Characterization of "The Washwoman" by Isaac Bashevis Singer .
F What others say about the character.
Obviously, the main character is the washwoman. Taking the main points one at a time, we get: .
F What character says - The most important thing, and almost only, thing the character says is at the end of the story: "I could not rest easy in my bed because of the wash. The wash would not let me die." From this we deduct that the sole purpose the woman sees herself for being in this life is to help others. She mustered up enough energy at the end to return people's clothes, a truly unselfish act.
F What character does/ actions - Basically the whole essay is about what the washwoman does. To repeat it would be unnecessary, but you can deduce from it that she is giving and knows how to work hard. She's not mad that she's underpaid for the work she does, she appreciates the Groszy she DOES get. This tells a lot about her character! Most people would demand more money or do a half-job. As the essay says, "She could have begged at the church door or entered a home for the penniless and aged. But there was in her a certain pride and love of labor with which many Gentiles have been blessed.".
F What character looks like - The character is described at first as an old woman (about 80 years old at the time she "disappeared") , "small and thin as she was, possessed a strength that came from generations of peasant forebears." Later on in the story, the washwoman is described as a corpse with a linen-white face and wisps of white hair. "She was even thinner now, more bent. Her face had become more gaunt, and her head shook from side to side as though she were saying no. She could not utter a clear word, but mumbled something with her sunken mouth and pale lips.".
F What others say about the character - The family obviously has good feelings towards the character because they like the fact that they get amazing service for very cheap.
