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Mama
A character who I felt changed throughout the novel is Mama. She had switched from an immature, young girl to a mature mother who no longer relied on her own mother, Babcia to control her life and fix all her problems.

At the start of the novel, in the poems ‘Leaving Gdańsk Głowny’ (page 3 to 5) and the poem ‘Stansted’ (page 6 to 7) Mama had made the executive decision to move herself and her daughter, Kasienka to Coventry in England. Their destination was far away from their home and family in Poland. I do not think this was the right thing to do as she up-rooted Kasienka from her home and family, to a country so different to her own. This would be a difficult upheaval for her as she would be attending a new school in a new language. This drastic move was to search for Kasienka’s father who ‘walked out’. He did not even want to be with Mama anyway.

In the poem ‘Before England’ (page 27 to 29) we learn how hot tempered and dramatic Mama was, ‘when she pitched a coffee cup at the wall’ over Tata’s head, just because she was upset and did not get her way. This showed Mama’s youth and limited life experience. She cried for ‘two years’  when Tata left, even though she had a child to look after. Mama only cared about her own feelings, not anyone else’s.

During the poem ‘Mama’s Mama’ (page 62 to 63) Babcia travelled to Coventry. Mama refused everything she offered to do, like ‘mending the curtains’ or buying Kasienka ‘new swimming goggles’, which I gather Mama could not afford to pay for anyway. This demonstrates that Mama was very stubborn and selfish. She would only accept help when she wanted to. However, it also demonstrates that she is slowly maturing as she was learning to make her own decisions.

Later in the novel, we learn from the poem ‘Forgiveness’ (page 218) that Mama admits her mistakes and apologised to Kasienka for not letting her compete in a swimming competition. This signified the start of Mama’s real ‘metamorphosis’. She was finally coming to terms with the changes in her life.

In the poem ‘Treat’ (page 220) and ‘Resurrection’ (page 222), Kanoro took Mama out for dinner. She wore a ‘yellow dress’ that she had not worn since Tata brought her to the theatre back in Poland. She came home laughing and had a good time with Kanoro. This shows the minor change that had huge significance in her life but also in Kasienka’s life  because she was slowly returning to her usual self.

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Kasienka:

A character I found interesting was Kasienka. I chose Kasienka because she is the main character and has an interesting life. She has a mother that is searching for her runaway husband, a bully at school, teachers that call her Cassie, a boyfriend that really likes her and she has a huge passion for swimming.

In the chapter ‘In Mama’s Absence’ Kasienka is with William at his house. She is happy when she is with William. They enjoy each other’s company, laugh, cry and talk together. She loves William’s company because she can be herself and she doesn’t haveto put on a brave face or pretend to be someone she is not. ‘I cannot imagine why everyone is not in love with him’

Clair is a girl that bullies Kasienka and she makes Kasienka’s life hell at school. ‘Metamorphosis’ is a chapter I really like because it brings out a side in Kasienka that we never really see in the book. In this chapter Kasienka is confident and she stands up for herself and takes away Clair’s power by confronting her.

The way Kasienka is with Dalilah is another side of her we don’t really see in the book. When Kasienka is with Dalilah she tells her secrets and they take and all of their problems seen to go away.

Kasienka is a very different person depending on who she’s with. This girl being about to balance and live with all the emotions, hardship and love in her life, is quite extraordinary and brave.

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Kanoro

We first meet Kanoro in the novel W.O.W during the poem ‘Kanoro’ on page 44. He is an emigrant from Kenya living in Mama and Kasienka’s building. Kanoro is not like the other people living in the building who are rude and horrible. He is gentle and beautiful and Kasienka describes him as“Blacker than anyone I have ever met , with skin like wet ink and he scares me until I see his smile” Kanoro was a doctor in Kenya for children before he moved to Coventry. Kanoro is now just a cleaner in the hospital but he doesn’t mind as he says “ There is honour in all things.” This shows us he is grateful for anything he has and is a very humble man.

Mama and Kasienka want to get to know Kanoro better so they invite him over for dinner and he plays chess with them. Although Kanoro has never played chess before , he is willing to learn and he shows his intelligence by winning his 3rd game . We can tell Kanoro brings happiness to Mama and Kasienka as “ Mama smiles and laughs when he smiles”

Upon hearing the news that Kanoro has got a new job in St. Bart’s hospital, Mama has missed emotions. She is happy as he finally has a proper job suited to his qualifications but she is also sad as she knows Kanoro will be moving to London.

