1. Relationships and Conflicts Character Interactions

2. Protagonist The main character who is the focus of our story. Example: Who is the protagonist in the story of Little Red Riding Hood? Little Red Riding Hood

3. Antagonist The character or force that blocks the protagonist from achieving his or her goal. Example Who is the antagonist in the story of Little Red Riding Hood? The Wolf

4. Subordinate Characters Not as important as the protagonist and antagonist, but they serve a purpose in the story. Their interactions with the protagonist help develop the character and the story’s conflict. In the story of Little Red Riding Hood the grandmother is the subordinate character.

5. Types of Conflict The conflict between the protagonist and the antagonist is what hooks our interest, creates suspense, and drives the plot of most stories. External Conflict – conflict between the protagonist and an outside force. Internal Conflict – the protagonist wrestles with his or her own fear or worry or the need to make a decision.

6. Dynamic Character The protagonist in the story is usually a dynamic character. This is a character who changes in an important way throughout the story. By the end of the story this character has gained a new understanding, made and important decision, or taken a crucial action. These characters are capable of growing, learning, and changing.

7. Static Characters Subordinate characters are almost always static characters. They are exactly the same at the end of the story as they were at the beginning of the story.

8. Round Characters Characteristics: Are complex; exhibit a variety of traits Show a range of emotions Display strengths and weaknesses Often change over the story Role in the story: To serve as main characters who make a story rich and interesting. To help define the theme

9. Flat Characters Characteristics: Are defined by only one or two traits Show only a few emotions May be stereotypes or stock characters Don’t grow or change Role in the story To serve as minor characters who advance the plot or provide information To reveal something about the main characters.

10. Character Motivation What is a character’s motivation – the reason behind his or her actions? Sometimes a character’s motivation is stated directly. Ex: He robbed the bank to pay his bills. More often though, you need to look for clues and details to try to figure our the motivation. To do this you must pay attention to: The narrator’s direct comments about a character’s motivation The character’s action, thoughts and values Your own insight into human behavior.

11. Strategies for analyzing character change First examine the change:Then analyze the meaning: Compare how a character was at the beginning of the story with how he or she is at the end of the story. What lesson does the character learn, or What insight does he or she gain? Is the change external, such as in appearance or circumstance? Is it an internal change or attitude or belief? Does the change show personal growth, or does it lead to be the character’s downfall? What factors, events, or characters contributed to or caused the change? Would the character be motivated to change without the contributing factors?