In this text I’m going to explain my point of view regarding the characterization of Banford’s character in the short story by D.H.Lawrence “The Fox”.
First of all, she’s one of the main characters of the story with her companion and friend March. The author makes the two characters connected to each other and characterizes them as one the opposite of the other.
This can already be evinced by their names. In fact the name March recalls the third month of the year who represents birth and fertility, it also recalls the verb “to march”, meaning a strong personality. Banford’s name is totally opposite to it. In fact it recalls the verb “to band” which refers to the relation between her and March, who are always united.
In addition they are physically opposite and have a totally different temper. While March looks more manly and physically strong, Banford looks more feminine and fragile. In addition they act totally different in front of taking decisions. While March is always undecided, Banford always takes a position and does anything to make the friend think like her; which is easy because she never does. An example is their behavior regarding the fox who keeps stealing poultry from the farm. March knows that if she kills it she’ll solve all her problems, but she’s attracted by the fox and isn’t able to do it; while Banford only thinks that she shoul’ve killed the fox.
Besides, while their appearance makes the reader think that March is the strongest, reading the short story makes the reader understand that it is Banford who actually is the strongest.
In fact, they act totally different with Henry. Banford at the beginning sees him as her little brother; she asks him to stay at the farm while March is reluctant because she sees him as the fox. In addition she handles him really nicely and treats him better that she can, while March doesn’t say or do anything.
But when Henry decides to marry March, Banford changes her behavior and tries to do anything to stop the wedding, while March doesn’t even know if she loves or not Henry or if she wants to stay with Banford.
The end of the two friends emphasizes their differences. While March at the end marries Henry, because he “forces” her to marry him and she doesn’t do anything like usual, Banford is killed by Henry. So, they both “die”, but Banford dies physically, while March does it mentally, because , from now on, she’ll depend on Henry.
From these arguments, I can conclude that the author characterized Banford and March to be one the opposite of the other.