Characters Flashcards
What is Raphael’s character like?
Raphael is the one who finds the bag at the beginning of the story. He is also very close to Gardo throughout the story and he acts more carefree. This until he is tortured in the police station and then he is more cautious and has nightmares.
What is Gardo’s character like?
Gardo’s character is much more serious and stronger than Raphael. Through the use of his cunning character he is able to get into places and he also is prepared to fight in any situation. He could have had a rough background which explains his streetwise attitude.
What is Rat’s character like?
Rat is not originally from Behala dumpsite but quickly fits in. He lives in a hole under the trash with hundreds of rats. He got the nickname Rat because he looks like one and lives with them. He eventually makes very good friend with Gardo and Raphael. This is because near the end of the story everyone else starts calling him Jun jun and he even calls himself that. He is very streetwise and keeps lots of secrets from everyone. We find out quite late in the story that he was able to live with rats and in trash while keeping thousands of pesos locked away which tells us he is very strong-minded
What is senator zapanta’s charcter like
We never actually meet this character but he is the villain of the story. A corrupt politician who has pocketed millions meant for the poor. He lives in a sprawling mansion in the rich part of the city and he seems to have a lot of influence everywhere – particularly in the police who seem desperate to help him get his stolen money back. When the story ends, he is still in power.
What is Father Julliard’s character like
He is the character who ‘puts all the stories together’. A kind, generous priest who has been running in the Pascal Aguila Mission school in Behala for 7 years. He is desperate to promote education amongst the young trash pickers but he is largely unsuccessful. He is easily manipulated by the three boys but seems glad of this. He is forced to retire dues to the events of the novel.
What is sister Olivia’s character like
A 22-year-old ‘temporary house mother’ at the mission school. Whilst travelling the world after university she visited Behala and decided to stay and help. Like Father Juilliard, she is kind and generous and feels particularly sorry for Rat. She is also willing to spend a lot of money to buy Gardo clothes and gain entrance to the prison. Due to her involvement in the events of the story, she is deported.
What is Jose Angelico’s character like
A ‘house boy’ at Senator Zapanta’s house, he waits many years to get his revenge on the senator for the imprisonment of his grandfather Gabriel Olondriz. He dies at the hands of the police during an interrogation, but manages to throw away the clues to the money before they get to him. His life is marred in tragedy – losing his wife and son but his bravery and dedication to do what is right give the boys courage throughout.
What us Gabriel olondrez’s character like
The adopted grandfather of Jose Angelico, Olondriz was a ‘small officer’ who discovered that Zapanta had spirited away 30 million dollars in UN aid money. In trying to bring about justice, Olondriz finds himself in jail for the rest of his life. He is symbol of goodness in a corrupt system.
What is Pia Dante’s character like
Pia is Jose Angelico’s daughter and is a quiet and fragile character. She is left orphaned when he dies. She waits for her father to pick her up at Naravo cometary for two weeks so when the boys find her she is starving and dirty and still in her school uniform. She goes with the boys to Sampalo at the end of the story.
What is Raphael’s aunt’s character like
She foolishly hints to the police that Raphael found something in the trash and because of this Raphael is eventually tortured in a police station. She cautions the boys about what they are doing and is very afraid of the police.
What is Marco’s character like
A prison guard who asks the boys for money in exchange for Gabriel Olondriz’s bible. He ultimately betrays the boys by telling the police.
