Characterization: the way a writer reveals the personality of a character 2 Types of Characterization: 2 Types of Characterization: Direct Direct Indirect Indirect Types of Characters: Types of Characters: Flat vs. Round Static vs. Dynamic

Direct Characterization: When the narrator or another character tells us what a person is like. Direct Characterization: When the narrator or another character tells us what a person is like. Ex: Jason was a tall, broad-shouldered football player who always had a smile on his face. Ex: Jason was a tall, broad-shouldered football player who always had a smile on his face.

Indirect Characterization: Requires the reader to look for clues that reveal a character’s traits and motivation. Indirect Characterization: Requires the reader to look for clues that reveal a character’s traits and motivation. Ex: Jody ran up the stairs to her room, tears streaming down her face, and slammed her door loudly, hoping her mother would hear. Ex: Jody ran up the stairs to her room, tears streaming down her face, and slammed her door loudly, hoping her mother would hear.

When looking for Indirect Characterization… Think about all the following: What does the character do? (actions) What does the character do? (actions) What does the character think? What does the character think? What does the character say? (dialogue) What does the character say? (dialogue) How do other characters react How do other characters react

Your Turn… Look for examples of both direct and indirect characterization from the following passage in “Thank You, M’am,” a short story by Langston Hughes: She was a large woman with a large purse that had everything in it but a hammer and nails. It had a long strap, and she carried it slung across her shoulder. It was about eleven o’clock at night, and she was walking alone when a boy ran up behind her and tried to snatch her purse. The strap broke with the single tug the boy gave it from behind. But the boy’s weight and the weight of the purse combined caused him to lose his balance so, instead of taking off full blast as he had hoped, the boy fell on his back on the sidewalk, and his legs flew up. The large woman simply turned around and kicked him right square in his blue-jeaned sitter. Then she reached down, picked the boy up by his shirt front, and shook him until his teeth rattled. She was a large woman with a large purse that had everything in it but a hammer and nails. It had a long strap, and she carried it slung across her shoulder. It was about eleven o’clock at night, and she was walking alone when a boy ran up behind her and tried to snatch her purse. The strap broke with the single tug the boy gave it from behind. But the boy’s weight and the weight of the purse combined caused him to lose his balance so, instead of taking off full blast as he had hoped, the boy fell on his back on the sidewalk, and his legs flew up. The large woman simply turned around and kicked him right square in his blue-jeaned sitter. Then she reached down, picked the boy up by his shirt front, and shook him until his teeth rattled.

Flat Characters are less-developed with just a few traits; he/she is usually one-sided or stereotypical. Flat Characters are less-developed with just a few traits; he/she is usually one-sided or stereotypical. Ex: Think of dumb blonde characters in many teen movies—they are usually selfish, bossy, and mean. We never see them being nice or having problems of their own. They are one-sided and less developed. Ex: Think of dumb blonde characters in many teen movies—they are usually selfish, bossy, and mean. We never see them being nice or having problems of their own. They are one-sided and less developed.

Round Characters are well-developed with a variety of traits, both good and bad. Round Characters are well-developed with a variety of traits, both good and bad. Ex: Ariel, in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, has positive traits, like being loving and courageous, but she also has less flattering traits like being forgetful and disobedient. She is a well- developed character with many sides. Ex: Ariel, in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, has positive traits, like being loving and courageous, but she also has less flattering traits like being forgetful and disobedient. She is a well- developed character with many sides.

Dynamic Character—a character that develops and changes over the course of a story due to a conflict or newfound understanding. Dynamic Character—a character that develops and changes over the course of a story due to a conflict or newfound understanding. Ex: Ebenezer Scrooge is selfish and mean in the beginning of A Christmas Carol, but later becomes generous and selfless when he realizes his sins. He changes because of what happens to him in the story.

Static Character—a character who remains the same over the course of the entire story. Ex: Cinderella’s stepmother is mean in the beginning of the fairytale and mean at the end. She never changes.

Round=Many Characteristics (well-rounded; three-dimensional like a round sphere) Flat=Few Characteristics (simple; one- dimensional like a flat sheet of paper) Static=Same Dynamic=Different