Characterization
Discussion Notes
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Characterization in “Pancakes”- 1st Block
Characterization of Jill
What it Reveals about Jill
How it Contributes to Conflict
“The last thing I wanted to see taped to my
mirror at five-thirty in the morning was a
newspaper article entitled ‘Are You a
Perfectionist?’ But there it was, courtesy of
my mother, Ms. Subtlety herself.” (lines 13)
Jill is a sarcastic person. She might feel her
mother is picking on her and is attempting
to hide her hurt feelings with the use of
humor (calling her mother Ms. Subtlety). It
also establishes that other people view Jill
as a perfectionist.
This shows that Jill does not like to be told
what to do. She is independent and insists
on doing things her own way, even if others
disagree.
“I am a person of order who knows there is Jill is organized.
a right way and a wrong way to do things.”
(pg212)
She tries to be perfectly organized,
which creates a lot of stress for her
when the other two waitresses do not
show up for work. She does not have a
plan B because she is so used to her
plan A working perfectly.
”Syrup… if you pour it fast you can’t control Jill is a clean freak (OCD).
the flow and you get syrup everywhere.”
(page 213)
Jill gets easily overwhelmed by the
mess that is created when she has to
work alone to take orders and clean
tables.
”I wanted to be perfect for every one of Jill changes and realizes that she This is the resolution of the conflict
you… Please don’t hate me, I am only one cannot be perfect.
when Jill sees that she needs help from
person.” (page 218)
others to do her job.
Characterization in “Pancakes”- 2nd Block
Characterization of Jill
What it Reveals about Jill
“The last thing I wanted to see taped to
my mirror at five-thirty in the morning
was a newspaper article entitled ‘Are
You a Perfectionist?’ But there it was,
courtesy of my mother, Ms. Subtlety
herself.” (lines 1-3)
How it Contributes to Conflict
Jill is a sarcastic person. She might feel
her mother is picking on her and is
attempting to hide her hurt feelings
with the use of humor (calling her
mother Ms. Subtlety). It also establishes
that other people view Jill as a
perfectionist.
“’You’re just so organized,’ he would say. Jill is orderly and organized.
I thought that was a true compliment.”
(page 214)
This shows that Jill does not like to be
told what to do. She is independent and
insists on doing things her own way,
even if others disagree.
“Dirty mirrors drove me crazy” (page She is a clean person (OCD)
210)
She gets overwhelmed by all the
messes in the restaurant and can’t
handle things alone.
Jill does not have enough time to do
things the way she wants to, so she
gets frustrated.
“Hugo was speed pouring poison berry At the end of the story, Jill is calm This is the resolution of the conflict,
syrup,
spilling
everywherebut and not bothered by the mess.
Jill learned that things will not always
somehow it didn’t matter anymore. It
be perfect and she needs help from
was good enough.” (page 218)
others.
Characterization in “Pancakes”- 4th Block
Characterization of Jill
What it Reveals about Jill
“The last thing I wanted to see taped to
my mirror at five-thirty in the morning
was a newspaper article entitled ‘Are
You a Perfectionist?’ But there it was,
courtesy of my mother, Ms. Subtlety
herself.” (lines 1-3)
How it Contributes to Conflict
Jill is a sarcastic person. She might feel
her mother is picking on her and is
attempting to hide her hurt feelings
with the use of humor (calling her
mother Ms. Subtlety). It also establishes
that other people view Jill as a
perfectionist.
“And how a restaurant storage closet Jill is organized.
should be properly organized to take full
advantage of the space.” (page 212)
This shows that Jill does not like to be
told what to do. She is independent and
insists on doing things her own way,
even if others disagree.
“I recommend that you eat someplace Jill is a little selfish
else… because I don’t have time for
this.” (page 216)
She loses customers and makes
other customers angry.
“I grabbed his arm, ‘Can you work the Jill is now open to help from others.
register?’” (page 218)
This is the resolution to the conflict,
Jill learns that she is only one person
and that she can’t do everythingeven if she does have a
perfect” system.