During the time that Kanoro was gone, Mama was sad and had no one to talk to. When Kanoro comes back to see Mama and Kasienka, I think this shows how much he really cared for them. Kanoro takes Mama out for a meal and she spruces herself up. I think Kanoro is a true friend and companion for Mama as he clearly makes her heart stronger

Kanoro is a true gentleman, who loved to help others, whether it was in the hospital or just by bringing happiness to his friends

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The character I chose is Kasienka
My favourite character in the book the weight of water is Kasienka. I think Kasienka is very sensitive and cares about others. She took care of Mama when Tata left and I think doing that made her more mature. I think she learned to take care of herself and Mama
‘Mama cried for two years when Tata left’

Clair bullies Kasienka and she really hurt Her at the start of the book Clair and other girls would surround Kasienka and make fun of her.
Kasienka never told Mama or a teacher. Clair sent texts to the whole of year eight about Kasienka
‘Guess what Cassie woz doin with Will at the swimming pool?! SLAG!

William and Kasienka like each other but Clair gets really jealous but that doesn’t stop them from being together.
one time when William and Kasienka were hanging out and Clair comes and kisses William on the side of the mouth. Kasienka was jealous
‘I am speechless ‘

Kasienka loves swimming and Tata taught her how to swim. Tata taught her everything she knows. When Kasienka found Tata she didn’t tell Mama. When Mama found out she would not speak to Kasienka for a long time. Mama was so angry with her fro lying to her
‘She was so angry she was seething’

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A character I found interesting was Mama. I chose her because she is  determined  “Mama will not give up” and she plays an important role in the book and in the main characters life.

When Mama moved to England with Kasienka her life changed a lot. Mama and Kasienka were poor and she didn’t have Babcia to help her.
Moving to England impacted her life in both negative and positive ways.

If she hadn’t moved to England she would never have met Kanoro who was a big part of moving on from Tata. Kanoro was there for Mama when she was sad about Tata but she was also there for Kanoro  when he was sad upset about his family. When she finally talked to Tata Kanoro was there to comfort her when she got back. Tata and Mama has a complicated relationship.

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I feel Kasienka changes throughout the book because during the book her confidence gets stronger and her life comes together at the end.

In the chapter ‘ The Odyssey ‘ is only thirteen years old and she was out with Mama in the freezing English weather , putting up posters about Tata when , kids her age would be doing their homework but she couldn’t say no to Mama. Eventually in the book Kasienka gets the courage to stand up to Mama but when she does, they get into a fight.

When Kasienka first started to get bullied by Clair she was very shy and confused. She would let Clair walk all over her and whatever Clair did, Kasienka wouldn’t stop her. At the end Kasienka had enough and said to Clair, “Why don’t you just piss off.” Clair was horrified, and was left powerless.

When Kasienka first met William she was afraid he wouldn’t like her because she was Polish . So she just nodded and did not speak. By the end of the novel she was fluent in English and spoke to him fine . They grew a close relationship between one another .

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A character from the novel Weight Of Water that I found interesting is Mama . Mama is one of the key characters in the novel . I would have to describe Mama as determined , childish and loving
-Childish-
In the book you can see that Mama has a very childish character . You can see this when Kaisenka decribes how Mama ' cried for two whole years and  Babcia held her all this time ‘ , this seems like something a child would do , not a women like Mama . Mama has always relied on her Mother , Babcia . Babcia cooks , cleans and looks after her . That is why I think she still acts as a child , because Babcia was always there to pick up the pieces after her .

-Detirmined-
Mama is detirmined to find Tata . This shows when she goes looking for him everynight with Kasienka . Mama puts posters up and risks both her and Kasienka’s life by knocking on houses of people that might be a threat to them . Just to find someone who doesn’t want to be found . ' when we’ve put up half the posters . I tell Mama it’s enough ‘ .

-Loving-
Mama tends to keep her feelings to herself . She tries not to express her feelings as she doesn’t want to get hurt again.
I think Mama is loving towards Kaisenka . This shows when Mama has to work a long week to provide the basic needs for Kasienka or , when Mama gives money for Kasienka to go swimming instead of keeping it to herself . Mama might not talk about her feelings , but she shows them in small ways .
' Good girl Kasienka ‘ .

