DANNY'S CHARACTER SKETCH

                                                         Character sketch of Danny

A fun and energetic, fifteen year old Danny plays a role of a protagonist in the play script “Brother in the land” by Robert Swindells. He was victimized by a nuclear attack in his hometown Skipley.
Danny’s immaturity was greatly effected by the nuclear attack as he became more practical in handling all kinds of critical situation. After the death of his parents, Richard and Mary, he became more considerate about his brother, Ben’s comfort and protection. He accepted the proposal of joining the MASADA, which was an organization to rebel against the Civil Defense Team. During his stay in MADASA, he got closer to Kim and had a growing feeling of love and fondness for her. Although Danny took a lot of time to express his feeling to Kim due to his timidity. His protective attitude towards her, by not letting her participate in the ambush also shows his care and concern for her. Mr. Rhodes caused Danny a tough time throughout this period as there was mutual repulsion in their relationship. There was an ambush held to confine the weapons of the Civil Defense Team in which Danny was taken captive. During the interrogation, he was quizzed over to reveal the secrets of the MASADA but he was intelligent enough to trick them into thinking that he was mentally ill and thus he was handed over to the executioner who turned out being a school mate Alec and saved his life. He being observant by memorizing the routes of the Kershaw’s farm turned to be very informative for the next ambush on the Civil Defense Team.

Robert Swindell’s very successfully keeps the role of the Shadow Man as a mystery and draws the curtain of revealing the character to be Danny, who was a history teacher, telling his experiences to his students and side by side acting as a mentor for the audience. His messages were a great guide to tell that life is for living, and wars are useless that just create hatred amongst people and that people and that people should live life to the fullest and not desire for death.

By the end of the story ,we get to know that Danny is an ideal guide to tell people how to act in the crucial times of life, and how to gain self assurance. He, with his great determination and bravery inspires the youth of all times and is a perfect example for today’s generation.

 

GROUP MEMBERS:

Shannel Tahir
Javeria Farrukh
Ansa Sabeen
Rabia Imtiaz

Ben Lodge's Character Sketch

Character Sketch of Ben

Jolly and lively, Ben is one of the significant characters of Robert Swindells' 'Brother in the Land'. The writer has portrayed him as the youngest member of the Lodge family.

Before the first known nuclear attack in Skipley, Ben was perceived by his brother Danny, as a careless imp, who was nothing more than a mere accident. This perception is contrary to him being adored b his parents and seen as the apple of their eye. He was fun and energetic, which can be observed when he unintentionally breaks the Gameboy and plays with Craig, his best friend, free spiritedly. Following the nuclear attack in Skipley, he dealt with all the turmoil with courage, and optimism and by being supportive of his brother, and accompanying him on every step of their journey. He is extremely valiant for a child his age. Due to his young age, he is curious and inquisitive and at times, blunt which can be detected when he inquires Danny about his relationship with Kim quite frankly. He suffered the traumatic experience of his parents death, which left the innocent lad orphaned. Ben proves his innocence when he is seen conversing with his deceased mother’s body, and inquiring about Craig, who died due to the wars. This also shows that he was shocked and he could not cope with the current situations. During the face-off with Rhodes in the café, he authenticates his quick-wittedness, when he knocks out Rhodes using limited resources; a tin of beans. In his attempt to defend Kim and Danny, he sacrifices his life, and dies peacefully in his brothers arms. This substantiates his selflessness. He gave up his life, for Danny, who criticized him. Even though Danny behaved rudely with Ben, he still idolized and adored him. These are evidences of him being doting and warmhearted. Simultaneously, he was sensitive and had a fragile heart which is detected when he was talking to his mother’s corpse. 

In my humble opinion, Ben has remained an inspiration throughout the whole reading of the play script and is the true epitome of selflessness. He has exceptionally good morals, thus setting an example for the entire youth. 

 Group Members: Minahil Tufail

                              Sameen Abid

                              Abeera Ishtiaq

                             Farheen Talat

Character Sketch of Mr. Rhodes

BROTHER IN THE LAND

Character Sketch of Rhodes

In the play script “Brother in the Land” by Robert Swindells and adapted by Joe Standerline, Rhodes is portrayed as a sadistic P.E. teacher who is an active member of the MASADA and participates voluntarily in tasks which are set up, in order to overthrow the Civil Defense Team. Unfortunately at the end he turns out to be a selfish person who deceives the MASADA.

Rhodes proves to be a good strategist as he prepares the students and tells them about how to act in different chaotic situations and face problems which arise during the war. A good leader, Rhodes possesses great commanding qualities, as he successfully led an ambush against the Civil Defense Team and made them surrender. However, Rhodes’ impressive attributes go under cover when he betrays the MASADA, by storing resources which rightfully did not belong to him. Rhodes, a sarcastic person responded ironically when Danny asked him questions regarding the siege operation. Although Rhodes played a part in the death of Danny’s dad, he did not feel sorry for him. Instead, he behaved rudely with him and did not even comfort on such a great loss. His cruel personality is proved when he ruthlessly killed Ben and Alec Booth, even though they were completely innocent. He did not show his willingness in taking in more people in the MASADA, by declaring the new comers as a threat to their survival.  This action demonstrates his inhuman personality. Instead of comforting the students and hoping for good, while telling them about the precautions which were supposed to be taken in times of war, Rhodes, a pessimistic and realistic person, started to scare them by putting in the picture the consequences of war and the likely effects of it on the people and their surroundings.

In my opinion Rhodes is the villain of the story who believes in the ‘Survival of the Fittest’ as, when he was caught red handed in the act of storing food, he was not ashamed and did not feel guilty. Instead, he declared his act, only a mere survival of the fittest.

                                                 Group Work by: Warisha Tahir

                                                                            Fatima-Tu-Zahra

                                                                            Mahnoor Nadeem
                                                                            Tamseel Aqdas

         

Hello people!!! This Blog is based on the Oxford Playscript " Brother in the Land" and will comprise of different character sketches which will be posted by different students of Class 8-Orange from BMI-G :)