The Firework Maker's Daughter - Chapter 1 - Character Analysis Activities

In the first chapter of "The Firework Maker's Daughter," readers are invited to delve into a character analysis activity focused on the protagonist, Lila. The activity encourages students to explore various aspects of Lila's character, starting with her appearance. They are tasked with extracting words and phrases directly from the text that paint a picture of how Lila looks. Moving beyond the physical, the activity also prompts students to consider Lila's speech and behaviour, noting how she interacts with the world around her. To further engage with the character, students are asked to draw Lila based on the descriptions provided in the text. Lastly, they are encouraged to use their own language and insights to describe Lila's personality, adding depth to their understanding of her character.

The character analysis extends to Lalchand, Lila's father, where students again begin by identifying descriptive language in the text that outlines his appearance. They are then invited to observe and note Lalchand's manner of speaking and his actions, which can offer insights into his character. A creative aspect of the activity involves students drawing Lalchand, using the textual descriptions as a guide. To round off the analysis, students express their interpretations of Lalchand's personality in their own words, allowing them to connect with the character on a personal level.

Finally, the analysis turns to Chulak, another character in the story. Students are prompted to sift through the text to find descriptive details about Chulak's looks. They also scrutinise the text for clues about Chulak's verbal and behavioural traits, which contribute to their understanding of his role in the story. An illustrative exercise has students drawing Chulak, encouraging them to visualise the character based on the narrative's descriptions. To complete the activity, students articulate Chulak's personality using their own interpretations and vocabulary, fostering a deeper engagement with the character and the story as a whole.