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A character I feel progresses throughout the book is Mama.
She has been shown to be immature, and even a bit selfish sometimes but she cares about Kasienka and was upset when she thought Kasienka preferred Tata.

“Before Engand”: In this chapter Mama and Tata are arguing.
In the heat of the moment Mama ‘pitched a cup at the wall’ and then stormed off leaving Babcia to ‘pick up the pieces as usual.’

“Mama’s Mama”: In this chapter Mama stands up to Babcia for what seems to be the first time.
She refuses to let Babcia take Kasienka back to Poland.
‘Her home is with me, Mama’.
It shows that she’s stubborn and that Mama cares about Kasienka.

“Resurrection”: This is the last time Mama appears in the book.
She is recovering from her depression, she has finally forgiven Kasienka and she has her friendship/romance with Kanoro.
She isn’t fully better but she is on the road to recovery.
‘Mama is alive again.’

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Kanoro:

The character I found interesting is Kanoro. I chose him because he is a very smart and nice character. He is alway saying quotes to Kasienka to make her feel better. For example “patience can cook a stone.”

In the book Mama and Kasienka share a bathroom with Kanoro.”He is not nasty, he is beautiful.”Kasienka says about Kanoro. This shows that he must be a very nice person. He is also very smart because he wins his first game of chess and he has never played before.

At winter, Kasienka and Kanoro are waiting at the window to see if it snows. Kanoro has never seen snow, so he is very excited. When it does snow Kanoro says “let’s go. It’s snow.” They go outside and open their mouths to taste the snowflakes. This shows a childish , but fun and soft side of Kanoro.

Near the end of the book. Kanoro get accepted to work in London as a doctor. He has to leave and they are all very sad. Later on when he comes back. He has a new car and takes Mama out for dinner, for her birthday. He was nice to come back. Even though his lifestyle changed, his good and caring personality didn’t.

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A character I think changes throughout the novel is Kasienka. She has a lot of aspects and dynamics to her personality. She manages to stay strong throughout Weight Of Water with all that’s happening with Mama and Tata. She also deals with Clair and the other bullies and can still get through it.

An example of when she changes in the book is when she stands up to Clair in ‘Metamorphosis’. She says “why don’t you just piss off”, and Clair is horrified . This shows she evolved as a character as before, she was shy and quiet.

Another example, is how she acted towards William. In the chapter, ‘William’ she is shy and awkward when she talks to him “and with a twisted tongue I tell him”. Whereas in the chapter ‘In Mama’s absence’ she is very confident with him.

She also changes her attitude towards Mama. In ‘The Odyssey’ she does what  Mama tells her to do “mama makes me knock”. But in the chapters ‘Betrayal’ and ‘Lies in the dark’ she is going behind Mama’s back to go to the swimming competition.

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Melanie  is one of my favourite characters, She is kind, caring and nice to everyone. Every time Kasienka shows up on Melanie and Tata’s door step Melanie welcomes her in and makes her feel at home. She doesn’t see Kasienka as the forgotten child, she sees her a a second daughter.
Kasienka notices that Melanie never complains, she does all the housework, plays with Briony and talks to Kasienka ‘She asks about me: about school, swimming, Poland – never about Mama, of course.’
Melanie notices the little things. She comes to Kasienka’s school to see if she wants to come swimming with her and Briony. Melanie knows Kasienka likes to swim due to the fact that she listens to her.
Melanie has Kasienka best interests at heart. Even though she isn’t Kasienska’s legal parent, she still signed Kasienka permission slip since she knows it meant a lot to Kasienka. ‘We would like you to come and live with us Kasienska,’ is what Melanie said to Kasienka at dinner it shows that Melanie really loves Kasienka and wants what’s best for her.

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My favourite character is Kasienka. I think she is a great character who changes throughout the course of the novel. When we are first introduced to her, she is shy and nervous and is very embarrased of herself, but evolves to becoming more sure of herself.

My favourite characteristic Kasienka shows is her strength when swimming. She feels strong and beautiful in the water even though she is very self conscious with herself comparred to other girls with ‘polished toenails and shaved legs’. I admire her competitiveness in her sports. I feel it is a great quality all girls should have. Kasienka feels ‘girls shouldn’t want to beat eachother’ but she does.

