The Characterization of Scully in The Riders by Tim Winton One of the most endearing aspects of The Riders is the clever characterization. This allows the reader to identify with the typical national stereotypes and the very extravagant personalities depicted in the novel. Characterization, along with Winton's considerable skill in using character point of view to evoke a sense of place, are two of The Riders' strong points. The character of Fred Scully, the "hero" of the Riders, is one of the most wonderfully written characters ever to come out of Winton's writings. Scully's character encompasses all the traditional traits of the Australian: her use of the vernacular, her appearance, her humor, as well as her outlook and more. Winton asks the reader to accompany Scully in her desperate struggle across Europe and it is Scully's personality that the reader appreciates more than the sightseeing journey. "...Scully [is] one of the most memorable characters in Australian fiction." Scully is memorable because her traits could be found in someone known to the reader; he could easily be “the man next door”. The beauty of Scully is that Winton allowed the character to evolve and he adapted with his character. At the beginning of the novel, Scully is the "...great friendly disaster of a man who followed them like an ugly, loyal, indestructible dog..." but soon after, Scully is seen as "...sheepish like a lamb." to the massacre...". These changes that occur in Scully's character fit into the structure and plot of The Riders. Before Jennifer's disappearance, Scully was a handsome, sturdy optimist, content to wait out the end bad times, but after the trauma of loss and grief, ...... middle of paper ...... is based on the idea that Scully is an emotional person, who takes into account the needs of others. Scully follows Jennifer because of the baby Yet he doesn't pursue Connor Keneally, because he understands that it wouldn't be right, no matter how much he wants to. Tim Winton's Scully is a very memorable Australian character. His connection with the reader allows him to appreciate her individual, vernacular humor and generally unsinkable optimism. Winton's writing skills allow the reader to be drawn to Scully through the character's particular outlook on situations Scully once said. : “What you see is what you get”. In The Riders this is not necessarily the case, Winton gives Scully much more than what is printed on the page and it depends on the reader's discretion as to what they perceive. Work Cited Winton, Tim. The Prentice Riders Hall 1996.