Jill wants everything done her way
and she can’t deal with a situation
that does not go her way- like the
restaurant falling apart without her
other waitresses.
Characterization in “Pancakes”- 5th Block
Characterization of Jill
What it Reveals about Jill
“The last thing I wanted to see taped to
my mirror at five-thirty in the morning
was a newspaper article entitled ‘Are
You a Perfectionist?’ But there it was,
courtesy of my mother, Ms. Subtlety
herself.” (lines 1-3)
How it Contributes to Conflict
Jill is a sarcastic person. She might feel
her mother is picking on her and is
attempting to hide her hurt feelings
with the use of humor (calling her
mother Ms. Subtlety). It also establishes
that other people view Jill as a
perfectionist.
“I had a life when I woke up this Jill is organized
morning. Everything was in place.” (page
217)
This shows that Jill does not like to be
told what to do. She is independent and
insists on doing things her own way,
even if others disagree.
“Ketchup Hugo. Wake Up. The sky is Jill is bossy.
falling!” (page 218)
Jill makes a tense situation worse by
yelling and losing control of her
temper.
Jill gets frustrated when things get
out of control. This causes her to
lose her cool.
“Can you work the register?” (page 218) Jill is thankful (at the end of the This is the resolution to the conflictstory)
Jill learns that she can’t do
everything by herself.
Characterization in “Pancakes”- 8th Block
Characterization of Jill
What it Reveals about Jill
“The last thing I wanted to see taped to
my mirror at five-thirty in the morning
was a newspaper article entitled ‘Are
You a Perfectionist?’ But there it was,
courtesy of my mother, Ms. Subtlety
herself.” (lines 1-3)
How it Contributes to Conflict
Jill is a sarcastic person. She might feel
her mother is picking on her and is
attempting to hide her hurt feelings
with the use of humor (calling her
mother Ms. Subtlety). It also establishes
that other people view Jill as a
perfectionist.
“Chocolate silver dollars for the brat on Jill is rude
eight…. Make them perfect or someone
dies.” (page 215)
This shows that Jill does not like to be
told what to do. She is independent and
insists on doing things her own way,
even if others disagree.
“Dirty mirrors drove me crazy. I grabbed Jill is a perfectionist
the bottle of Windex from the closet
and cleaned off the gook until the
mirror shined.” (page 210)
Jill is such a perfectionist that she
cannot accept help from other
people. She wants to do everything
herself.
Jill’s rudeness is making a tense
situation worse. She is losing control
and letting her attitude affect her
work.
“Hugo was speed pouring boysenberry Jill is more reasonable at the end of This is the resolution to the conflictsyrup, spilling everywhere– but the story
Jill learns that she cannot do
somehow it didn’t matter.” (page 218)
everything herself and accepts helps
from Allen.
Characterization in “Pancakes”- 9th Block
Characterization of Jill
What it Reveals about Jill
How it Contributes to Conflict
“The last thing I wanted to see taped to
my mirror at five-thirty in the morning
was a newspaper article entitled ‘Are
You a Perfectionist?’ But there it was,
courtesy of my mother, Ms. Subtlety
herself.” (lines 1-3)
Jill is a sarcastic person. She might feel
her mother is picking on her and is
attempting to hide her hurt feelings
with the use of humor (calling her
mother Ms. Subtlety). It also establishes
that other people view Jill as a
perfectionist.
Jill is organized
This shows that Jill does not like to be
told what to do. She is independent and
insists on doing things her own way,
even if others disagree.
“You’re just so organized.”
Jill gets frustrated when things are
not in order.
“She went looking under the K section
to find some ketchup.”
“Hugo had set the back tables and I Jill is a control freak.
followed
him
straightening
the
silverware.”
Jill is only one person and she can’t
do everything, so she gets
overwhelmed when the other
waitresses do not show up.
“Hugo was speed pouring… syrup , Jill is relaxed and laid back
spilling everywhere… And that, I realized
happily, was good enough.”
This is the resolution of the conflictJill realizes everything is not going to
be perfect and she needs help from
others.