. Gran expresses concern for her grandchildren's well-being and is critical of Marigold's choices.
• Steve: Steve's background is not explicitly mentioned, but he is depicted as a caring and supportive boyfriend to Dolphin, providing stability and love in her life.
• Tanya: Tanya's background is not explored in detail, but her negative influence on Marigold suggests a similar lifestyle and mindset.

Character Arcs

• Marigold "Mum" Westward: Marigold's character arc is focused on her struggle to balance her desire for personal freedom and self-expression with her responsibilities as a mother. Throughout the story, she experiences moments of growth and realization, but her journey remains incomplete, leaving her character arc somewhat unresolved.
• Dolphin "Dolph" Westward: Dolphin's character arc revolves around her growing independence and resilience. She learns to navigate her family's chaotic dynamics and finds stability and love in her relationship with Steve.
• Star Westward: Star's character arc centers on her search for stability and acceptance. She grapples with her embarrassment over her mother's appearance and behavior, but ultimately learns to embrace her family's uniqueness and find her own sense of identity.
• Mr. Bore: Mr. Bore's character arc is not as prominent as the other characters. He serves as a stable and supportive presence in Star and Dolphin's lives, providing them with a sense of normalcy.
• Grandma "Gran" Westward: Gran's character arc focuses on her attempts to steer Marigold and her grandchildren towards a more traditional and stable lifestyle. However, her efforts are met with resistance, and her character arc remains somewhat unresolved.
• Steve: Steve's character arc is intertwined with Dolphin's. He provides her with stability and love, showing her a different kind of relationship from what she experiences within her family.
• Tanya: Tanya's character arc is limited, with her negative influence on Marigold serving as a catalyst for conflict and tension within the story.

Relationships

• Star and Dolphin: Star and Dolphin share a close bond as sisters, relying on each other for support and comfort in their challenging family life. They navigate their shared experiences together and find solace in their relationship.
• Star and Marigold: Star's relationship with her mother, Marigold, is complex. While Star loves her mother, she also struggles with her mother's erratic behavior and feelings of embarrassment. Their relationship is characterized by moments of love and frustration.
• Star and Mr. Bore: Star develops a close relationship with Mr. Bore, who serves as a father figure and provides stability in her life. He offers guidance and support, becoming a positive influence in her journey.
• Star and Gran: Star's relationship with Gran is strained, with Gran disapproving of Marigold's choices. Despite their differences, Gran's concern for her grandchildren's well-being is evident, and she provides a contrasting perspective to Marigold's lifestyle.
• Dolphin and Steve: Dolphin's relationship with Steve offers her stability and love. Steve becomes an important figure in Dolphin's life, providing her with a healthy and supportive relationship outside of her family.
• Marigold and Tanya: Marigold's friendship with Tanya highlights the negative influences in her life. Tanya's presence exacerbates Marigold's irresponsible behavior and contributes to the chaotic environment in which Star and Dolphin live.

Overall, "The Illustrated Mum" explores the complexities of family dynamics, highlighting the impact of a mother's unconventional behavior on her children. The characters' relationships and individual journeys contribute to a nuanced portrayal of love, resilience, and the search for stability in a chaotic world.