EXTENDED CHARACTER ANALYSIS – FLAMINGO
& VISTAS
title
1. INTRODUCTION
Literature reflects human life, emotions, behaviour, society, and culture.
The Class 12 English books Flamingo and Vistas include stories that are rich with meaningful
characters.
These characters represent courage, identity, hope, fear, injustice, transformation, patriotism, and
humanity.
This project aims to study these characters deeply—not only as fictional personalities but as
symbols of real-life experiences, emotions, and values.
2. OBJECTIVE
• To understand the psychological, emotional, and moral traits of major characters.
• To explore the themes represented through these characters such as courage, discrimination,
poverty, patriotism, and sympathy.
• To analyze how authors use characters to show social issues.
• To compare different characters and understand similarities, differences, and growth.
• To learn human values like truth, non-violence, compassion, self-respect, and courage.
3. SUMMARY OF STORIES
The Last Lesson – A story set in Franco-Prussian War showing loss of language and cultural
identity.
Lost Spring – Exposes harsh poverty and child labour through Saheb and Mukesh.
Deep Water – William Douglas overcomes lifelong fear of water through determination.
The Rattrap – A philosophical tale of a peddler’s transformation through kindness.
Indigo – Shows Gandhi’s leadership in Champaran and his principles of truth and justice.
The Enemy – Dr. Sadao saves an enemy soldier, choosing humanity over nationalism.
On the Face of It – Mr. Lamb inspires Derry to overcome insecurity from his burnt face.
Memories of Childhood – Zitkala-Sa and Bama resist discrimination through self-respect and
education.
4. CHARACTER SKETCHES (DETAILED)
Franz – A young boy who realizes the value of his language only when it is lost. Innocent,
emotional, sensitive, later patriotic.
M. Hamel – A dedicated teacher who symbolizes duty, patriotism, and emotional strength.
Saheb-e-Alam – A ragpicker boy whose dreams are crushed by poverty; symbol of lost childhood.
William Douglas – A determined man who conquers fear through courage and hard work.
The Peddler – A lonely vagabond changed completely by kindness and compassion.
Mahatma Gandhi – A leader who uses truth and non-violence to achieve justice for peasants.
Dr. Sadao – A Japanese doctor torn between duty and humanity; chooses compassion.
Mr. Lamb & Derry – Characters who show how positivity and acceptance can heal emotional
wounds.
Zitkala-Sa & Bama – Brave women who resist cultural and caste discrimination through education.
5. BEST CHARACTER – M. HAMEL
M. Hamel is selected as the best character because he represents patriotism, culture, and
educational strength.
His dedication, emotional control, disciplined behaviour, and love for his language make him
timeless.
He teaches his last lesson with honour and inspires future generations to value their identity.
6. CHARACTER COMPARISON
Franz & Saheb – Both are children affected by social systems; Franz loses language, Saheb loses
childhood.
Douglas & The Peddler – Both undergo internal transformation: one defeats fear, the other defeats
negativity.
Gandhi & Sadao – Both follow moral courage; Gandhi fights injustice, Sadao follows humanity.
Mr. Lamb & M. Hamel – Both are teachers; Lamb teaches positivity, Hamel teaches patriotism.
7. CONCLUSION
The characters from Flamingo and Vistas represent universal emotions and human values.
They teach us to fight fear, protect culture, resist discrimination, help others, and believe in
kindness.
Their struggles and strengths inspire readers even today, proving that literature shapes character
and society.
