Characters

The most important character in the short story “Shopping for One” by Anne Cassidy is Jean, from whose perspective the events are rendered. The other customers, including the two women Jean overhears, function as triggers of Jean’s feelings of loneliness and inadequacy.

Jean

Jean is the main character in the short story, and most of her characterisation is done indirectly through her thoughts, memories, and attitude.

All we know about Jean’s outer characterisation is that she is single and owns a cat. We do not know her age, occupation or the way she looks like. However, based on her shopping cart and on the way she thinks, we may assume that she is probably in her thirties.

Inner characterisation

Her inner characterisation reveals the woman to be frustrated and to experience feel...