1. Unit 2 Character & Point of View
English I
RL3: Analyze how complex characters develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme

2. Point of View
The perspective from which a story is told first person third person

3. First person POV Narrator—main or minor character
Refers to self as I or me
Presents own thought & feelings
No access to thoughts & feelings of other characters
IMPACT
Reader’s understanding is limited to what the narrator reveals
May not trust narrator’s interpretation
Story seems real

4. Third person POV Narrator—not a character (may merely be a voice)
Omniscient—knows thoughts & feelings of all characters
Limited—focuses on thoughts & feelings of one character
IMPACT
Learn more about characters & events
Less personal

5. Responses
1. There is conflicting information regarding the POV of “The Necklace.” In which POV do you think the story is written? Why? Support your response.
2. Synthesizing: Search online and learn more about Maya Angelou & I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.
Why is the excerpt we read significant to her life (think of causes & effects)?
How does using 1st person POV in Caged Bird affect this story?

6. Characterization
The process in which the personality of a character is revealed (p. 204) direct indirect

7. Direct characterization
Tells the audience what the personality of the character is
Leaves less to the imagination of the reader
Example
Jane Pittman
“The other reason I never looked at a man, I was barren.”
What might this tell us about Jane’s personality?

8. Indirect characterization
Shows things that reveal the personality of a character
Speech
What does the character say? How does the character speak?
Thoughts
What is revealed through the character’s private thoughts and feelings?
Effect on others
What is revealed through the character’s effect on other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character?
Actions
What does the character do? How does the character behave?
Looks
What does the character look like? How does the character dress?

9. Indirect characterization
Example
Jane Pittman
“My master…gived my mistress the whip and told her to teach me a lesson. Every time she hit me she asked me what I said my name was. I said Jane Brown. She hit me again: what I said my name was. I said Jane Brown.”
What does this show us about Jane’s personality?

10. Direct or indirect?
Julie held up six different outfits in front of the mirror and pondered which would go best with her navy blue shoes, pastel eye shadow and the diamond earrings she’d already procured from her overflowing vanity. After ninety minutes of mixing and matching, and cell-phoning her sister three times for advice, Julie finally made up her mind. She’d give the navy blue skirt and white sweater a try, hoping Trent would love it.
Julie owned a multitude of outfits and accessories, and it always took her forever to decide which combination might impress Trent. As usual, she called her sister several times for advice. After doing so, Julie decided to give the navy blue skirt with the white sweater a try.

11. “A Sound of Thunder” Characterize Eckels using this chart (p. 38):
What is your impression of Eckels based on the
author’s characterization of him?
From the text
Direct or indirect
(method of indirect)
Inferred quality
(indirect)
“Eckels breathed, the light of the Machine on his thin face.”
direct

12. Assessment Go to my website English I Advanced Honors page
Find link under today’s assignment
Take quiz & submit

13. Characterization quiz
1. The process in which the personality of a character is revealed is called _____. 
2. SHOWS things that reveal the personality of a character. 
 direct
 indirect
 3. TELLS the audience what the personality of the character is. 
4. What is the acronym to help remember the different types of indirect characterization?
5. What type of characterization is this an example of? "After losing the big game, the pitcher walked out of the stadium with his shoulders slumped and his head down.”