-Schatz: Schatz is a nine year-old boy who conveys the idea of youth and innocence throughout "A Day's Wait" by Ernest Hemingway. While "sick and miserable," Schatz is also fearful of the thought of his untimely death, a prospect which can be linked to the information provided by the other boys at school in France. (Hemingway, 3). After the doctor reveals to Schatz the fault in his presumption, Schatz returns back to his normal life, crying "very easily at little things that were of no importance. (Hemingway, 3). The dynamics of Schatz's character serve to support both his age and the attributes which he exemplifies.
-The Doctor: A static character by nature, the doctor's personality doesn't ever deviate from what the reader sees to be normal. The doctor provides aid and assistance to the boy by offering medical advice and ensuring that Schatz receives his medicines.
-Papa: As the father of Schatz, this character is tasked with spending time with his son, so long as he remains in his sickly condition. In the beginning of the story, Schatz's dad comforts his son by reading "Howard Pyle's Book of Pirates" aloud to the child. (Hemingway, 1). In addition to reading, Papa tries to ease Schatz's mind by answering questions he may have, or by correcting fault in a previous mindset. After being told that "you can't live with forty-four degrees," Schatz's dad reaffirms his son that "It's like miles and kilometres. You aren't going to die. That's a different thermometer." (Hemingway, 3).
-School Boys from France: Although this character group is seldom mentioned in the text, the boys from the school in France serve to create the driving force behind Schatz's poor state of mental health. After telling Schatz that he couldn't live with even forty-four degrees, he is certain that he will die; after all, he had one hundred and two degrees. This group of characters inadvertently creates conflict in the story by introducing facts that inevitably lead to a misunderstanding.
-The Doctor: A static character by nature, the doctor's personality doesn't ever deviate from what the reader sees to be normal. The doctor provides aid and assistance to the boy by offering medical advice and ensuring that Schatz receives his medicines.
-Papa: As the father of Schatz, this character is tasked with spending time with his son, so long as he remains in his sickly condition. In the beginning of the story, Schatz's dad comforts his son by reading "Howard Pyle's Book of Pirates" aloud to the child. (Hemingway, 1). In addition to reading, Papa tries to ease Schatz's mind by answering questions he may have, or by correcting fault in a previous mindset. After being told that "you can't live with forty-four degrees," Schatz's dad reaffirms his son that "It's like miles and kilometres. You aren't going to die. That's a different thermometer." (Hemingway, 3).
-School Boys from France: Although this character group is seldom mentioned in the text, the boys from the school in France serve to create the driving force behind Schatz's poor state of mental health. After telling Schatz that he couldn't live with even forty-four degrees, he is certain that he will die; after all, he had one hundred and two degrees. This group of characters inadvertently creates conflict in the story by introducing facts that inevitably lead to a misunderstanding.