Elements of the Short Story Literature and Composition I

Character

 Character development in life is a continual evolutionary and vital process in which we are all participants--some more actively, directly, and dynamically than others.

Character  As we have our own sense of character development, we have a ready pool of experience with which to explore the character development in the short story.

Character  Wilson Thornley writes in his book, Short Story Writing, “the reader intensely participates through identification and such identification and participation are imperative.”

Character 1) A person in a short story is called a character. 2) The person around whom the conflict revolves is called the main character, also known as the protagonist. 3) The most prominent of the characters who oppose the protagonist is the antagonist. 1) A person in a short story is called a character. 2) The person around whom the conflict revolves is called the main character, also known as the protagonist. 3) The most prominent of the characters who oppose the protagonist is the antagonist.

Character 4) A protagonist can be virtuous or a villain. 5) An antagonist can be virtuous or a villain, depending upon the protagonist, and is typically the opposite. 4) A protagonist can be virtuous or a villain. 5) An antagonist can be virtuous or a villain, depending upon the protagonist, and is typically the opposite.

Character 6) A foil is a character whose qualities or actions serve to emphasize those of the protagonist by providing a strong contrast with them. Ex: Popular fictional character, Sherlock Holmes, is tall and lean; his right-hand man Doctor Watson, meanwhile, is often described as "middle-sized, strongly builtSherlock HolmesDoctor Watson 7) A motive is the reason behind an individual’s actions. 6) A foil is a character whose qualities or actions serve to emphasize those of the protagonist by providing a strong contrast with them. Ex: Popular fictional character, Sherlock Holmes, is tall and lean; his right-hand man Doctor Watson, meanwhile, is often described as "middle-sized, strongly builtSherlock HolmesDoctor Watson 7) A motive is the reason behind an individual’s actions.

Character types 8) A static character is one who does not change much in the course of the story. 9) A dynamic character changes in some important way as a result of the story’s events. 8) A static character is one who does not change much in the course of the story. 9) A dynamic character changes in some important way as a result of the story’s events.

Character types 10) Flat characters have few personality traits. They can be summed up by a single phrase: the loyal sidekick, the buffoon, the nosy neighbor. 11) Round characters have more dimensions to their personalities--they are more complex, just as real people are. 10) Flat characters have few personality traits. They can be summed up by a single phrase: the loyal sidekick, the buffoon, the nosy neighbor. 11) Round characters have more dimensions to their personalities--they are more complex, just as real people are.

Characterization Definition: The process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character. A writer can reveal a character in the following ways: 11) Direct characterization: the author tells us directly what the character is like: sneaky, generous, gluttonous Definition: The process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character. A writer can reveal a character in the following ways: 11) Direct characterization: the author tells us directly what the character is like: sneaky, generous, gluttonous

Characterization 12) Indirect characterization:  Physical description  The character’s thoughts, feelings, and words  The comments and reactions of others towards or about this character  The actions of the character ** THIS IS LARGELY WHERE YOU MUST READ IN-BETWEEN THE LINES TO “ ANALYZE THE CHARACTER” 12) Indirect characterization:  Physical description  The character’s thoughts, feelings, and words  The comments and reactions of others towards or about this character  The actions of the character ** THIS IS LARGELY WHERE YOU MUST READ IN-BETWEEN THE LINES TO “ ANALYZE THE CHARACTER” CharacterizationThe process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character. A writer can reveal a character in the following ways: CharacterizationThe process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character. A writer can reveal a character in the following ways:

Point of View

 The vantage point from which the writer tells a story.  In broad terms, there are four main points of view.  The vantage point from which the writer tells a story.  In broad terms, there are four main points of view.

Point of View  First-person point of view.  One of the characters in the story tells the story.  The narrator uses first person pronouns such as I and we.  Readers can know only what the narrator knows.  First-person point of view.  One of the characters in the story tells the story.  The narrator uses first person pronouns such as I and we.  Readers can know only what the narrator knows.

Point of View  Third-person limited point of view.  An unknown narrator (usually thought of as the author) tells the story.  The narrator zooms in to focus on the thoughts and feelings of only one character.  Third-person limited point of view.  An unknown narrator (usually thought of as the author) tells the story.  The narrator zooms in to focus on the thoughts and feelings of only one character.

Point of View  In the case of third-person limited point of view, the narrator can tell us many things about the character, things that the character himself (or herself) might be unaware of.

Point of View  The omniscient point of view.  An “all-knowing” narrator tells the story.  This narrator often tells us everything about many characters:  Their motives, weaknesses, hopes, childhoods, and sometimes, their futures.  The omniscient point of view.  An “all-knowing” narrator tells the story.  This narrator often tells us everything about many characters:  Their motives, weaknesses, hopes, childhoods, and sometimes, their futures.

Point of View  The objective point of view.  An impersonal and objective narrator.  No opinionated comment on any characters or events.  Like the point of view of a movie camera.  Readers can know only what the camera might see.  The narrator does not reveal the unspoken thoughts of the character.  The objective point of view.  An impersonal and objective narrator.  No opinionated comment on any characters or events.  Like the point of view of a movie camera.  Readers can know only what the camera might see.  The narrator does not reveal the unspoken thoughts of the character.