Character Sketch- Revision

Judith, “Jude”, Arwood is a studious young journalist living in Boston, Massachusetts. At the time of the narrative, she will be 27 years old. The narrative will begin with her arrival back in her hometown of Spring Hill, Arkansas, after the passing of her mother, Christine.     Judith was born in Spring Hill in 1949 and lived there up until she decided to move to Boston for university to study journalism. She grew an appreciation for journalism, specifically in missing persons cases, because of some sticking feelings from a childhood event in which she had gotten lost for several days in the woods near her town. After moving at age 18, she never returned to her hometown and only stayed connected through phone calls to her mother.     The reason for the distance she put between herself, and her home is due to a childhood trauma she faced at 11 years old, in which she’d gotten lost in the woods on Halloween night. Judith had been missing for several days before she was found by search parties, and not only did this lead to a lingering fear of the thick woods surrounding Spring Hill, but it also led to some unresolved resentment toward her faith. Spring Hill was a devoted evangelical town, with the church being central to all the inhabitants' lives both socially and privately. Judith’s mother, Christine, was no different from her fellow townspeople and raised her daughter to be just as dedicated to her faith. The experience of being lost lead to a severe break from her traditions, as she held a resentment toward the idea of a god that would leave a little girl alone in the woods for days with no help. Judith found herself searching for answers in the only information that was concrete. Facts were something tangible that she could latch onto, and the conception of an indifferent universe seemed more reasonable to her if it meant all she had to do was prepare for it. She followed her plan religiously to avoid feeling lost again (go to college, no parties, get good grades, get a degree, make a stable career, live comfortably, find security in the city, try not to take unnecessary risks, etc).     Judith’s crisis of faith affected her relationship with her mother a bit. They fought more often than either would like to admit, but it was mostly because they cared for each other. Judith couldn’t stand to see her mother scammed by the idea of religion. Judith knew the town was on the long road toward a dead end fast, and thought the idea of praying for better days would only waste their time. Judith’s mother, of course, worried about her daughter’s life after death. The thought of Judith being condemned by God kept her up at night. Though they fought and tensions were sometimes high, they both just wanted to see each other happy.     Judith’s attitudes toward life are reflected in her manners and appearance. She carries herself high, and with a certain pride. She tends to be sure of herself and her thoughts, leaning toward intellectual self-confidence to feel any instability. At times she can be a little condescending when it comes to the faithful, as she views religious dedication to be naive at best. Her voice is flat and matter of fact. When talking to others she will try to make her own opinion heard if she needs to but recognizes that there is no point in saying anything if she does not feel she will make a tangible difference in a situation. Most might find her cold and academic, but in the right situation she can be a comforting voice, like the individuals she interviews. She dresses plainly and has dark features that make her look like she belongs in an old bookstore. With mousy hair and brown eyes that sit wide in her tired eyes, she tries not to distract herself by busying herself just to appeal to others. She wears neutral colors, standard for any occasion. Browns, greys, blacks, and a tasteful addition of creme make up her wardrobe along with a thick plaid brown jacket which she’s worn for years. She might have stolen the long jacket from a closet somewhere in her home years ago, but she can’t quite remember. Over her shoulder, she slings a big bag stuffed with her essentials, a tape recorder, notebook, camera, cash, keys, and cigarettes to name a few.     Judith might try to posture herself as an academic, but it is only because she wants something concrete to guide her. Finding answers is her primary cause and keeps her from falling back into the insecurity she had felt once in the woods.