Kasienka also shows how caring and understanding she is. When the new girl, Dalilah comes in, she is quick to befriend her. Kasienka ‘wants a friend’ and wants Dalilah to have one too. In ‘sleepover’, Kasienka and Dalilah share secrets with eachother. As both of the girls are different, they can understand and relate to one another.

I also admire Kasienka’s determination. I love how in the end of the novel she seems to have grown up and become more mature. She is determined to let Clair know her bullying won’t bother her anymore at her swimming competition. ‘Why don’t you just piss off’ Kasienka said.

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I chose Kanoro as my favourite character, because he is a smart, caring and considerate person and I admire him. Throughout the book he has always been there for Mama and Kasienka. He works as a cleaner and he is proud to be one, but he is qualified as a doctor. ‘There is honour in all things’ .Before he came to coventry he worked as a children’s doctor in Africa. He is African himself.
In the chapter ‘Talk’ Kanoro helps Kasienka and speaks to her when she needs his advice. She tells him how she is getting bullied. He listens with interest without interrupting or ignoring it. He says ‘There is no hyena without a friend. What will you do?’. I think this response is perfect. It shows how bright and clever he is. Thinking about others and truly being a friend almost family in his case. It empowers Kasienka, making her feel like she can do it. Like she has the confidence. This shows how he lifts people up and makes everyone around him feel comfortable and happy.
Kanoro has an interest in Mama…. romantically. He like her because even when he moved away and became a wealthier, successful man. He came back to Mama and Kasienka to visit them. ‘Kanoro arrives without warning.’ It shows the his love for them is more important than the money he is earning. I love how genuine he is and true to his moral character and, that is why he is my favourite character.

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CLAIR
I chose Clair as my character as I found her interesting. I also wanted to find out more on why she was so mean to Kasienka. I would describe Clair as a mean, insensitive and rude character.

This is explored throughout the book numerous times. Clair asks Kasienka ‘why her hair is short’?  ‘Is it because your lesbian?’I found this really rude and judgemental. Having short hair doesn’t define you in any way.

In the chapter ‘hunt’ Clair was rude to Kasienka again. ‘They don’t have to say a thing. They just have to stare’. Kasienka said. Afterwards a piece of paper appears in Kasienka’ s locker. It said FYI: ‘you smell like old meat’

After this Kasienka ran to the bathroom as she believed this nasty rumor was true. I think this really hurt Kasienka’s feeling as after the other girls came in laughing at her.

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I have decided to choose Kasienka as my favourite character in the novel because she has lots of very important characteristics about her that made me really like her as a person.

I think throughout the novel Kasienka shows her determination and that she doesn’t just give up. She shows this when she was put into Year 7, with children a lot younger than her. ‘I am twelve. Almost thirteen. I’ve budding breasts and monthly bleeds, but I am in a class with eleven year old’. Although she didn’t like it , she worked hard until she got moved up to Year 8. I also think when Clair was bullying her, Kasienka just worked harder than her to to beat Clair.

I think that Kasienka is thoughtful and accepting because when Dalilah joins the class, She doesn’t mind that she is wearing a veil and is a different religion to her. Kasienka just wants to be her friend ‘ Mostly I want a friend’. She just likes Dalilah for who she is.

In the book Kasienka shows that she is passionate. Kasienka is passionate about many things, but what stood out to me was her passion for swimming and William. Even though Clair was bullying Kasienka because she liked William, Kasienka never left William and they stuck by each other and gave each other confidence ‘Stand up for yourself’ . Kasienka has always enjoyed swimming from a young age and didn’t give up on it. Kasienka always worked hard to prove to Clair and herself she is good enough.

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William
William is an important character in the book, he has a big affect on Kasienka and the story. William is first mentioned in the book as “the staring boy” because when Kasienka tries to go swimming to clear her head she is gazed at by the “ staring boy”. He is then labelled as “the boy in year nine”.

He is two years ahead of Kasienka in school which makes him “more mature than Kasienka” and her friends as we see in the book when he does not involve himself in the drama between Kasienka and Clair even though he is the subject. When William and Kasienka become a couple this aggravates Clair which starts the whole dilemma of Kasienka being bullied.

Later on in the book when Kasienka and William attend his Nan’s party they both go in to Williams and open up to each other, about their parents and the bulling going on between Clair and Kasienka but William does not pity her or take over the situation but gives her the confidence to “stand up for herself”.

