Select the correct text in the passage.

Which sentence in the excerpt from O. Henry's "The Trimmed Lamp" contains direct characterization?

Of course, there are two sides to the question. Let us look at the other. We often hear "shop-girls" spoken of. No such persons exist. There are girls who work in shops. They make their living that way. But why turn their occupation into an adjective? Let us be fair. We do not refer to the girls who live on Fifth Avenue as "marriage-girls."

Lou and Nancy were chums. They came to the big city to find work because there was not enough to eat at their homes to go around. Nancy was nineteen; Lou was twenty. Both were pretty, active, country girls who had no ambition to go on the stage.

The little cherub that sits up aloft guided them to a cheap and respectable boarding-house. Both found positions and became wage-earners. They remained chums. It is at the end of six months that I would beg you to step forward and be introduced to them.

The excerpt includes direct characterization through the sentence that states the ages and traits of Nancy and Lou. This description provides clear insights into their personalities. Direct characterization contrasts with indirect methods, offering immediate understanding of characters.

Explanation:

Understanding Direct Characterization in O. Henry's "The Trimmed Lamp"

In literature, direct characterization involves the author explicitly stating the traits and characteristics of a character. In the provided excerpt from O. Henry's "The Trimmed Lamp," a specific example of direct characterization can be found in the statement:

"Nancy was nineteen; Lou was twenty. Both were pretty, active, country girls who had no ambition to go on the stage."

This sentence clearly describes both Nancy and Lou directly by stating their ages and explicitly defining them as "pretty," "active," and lacking a desire for a theatrical career. This straightforward description allows the reader to understand important aspects of their personalities and backgrounds without making inferences.

Contrast this with indirect characterization, where a character's traits are revealed through their actions, speech, or how other characters perceive them. Direct characterization, as seen above, makes it easier for readers to get an immediate sense of who the characters are.

Conclusion

In summary, the highlighted sentence showcases an excellent example of direct characterization by providing clear, unambiguous information about Lou and Nancy. Such direct references give readers a quick understanding of the characters' backgrounds and traits.

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