1. Character and Point of View

2. What is character?
A character is a person in a work of fiction.

3. There are two main types of characters:
Protagonist - the major character of a story.
All of the major events of the story center around this character.
Protagonist does not equal good guy! There are many stories about people with questionable values, motives, or histories.
Ex. Harry Potter
Now come up with your own example of a protagonist.

4. There are two main types of characters:
Antagonist – the person or force that the protagonist struggles against.
What the antagonist is depends on what the conflict is.
If the conflict is man vs. man, the antagonist is a person.
If the conflict is man vs. nature, then the antagonist could be a storm, an animal, or a deserted island.
Ex. Lord Voldemort
Now come up with your own example of an antagonist.

5. Characters can also be describe as . . .
Static - a character that never learns or changes.
The events of the story do not make the character a better or a worse person.
Minor characters and villains are often static.
Ex. Crabe, Goyle, and Malfoy are all static characters because they do not learn from their mistakes or change their views.
Come up with your own example of a static character.

6. Characters can also be describe as . . .
Dynamic – a character that changes, learns, or grows throughout the story.
Whether for better or for worse, the events of the story have changed the character and made them into a different person.
Protagonists and other main characters are usually dynamic.
Ex. Ron Wesley is a round character because he learns from his mistakes and becomes a better person throughout the Harry Potter series.
Come up with your own example of a dynamic character.

7. Characters can also be describe as . . .
Flat – a character that only has one or two characteristics.
These characters are not well developed. We as readers only get to see one side of a flat character’s background or personality, and we do not get into their heads.
In other words, these characters are stereotypes. e.g. brilliant detective, drunk, scrooge, cruel stepmother, etc.
Minor characters and villains are often flat.
Ex. Professor McGonagel is an example of a flat character because you do not know a lot about her backround.
Come up with your own example of a flat character.

8. Characters can also be describe as . . .
Round – a character that is complex, multidimensional, and well developed.
We get to know these characters very well. We as readers get insight into their past, their thoughts, and their motivations.
Protagonists and other main characters are usually round.
Ex. Hermione Granger is a round character because we know a lot about her background, what scares her, what motivates her, etc.
Come up with your own example of a round character.

9. Point of View
Point of View is the perspective that a story is told from.
Point of View is used to show the feelings and motives of characters.

10. Types of Point of View Objective Point of View Example:
Objective Point of View: when the narrator tells a story without stating what the characters are thinking or feeling.
The narrator is a detached observer.
There are no interpretation of events or insight in to character thoughts/feelings.
Author’s use this POV when they want to discuss a serious subject without being preachy. This POV requires the reader to interpret meaning through description of actions and dialogue.
Objective Point of View Example:
Hansel walked ahead of Gretel. Gretel dropped breadcrumbs behind her as she went. Ahead of them, an old witch waited. “Who is that?” Gretel asked Hansel.

11. Types of Point of View 1st Person Point of View Example:
Hansel walked ahead of me. I made sure I dropped breadcrumbs behind me as I went, since my bumbling brother couldn’t be counted on to find his way home from the outhouse, let alone from the middle of the woods.
First Person Point of View: when the story is told by a character IN the story.
All events in this POV are interpreted through the perspective of a character. Therefore, the narrator may not be very reliable.
Ex. To Kill a Mocking Bird, “The Tell-Tale Heart”

12. Types of Point of View 3rd Person Omniscient Point of View Example:
Third Person Omniscient Point of View: when the narrator knows everything about several characters.
With this POV, the reader knows about the thoughts and feelings of many characters in the story.
Narrator is not a participant in the story.
Ex. Little Women. This story gets in to the thoughts and feelings of almost every character in the book without having any one character tell you their story directly.
3rd Person Omniscient Point of View Example:
Hansel walked ahead of Gretel; after all, he knew he belonged in the front because Gretel was just a girl. Gretel dropped breadcrumbs behind her as she went, knowing that her bumbling brother couldn’t be counted on to find his way home from the outhouse, let alone from the middle of the woods.
Ahead of them, an old witch waited, her stomach rumbling at the thought of what a delicious dinner the two plump children would make.

13. Types of Point of View
Third Person Limited Point of View: when the narrator’s knowledge is limited to one character, either major or minor.
With this POV, the reader knows about the thoughts and feelings of ONE character and one character only.
Again, the narrator is not a participant in the story with this POV.
Ex. Harry Potter. This series only follows the thoughts and perspective of Harry, but it is not told directly by him.
3rd Person Omniscient Point of View Example:
Hansel walked ahead of Gretel.  Gretel dropped breadcrumbs behind her as she went, knowing that her bumbling brother couldn’t be counted on to find his way home from the outhouse, let alone from the middle of the woods.”