Symbolism Characterization Literary Elements Theme Setting

Characters and Characterization

Characters Major Characters Minor character Extras Characters are people or animals who take part in the action of a story. These are three types of characters whom we may meet in any story. Major Characters Minor character Extras

Major Characters Major characters include the protagonist, the antagonist, and other characters who have a large role in the story.

Major Character Protagonist: (the main/central character) The most important character in a story, poem, or play. The action of the story revolves around the protagonist. AKA: leading , central, or main.

Major Character Antagonist: The character or force that opposes the protagonist.

Other Major Characters They can provide the viewpoint of a story. They can also have their own subplot within a story.

Minor Characters Minor characters: are characters who take place in the action but are not the focus of attention; they have a small role.

Extra Characters Extra Characters : novels and movies need extra characters to create a realistic scene. Extra characters become part of the setting; therefore, we don’t mention them when discussing characters in a novel.

Static and Dynamic Characters! Static characters are characters that do not undergo any change from the story’s inception to its conclusion. Dynamic characters are characters that undergo change over the course of a story as a result of their experience. Most protagonists are dynamic.

Characterization Characterization: The ways in which an author reveals the traits of characters to his audience.

Two Types of Characterization Direct Characterization: a method wherein the author tells his readers about the character. Indirect Characterization: a method of characterization that requires the reader to conclude facts about a character’s traits. Indirect characterization include actions and words of a character; a physical description of a character; the thoughts of a character; and the thoughts, actions, and words of other characters.

Direct Characterization Direct Characterization tells the audience what the personality of the character is. Example: “The patient boy and quiet girl were both well mannered and did not disobey their mother.” Explanation: The author is directly telling the audience the personality of these two children. The boy is “patient” and the girl is “quiet.” Parts of Speech Connection! ***The author is using adjectives to describe the character.

Direct Characterization The malevolent queen was a venomous, cold- hearted witch, who consumed by jealousy. Why is this direct characterization?

Direct Characterization You Try It!

Indirect Characterization Indirect Characterization: a method of characterization that requires the reader to infer facts about a character’s traits. Indirect characterization includes : 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 toward 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? Parts of Speech Connection ***The author uses verbs to detail the character.

Indirect Characterization The people in the village feared the malevolent queen because she slaughtered everyone in her path. Due to her overwhelming jealousy and desire for beauty, she sent a huntsman to cut out Snow White’s beating heart. After many failed attempts to kill Snow White, the evil queen disguised herself as a poor old woman, and poisoned Snow White with a red apple. Why is this indirect characterization?

Indirect Characterization You Try It!