Literary Elements Characters -The Actors in a Story

Characters Characters are the story’s actors. When the characters in a story behave in convincing ways, then we believe in them and maybe even love or hate them. Characters are the story’s actors. When the characters in a story behave in convincing ways, then we believe in them and maybe even love or hate them.

Creating Characters: How do they do it? Writers reveal their characters’ traits or special qualities either directly or indirectly. In direct characterization a writer simply tells us directly what the character is like. “Esmerelda was the most serious person in the school. She longed for fun but was afraid of disappointing her very serious aunt.” Writers reveal their characters’ traits or special qualities either directly or indirectly. In direct characterization a writer simply tells us directly what the character is like. “Esmerelda was the most serious person in the school. She longed for fun but was afraid of disappointing her very serious aunt.”

Indirect Characterization Writers reveal characters’ traits in the following five ways: 1. appearance 2. dialogue 3. private thoughts 4. actions 5. effects Writers reveal characters’ traits in the following five ways: 1. appearance 2. dialogue 3. private thoughts 4. actions 5. effects

Appearance A character’s appearance is a natural place for a writer to begin indirect characterization. “Esmerelda, tall and thin, wore her mouse- brown hair pulled tightly back into a ponytail. She always dressed in a gray shirt and blouse and never wore jewelry.” This description says a lot about Esmerelda – we imagine a quiet, serious, perhaps shy person. A character’s appearance is a natural place for a writer to begin indirect characterization. “Esmerelda, tall and thin, wore her mouse- brown hair pulled tightly back into a ponytail. She always dressed in a gray shirt and blouse and never wore jewelry.” This description says a lot about Esmerelda – we imagine a quiet, serious, perhaps shy person.

Dialogue We can learn even more about a character when we hear him/her speak to other characters through dialogue. “Hey, Esmerelda, want to come with us to the movies tonight,” Ginger asked. “Ooh, no,” Esmerelda sighed. “My aunt would never allow it. She says I have to work on my research paper all weekend.” We can learn even more about a character when we hear him/her speak to other characters through dialogue. “Hey, Esmerelda, want to come with us to the movies tonight,” Ginger asked. “Ooh, no,” Esmerelda sighed. “My aunt would never allow it. She says I have to work on my research paper all weekend.”

Private Thoughts The writer can also take us into a character’s mind to reveal his or her private thought. This is especially important when the narrator is the main character. We eavesdrop on the narrator’s thoughts – something we can never do in real life – and discover what the character wants or fears or worries about. “Why can’t I be like other kids?” Esmerelda moped. She pressed her nose against the window. “I’d like to be out there with everybody else – laughing and skating and going to movies and just belonging.” The writer can also take us into a character’s mind to reveal his or her private thought. This is especially important when the narrator is the main character. We eavesdrop on the narrator’s thoughts – something we can never do in real life – and discover what the character wants or fears or worries about. “Why can’t I be like other kids?” Esmerelda moped. She pressed her nose against the window. “I’d like to be out there with everybody else – laughing and skating and going to movies and just belonging.”

Actions In fiction, as in real life, we learn a great deal about people by observing their actions. This afternoon, Leon ran to catch up to Esmerelda as she walked home. “Hey,” he called excitedly and tapped her on the shoulder. She flinched – then looked away blushing. In fiction, as in real life, we learn a great deal about people by observing their actions. This afternoon, Leon ran to catch up to Esmerelda as she walked home. “Hey,” he called excitedly and tapped her on the shoulder. She flinched – then looked away blushing.

Effects In one way or another, most writers will reveal their characters through what they actually do and the effects those actions have on other characters. Leon, puzzled, wondered why Esmerelda was so upset by his friendly gesture. In one way or another, most writers will reveal their characters through what they actually do and the effects those actions have on other characters. Leon, puzzled, wondered why Esmerelda was so upset by his friendly gesture.

Flat, Round, & Stock Characters A flat character, like a paper doll, is two- dimensional, with only one or two key personality traits. A round character has the three-dimensional qualities of real-life people, with may traits and complexities. A stock character is one who fits our preconceived notions about a “type.” Stock characters are so familiar that as soon as we encounter any of their well-known traits, we can imagine the rest of their personalities. A flat character, like a paper doll, is two- dimensional, with only one or two key personality traits. A round character has the three-dimensional qualities of real-life people, with may traits and complexities. A stock character is one who fits our preconceived notions about a “type.” Stock characters are so familiar that as soon as we encounter any of their well-known traits, we can imagine the rest of their personalities.