Character Analysis of Elaine Taylor in Gillian Rubenstein's Space Demons
In the novel ‘Space Demons’ by Gillian Rubenstein, Elaine Taylor is one of the protagonists who displays a range of temperaments throughout the novel and she supports other protagonists. Overall, Elaine has a flexible and friendly behaviour towards everybody especially her peers. However, she is also lonely due to her father’s constant change of dwellings which results in her not making friends as she never stays in one place for long.
Furthermore, Elaine’s melancholy and loneliness is exacerbated by her mother’s abandonment of her when she was young. Hence, she suffers from low self esteem and feels isolated and alone at times. This is evident when she writes imaginary letters to try and feel close to her mum... “Dear mum, Elaine thought, are you dead? Is that why you never answer my letters? (pg.15). This shows how alone and isolated Elaine feels because she has no one to turn to when the need arises. Throughout her young life, she has lived with the belief that she was not good enough and that’s why her mother walked away leaving her behind. Her feelings of loneliness are further supported by her father’s constant movements which prevent her from making lifelong friends.
However, Elaine is also quiet friendly and compassionate by nature, as she decides not to shoot Andrew even though she knows that he does not like her and is only using her for his own benefit. This is evident when she says “It’s no good, I just don’t seem to hate you anymore. I keep remembering how you helped me get the board clean. That was really nice of you. (pg.82). This shows her kind heartedness and compassion for someone who she knows is in different towards her but she keeps remembering him helping her. Hence, she is unable to feel hatred towards him.
Being flexible and friendly, Elaine is also easily influenced by her peers like Andrew Hayford. This is evident when she thinks... “Why does Ben let himself be bossed around? Why does John? Why do I? (pg.51). Her lack of
Furthermore, Elaine’s melancholy and loneliness is exacerbated by her mother’s abandonment of her when she was young. Hence, she suffers from low self esteem and feels isolated and alone at times. This is evident when she writes imaginary letters to try and feel close to her mum... “Dear mum, Elaine thought, are you dead? Is that why you never answer my letters? (pg.15). This shows how alone and isolated Elaine feels because she has no one to turn to when the need arises. Throughout her young life, she has lived with the belief that she was not good enough and that’s why her mother walked away leaving her behind. Her feelings of loneliness are further supported by her father’s constant movements which prevent her from making lifelong friends.
However, Elaine is also quiet friendly and compassionate by nature, as she decides not to shoot Andrew even though she knows that he does not like her and is only using her for his own benefit. This is evident when she says “It’s no good, I just don’t seem to hate you anymore. I keep remembering how you helped me get the board clean. That was really nice of you. (pg.82). This shows her kind heartedness and compassion for someone who she knows is in different towards her but she keeps remembering him helping her. Hence, she is unable to feel hatred towards him.
Being flexible and friendly, Elaine is also easily influenced by her peers like Andrew Hayford. This is evident when she thinks... “Why does Ben let himself be bossed around? Why does John? Why do I? (pg.51). Her lack of