The BFG

“She longed to duck underneath them and lean out of the window to see what the world looked like now that the witching hour was at hand.”

Sophie is characterized as a curious person and she longs to know what the familiar street she lives on looks like in the middle of the night. Her thoughtful curiosity about the witching hour further characterizes her as intelligent and open-minded.

“Suddenly she froze. There was something coming up the street on the opposite side. It was something black…Something tall and black…Something very tall and very black and very thin.”

The BFG is initially characterized as mysterious and malevolent. Suspense builds for both Sophie and the reader as the figure approaches. Roald Dahl pairs the approaching character’s darkness with a sinister air. This language, which has racist undertones, has been redacted in the most recent editions of The BFG.

“The nose was as sharp as a knife, and above the nose there were two bright flashing eyes, and the eyes were staring straight at Sophie. There was a fierce and devilish look about them.”

Suspense builds as the mysterious giant looks at Sophie. The simile “sharp as a knife” is used to characterize the BFG as sinister and terrifying. The BFG’s enormous ears are not detailed, as this feature is more foolish and playful, whereas Dahl initially characterizes him as sinister. This sinister characterization contradicts the BFG’s actual personality.