Character and Characterization

Types of Characters Protagonist – The protagonist is a character in a work of fiction whose intentions are the primary focus of a story.

Types of Characters Antagonist – The antagonist is a character (or sometimes an institution) against whom the protagonist(s) must fight.

Types of Characters Flat character – Flat characters are minor characters in a work of fiction who do not tend to undergo substantial emotional change or growth.

Types of Characters Round Character – Round characters are major characters in a work of fiction who encounter conflict and are changed by it. Round characters tend to be more fully developed and described than flat characters.

Types of Characters Stock characters – A stock character is a fictional character that relies heavily on cultural types or stereotypes for its personality, manner of speech, and other characteristics. Stock characters are instantly recognizable to members of a given culture.

Types of Characters Static Character – Static do not undergo substantial emotional change or growth, remaining essentially the same in the end as he or she was at the beginning.

Types of characters Dynamic Character – A dynamic character is one who undergoes an important change in the course of the story. The changes are not changes in circumstance, but changes in some sense within the character – changes in insight or understanding, changes in beliefs or values, etc.

Characterization Characterization is the way in which a writer reveals the personality of a character. There are two types of characterization: Direct Characterization Indirect Characterization

Direct Characterization The author tells the reader what the personality of the character is. “He’s good-looking, he’s strong enough to handle the work in the mines, and he can hunt. You can tell by the way the girls whisper about him when he walks by in school that they want him” (10).

Indirect Characterization The author shows the reader things that reveal the personality of the character. “I reach her just as she is about to mount the steps. With one sweep of my arm, I push her behind me. “I volunteer!” I gasp. “I volunteer as tribute!””(22)

Indirect Characterization - STEAL 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 (others feel about the character 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?