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I chose mama because I think she is an interesting character in the book and she shows changes in her life. She goes through hard times: with Tata abandoning her, leaving home and Babcia (who she depended on), watching Kasienka become more distant from her and being devastated to find out that Tata has moved on and has a new family.

Mama cried for 2 years when Tata left (this is another sign of her immaturity). She then moved to Coventry where she was driven by a furious determination to find Tata her ‘Prince Charming’.
“So lucky we are Kasienka, so close to Tata. He is here somewhere.”

When Mama finds Tata she is heartbroken. Tata has a new family, a house, a child (Briony) and even better money to take care of it all.
She dreams of “Tata and Kasienka plotting against her.” Mama tells kasienka it’s not her fault and forgives her.
Kanoro arrives back to Coventry to visit and Mama puts in “a yellow dress and heels.” This is a sign that she is finally moving on and starting to care about her appearance. Mama went through 2 years of devastation but in the end she has become a better person and I learnt a lot.
“I think I need a haircut” Mama says.
This is why I chose Mama.

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Kanoro
A character who I feel changes during the book ‘The Weight of Water’ is Kanoro. I like Kanoro because he encourages Kasienka to look on the bright side of things, to see the good in the bad. Kanoro doesn’t change his personality in the book but he does change his profession, from a cleaner in a hospital to a professional children’s doctor. He still comes back for Mama and Kasienka.

When Kasienka first comes into Kasienka and Mama’s lives, he makes them smile. He says ‘There is honour in all things’. That no matter who you are or what your job is, it doesn’t matter because everyone is equal.

In ‘Radio News Flash’, Kanoro sits with Mama. They share a knowing glance. They don’t talk of it. They don’t need to. I hey both know the dangers of themselves getting attacked. It is because they are foreign.

In ‘Reunion’, Kasienka is waiting for William when Kanoro arrives. Kanoro hugs Kasienka and says ‘Where’s my birthday girl?’  He came back to Mama and Kasienka even though they are poor and he is a successful children’s doctor. It shows that it doesn’t matter how rich or poor you are, that ‘ There is honour in all things’.

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Character: Clair

A character I found interesting in Weight of Water is Clair. I chose Clair becasue she gets gets mad and bullies Kasienka. Clair does this because William liked Kasienka and not her.

Clair and Kasienka were friends. But William won a swimming trophy and passed it down the line to Kasienka. ‘you’re friends with  Will’  says Clair. ‘I dont think we are friends exactly’. Kasienka replies.

Clair sends a message to everyone in year eight except for Kasienka. Arlene shows Kasienka the message. ‘Guess what Cassie woz doin with Will at the swimming pool !? SLAG !!!’.  After  this Kasienka was scared to talk to William. Clair sent this message because she was jelous. Kasienka and William were just swimming and talking at the pool.

Kasienka’s hair is not like everyone elses. It sticks up and is wirey. For Kasienka’s name day Mama gets a hair straightener so her hair will lie flat. Clair notices Kasienka is trying to fit in. Clair sits behind Kasienka in assembly. She cuts chuncks of her hair out. ‘I was trying to get it right’ Kasienka says

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Melanie

I think Melanie is an interesting character because all of a sudden after her normal life with Briony her daughter and Tata her ‘partner’ she is hit with a bombshell.

Kasienka shows up at Melanie and Tata’s  home, a squat little house. She tells Melanie her name and some of her story, why she is here and that Tata is her father. I don’t think Melanie knew anything about Tata’s past life in Poland: with Mama and Kasienka, leaving them abruptly one day; the fights that had occurred between Mama and Tata. We know this because when Tata arrives home from work that day and sees Kasienka (his daughter, who he abandoned and hasn’t seen in 2 years, since he left Poland) Melanie says “I know”, and went upstairs to cry.

Melanie was very kind to Kasienka and treated her like her own daughter, even though she didn’t have to be kind, “ I don’t want her to be nice. It isn’t her job.” She could turn Kasienka away at the doorstep, hungry and tired, but she doesn’t do that. She wouldn’t. Because she’s nice.  This shows that Melanie is a very accepting and welcoming person to Kasienka. She baked for Kasienka and always made sure Kasienka was well fed.

