CHARACTER TYPES

CHARACTER TYPES - OVERVIEW Characters can be described as either… Protagonist or Antagonist Major or Minor Dynamic or Static Round or Flat

PROTAGONIST VS ANTAGONIST https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISvIKx4BQas&feature=share

PROTAGONIST The central person/character of the story-the “driver.” Also known as the main character, the action in the story revolves around the protagonist When determining the protagonist it is important to ask: “Who is the story mostly about?”

( THE PROTAGONIST THEMSELVES, NATURE, A PERSON, A SOCIETY) ANTAGONIST Whatever the protagonist does that is good, the antagonist will work to undo. Causes the conflict against the protagonist Not always human, but can be a group or force as well. ( THE PROTAGONIST THEMSELVES, NATURE, A PERSON, A SOCIETY) This is the character, event or force that stands in the way of the protagonist’s desire or final goal.

STATIC VS DYNAMIC Static Dynamic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8DpxAcFZ44

STATIC A character who does not internally change and remains the same throughout the story. A static character is one that does not undergo an important change in the course of the story, remaining essentially the same at the end as he or she was at the beginning.

DYNAMIC A character who undergoes major internal change throughout the A dynamic character is one that does undergo an important change in the course of the story. The change is usually a result of a conflict That changes being referred to are not simple changes (like dying their hair or having a birthday), it is a significant inner change within the character.  

FLAT VS ROUND Flat Round https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjVlyIvLg3Q

FLAT Anyone who has a one-sided personality-the reader only sees one major trait or characteristic. A flat character is a one –dimensional character that does not display emotional depth and has a single set of traits.

ROUND Anyone who has a complex (many sides) personality that the reader sees A round character is a well-developed, life like character with realistic emotions, conflicting feelings, and multiple traits. Usually, the protagonist, and often the antagonist, are round characters

MAJOR VS MINOR Major Minor

MAJOR Characters that are vital to the plot and conflict development. These characters are believable, complex, and the focus of the plot. These characters should make the reader want to learn more about them. They are not one-dimensional or predictable.

MINOR Characters that serve as a complement (not always necessary) to the major characters. The plot could continue without them, mostly.

White Board Practice

Protagonist or Antagonist DIRECTIONS After reading about the characters in the various short stories we have read label each character as: Protagonist or Antagonist Major or Minor Dynamic or Static Round or Flat

Label the Type of Character Victor from “Seventh Grade” drives the story and undergoes a major change in perspective after an embarrassing encounter in French class. The reader sees his excited, self-conscious, and eventually confident sides.

Protagonist Major Character Dynamic Character Round Character Turn and Talk: AA/BB Why is Victor a dynamic character? Protagonist Major Character Dynamic Character Round Character SHARE OUT 1A 4A 6 A

Label the Type of Character Mrs. Luella Bates Jones from “Thank You, Ma’am” stops Roger from robbing her and forces him to come home with her to learn valuable life lessons. She is true to her morals and does not change throughout the text.

Antagonist Major Character Static Character Flat Character Turn and Talk: AA/BB Why is she an antagonist? Are antagonists always “bad?” Why is she static/flat? Antagonist Major Character Static Character Flat Character SHARE OUT 2B 5B 3B

Label the Type of Character Stacy from “Ribbons” really drives the memoir-without her, there would be no plot! Through many experiences, she has to internally change her view of Paw-Paw. We see Stacy show her excited, angry, jealous, confused, and accepting sides.

Protagonist Major Character Round Character Dynamic Character Turn and Talk: AA/BB Why is Stacy considered dynamic? Who is her antagonist in this story? Protagonist Major Character Round Character Dynamic Character SHARE OUT 1A 4B 6 A

Label the Type of Character Happy from “Dirk the Protector” was in constant conflict with Gary, the narrator. We only see his intimidating and cruel side throughout the memoir. Unfortunately, he doesn’t stop bullying due to an internal change of heart-he was just scared of Dirk!

Antagonist Major Character Flat Character Static Character Turn and Talk: AA/BB Why is Happy considered the antagonist? Antagonist Major Character Flat Character Static Character SHARE OUT 3B 7A 5A

Label the Type of Character Harry’s friends in “Papa’s Parrot” are only referenced in the exposition (beginning). Truly, they don’t play a large role in the text.

Minor characters Turn and Talk: AA/BB Why are they minor characters? Could the plot have unfolded without them? Think-are they needed for the conflict? Minor characters SHARE OUT 1A 3B 7B