John Baker Character Study
By Omar Abudayyeh
Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Spring 2007

John has brown hair, slightly parted to one side, and dark brown eyes. He has a big build for a ten year old boy, but he does not make good use of it because he enjoys seclusion and the indoors. John always finds himself sitting in the library reading books for hours and hours. If he isnt reading, he is then carving wood, a strong passion of his. His room is filled with wood carving tools and spare wood ready to be made into fanciful trinkets or utilitarian devices. It is a tiny room, adequate enough for his basic needs: sleep and carving. He always leaves the window of his room open in summer to let in the gentle, warm breeze. This helps him to concentrate. Both carving and reading require individuality and quietness, complementing his propensity for seclusion. If left alone for just a few hours, he could emerge with the most beautiful wooden ornament ever seen. He dreams of carving wood for the rest of his life. Traveling the world to look for different types of wood to carve is the goal of his life.

Johns dad is the village baker, and he persistently tries to engage John in the art of baking, but John stubbornly stays loyal to his books and wood. His dad is disappointed that his eldest son will not follow the family line of bakers, but he hopes that he can encourage the younger boys to pursue baking. The baker shop is on the Town Square, in the center of town. Every morning the smell of fresh baked bread permeates the still air, drawing people into the shop. It is a small, cozy store that is adequate enough for baking and selling bread.

Johns house stands close to the town square and is two stories. His dad has become very wealthy from the prosperous baking trade, and so the house is very ornate. It contains many rooms, allowing each child to have his/her own bedroom. A wonderful garden surrounds the house and greatly complements the well decorated interior.

One day, for some odd reason, John decided to go outside and drink lemonade with the other kids. This is a strong deviation from his normal quotidian activities. Even the other kids notice this irregularity, but shrug it off and welcome him into their circle. Unfortunately, this is the same day John experiences a new side of himself for he somehow manages to disappear along with the rest of the kids on the day the Piper plays his flute, never to be seen again.

For Reflection:
In 1284, would John have had access to many books? What book titles would be available for John to read, and where would the books be kept?

In 1284, would John know how to read? Who was taught to read and write in this time frame?

Omar indicates that the Bakers are so wealthy; they have a house big enough to have a bedroom for each child. Would this have been true for even the very wealthy in 1284? How do family dynamics and household arrangements compare between today and in 1284?

After John disappears, what do you think happens to his carving tools and all the wooden things he made? Do you think John gets to carve even after he went with the Piper?

Can you write a story from Johns point of view, and what made him go with the Piper?