THE RAILWAY CHILDREN CHARACTERS The characters are the people in the story.

There are main characters and minor characters. You need to be able to: describe the characters physical appearance describe the traits of the characters compare and contrast the characters understand the relationship between characters make judgements and draw conclusions about characters Main Characters Roberta (Bobbie), Peter and Phyllis The three children have common character traits Character Traits Examples of Textual Evidence Loving They want to surprise their mother by getting the Obedient breakfast ready. (p. 8) They do not ask their mother any questions so as not to make her unhappy. (p.4, 39) They try to get their mother the things the doctor says she needs to get well. (p. 17) They are sorry when they realise they have done something wrong. (p. 16, 21) Thoughtful They plan a birthday celebration for Perks. (p.34) Kind They give the post office lady flowers and a present after she told them no one remembered her birthday. (p. 35) Helpful They help with the packing and unpacking. (p. 4, 9) Hardworking They go to look for the in the red shirt when he does not come out of the tunnel. (p. 45) Brave They save the train. (p.29-31) They tell their mother the truth even though it is not easy. (p. 21) They go to the dark tunnel to look for the boy in the red shirt even though it is frightening. Clever They think of asking the old gentleman for help when Creative they need some things to help their mother to recover Imaginative from her illness. (p. 17) They use the girls red petticoats to make flags to warn the train of the danger. (p. 29) They pretend that the train is going to London and will take their love to their father. (p.15-16, 53)

Loyal

Polite Well-mannered Independent Adventurous Unsure about what is right and what is wrong

They never forget their father. (p.39) They do not tell anyone bout the coal Peter took. (p.12) The girls stick up for Peter when he is caught by the Station Master stealing coal. (p.14) They thank the old gentleman and say sorry when they are in the wrong. (p.21) They speak politely to the villagers. (p.36) They wander around on their own. (p.10, 27, 43) They make a lot of decisions on their own. (p.24,29) They do not realise that taking coal from the station yard is stealing. (p.13-14) They are unsure whether it is right to ask the old gentleman for the things their mother needs. (p.21) They are unsure whether it is right to ask people for things for Perks. (p. 34)

1) ROBERTA (always called BOBBIE) The eldest in the family 12 years old CHARACTER TRAITS EXAMPLES OF TEXTUAL EVIDENCE Responsible Fetches coal and wood to make a fire on the first night. Takes charge and get her siblings to think of a way to get their mother the things the doctor said she must have. Does not tell Peter and Phyllis the worrying truth about their father. Stays with the injured boy in the tunnel and tries to make him comfortable. Brave Runs onto the track to stop the train. Determined Explain to Perks why the villagers gave him the presents so that he would accept them. Writes to the old gentleman for help to clear her fathers name. Devoted Her heart fills with love to see how brave her Loving mother is. Thinks of her father often. Worries about her mother. Believes her father has done nothing wrong.

Understanding Sensitive

Understand how her mother feels. Has a strange feeling that something is going to happen just before her father arrives at the railway station.

PETER Only boy in the family Middle child 10 years old Wants to be an engineer CHARACTER TRAITS EXAMPLES OF TEXTUAL EVIDENCE Proud Will not admit he cried when his toy steam engine was broken. Brave Clever Resourceful Generous