Again, I think she is a very nice person because she and Tata, (although Melanie said the words) asked Kasienka to live with them, “We would like you to come and live with us, Kasienka. Here.” This obviously shows us that she cares about Kasienka and wants her to live in a better way and better place with them in their home.

Melanie takes Briony to the pool and thinks Kasienka might like to go too. This shows that Melanie thinks of her and wants to include her in outings with Briony. Ironically this ends in Kasienka saving Briony from drowning.

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Clair
The character I find interesting is Clair. I find her interesting because she is jealous of Kasienka and also makes fun of Kasienka and bullies her.

Clair found out William liked Kasienka at the awards ceremony .William passed his gold swimming medal down the row to Kasienka. Clair said ‘You’re friends with Will?’ Clair was very jealous because she likes William and everything was fine before Kasienka came to the school.

Clair now bullies Kasienka in lots of different ways like cutting her hair, calling her lesbian because she has short hair, putting notes in her locker, saying ‘FYI: you smell like old meat’ and calling her bag ridiculous when it looks like everyone else’s.

When Clair is alone she doesn’t bully Kasienka she only bullies her when she is with a group of girls, Kasienka feels like ‘a fox surrounded by beagles’ . When Clair and Kasienka were at the lockers, Clair didn’t know what to say so said ‘hi’ while fake smiling and blinking. At the end of the novel Kasipenka finally stood up to Clair and says ‘why don’t you just piss off’. Then the girls with Clair stepped away laughing . Clair feels like she lost and on her own.

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Mama:
The character I have chosen is Mama because throughout the novel she is changing from an immature girl to a mature mother.

Before England, Mama pitched a coffee cup at Tata. Babcia picked up the broken pieces as usual. Later Tata left and Mama cried for two whole years. I think this shows that Mama is quite immature and doesn’t take care of herself, and she needs someone to take care of her.

Mama does not look at Kasienka after they have found Tata. She lies in bed with a book and a glass of wine held to her heart. Kasienka asks Mama if she can go to a swim meet but Mama says “No.Absolutely.No.” I think this shows that Mama is being childish about the situation and she is saying no to Kasienka because Mama thinks Kasienka loves Tata more than her.

Later, Mama says sorry for not letting Kasienka go to the swim meet. She goes out with Kanoro and wears a yellow dress and heels. Mama even says “I think I need a haircut”.This tells us that Mama is moving on from Tata, and finally taking care of herself.

This is why I chose Mama.

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The character who I think changes the most throughout the novel is Mama. She goes from being hysterical to sad and from sad to reasonable and back again. She loves Kasienka but Mama still pretended she didn’t exist after her ‘betrayal’ with Tata. ‘She does not look at me anymore’

Before England

I think that this is a good example of how Mama acted at the start of the book. She was crazy and out of control. She threw a coffee cup at Tata because she was angry. I think this is no way for a mother to behave. This makes the readers believe that she is younger than the average mother. ‘Babcia picked up the pieces as usual.’

The Odyessy

This is a good example of Mama being unreasonable and selfish. She takes Kasienka with her to find Tata who obviously doesn’t want to be found. She is being selfish because she doesn’t care that Kasienka is supposed to be doing her homework or relaxing. She only cares about herself. “You in a hurry to be somewhere else?’ Mama asks.’

Forgiveness

This is the point in the book where Mama starts to grow up a little. She accepts that Tata isn’t coming back and moves on with her life. She stops blaming Kasienka for her actions and takes responsibility. I think it shows how much Mama has matured through the book. ‘It wasn’t your fault, Kasienka.’

I think Mama is a good person who just made some bad decisions. She grew and changed a lot since the start of the book. I think she is very interesting. This is why I chose her.

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A character who I found interesting in Weight Of Water is Kanoro because he’s grateful for what he has, even when he has nothing.
Kanoro:

Kanoro lives in Kasienka and Mama’s building. Kasienka describes him as ‘beautiful.’ He has dark skin and ‘a smile that makes his eyes twinkle.’ In Kenya he was a doctor but in Coventry he’s a cleaner in a hospital. Mama tells Kanoro that he is better than the English, he disagrees, saying, ‘There is honour in all things.’
Lottery:
Kanoro is sitting down, clasping a piece of paper. He invites Kasienka to sit with him. Kasienka can tell that he holds a confession. ‘Your father’s address,’ he says and gives Kasienka the piece of paper. He tells her to go alone and not tell Mama.
Good News:
Kanoro is going to be a doctor in St. Bart’s. ‘He is so excited he knocks over a lamp.’ He and Mama hug.

Kanoro’s character development throughout the book shows that he started from rock bottom and worked his way up. He also builds a romantic relationship with Mama.

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Clair Character by Jennifer Ellen Marron

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Clair Character by Jennifer Ellen Marron

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I have chosen the character Clair as she is mentioned throughout the book a lot and I think there may be more to her then how she is described. Clair comes across as a pretty popular girl but to some people, she displays her dark side. She bullies a number of her classmates and particularly picks on Kasienka. She is Kasienka’s “friend” at the start of the book until one day she sees Kasienka with a boy she herself, likes and suddenly Clair is over whelmed with jealousy and hatred towards Kasienka. From then on Kasienka is the target of all  Clair’s anger. First Clair cuts Kasienka’s hair when she knew Kasienka wanted to grow it. Then she spread rumours about Kasienka being a slag. Lastly Clair tried to interfere with Kasienka becoming swim team captain. Despite all these horrible incidents, I’m not sure that Clair is really a bad person. Although Clair has many friends, her friendships are for the wrong reasons. She only let’s people into her pack when she can be certain that she will have power over them. To me this might be a sign of someone who is really insecure and may have been bullied herself or have a difficult home life etc. In a strange way I feel sorry for Clair because despite her many friends it seems she has no-one she can really trust or talk to. I think Clair needs to find someone she can really talk to and figure out a way to channel her power and influence into something more positive.

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A character I found interesting was Clair.

At the start of the novel she is really nice to Kasienka, but quickly turns on her after finding out that she likes William, who was Clair’s crush. She starts to spread rumours about Kasienka and William, instead of telling Kasienka how she feels. This shows how she is better at indirect bullying than direct.
“Guess what Cassie woz doin with Will at the swimming pool?! SLAG!!!”

After some time of Clair not speaking to Kasienka, and refusing to tell her what’s wrong, Clair tries to force her to do a series of dares. If she completes these dares, she’ll be “allowed to sit with everyone during lunch for a week” but “as a trial”.This is Clair’s way of making sure Kasienka knows who’s in charge.

Clair does this to all her ‘friends’, making sure that they all know who’s boss. Her friends all follow out of fear. This is shown in the poem “Side by Side”. This friendship group is built on fear of Clair, but also a longing to prove themselves to her. It is so strong that even Kasienka notices their “thirst for admission”.

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William:
A character I find interesting is William. I chose him because he was kind to Kasienka when no one else in school was.

I think William is caring. When Kasienka is alone at lunch William sits with her. He doesn’t care that no one else likes her. He likes her anyway. He cares about her and noticed when she hadn’t been at the pool, “ You haven’t been at swim practice.” “So maybe I’ll see you at the pool this week.”

I also think William is thoughtful. I feel this because he understands how Kasienka feels.He gives her good advice. He also reassures her when she is upset that how Clair kisses him to show she likes him. “He says, So, are we meeting tomorrow.” I think this was very thoughtful of him as he knew it would reassure Kasienka that he only likes her.

William is also encouraging. When Kasienka was at her lowest and didn’t believe in herself, he told her to be more confident. This this was exactly what she needed to do. “He could save me from the pack but he does not want to,: he knows I can save myself.”

William has always supported Kasienka.That is why I think he wasn’t mentioned in the epilogue. Kasienka doesn’t need William and he doesn’t need her but they enjoy their time together.

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A character who I felt changed throughout the book was Mama. Her main change, I think, was how she matured. She is quite independent by the end and showed both maturity and immaturity at many times in the book. “ Mama is still crying ”.
The first indication that Mama was immature, was when she cried on Babcias shoulders for two years after Tata left and then found furious determination within herself to chase after him to Coventry and takes Kasienka with her. It showed that Mama felt she couldn’t live without him. I feel this reveals immaturity because she needs to know how to be independent not just for herself but for her daughter. “ Poor Mama is too tired to cook, so I make dinner”.
She cries and cries after Kasienka finds Tata and even refuses to let Kasienka go on a swimming trip. As the book ends Mama starts to heal and becomes aware that she doesn’t need Tata and can finally do it on her own. “ I think I need a hair cut” Mama says.

This is why i chose Mama.