1. Literary Elements in “Charles”
BY Shirley Jackson

2. Short Story Elements Characters Setting Point of View Plot Conflict
Theme
Mood

3. Characterization
Characterization is the creation and development of people in a story.
It is a process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character.
Characterization is revealed through direct characterization and indirect characterization.
As we continue to read “Charles”, we learn more about the characters.

4. Direct vs. Indirect Characterization
Direct Characterization tells the audience what the personality of the character is.
Example: “The patient boy and quiet girl 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.”
Indirect Characterization shows things that reveal the personality of a character. Remember STEAL
Speech- What does the character say?
Thoughts- What is revealed through the character’s private thoughts and feelings?
Effect- How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character?
Actions- How does the character behave?
Looks What does the character look like? How does the character dress?

5. Characters…
A character is a person (or animal) in a literary work that takes part in the action
Protagonist: The leading character or one of the major characters in a drama, movie, novel, or other fictional text
Antagonist: a person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something; an adversary

6. Static Characters Dynamic Characters
Characters that do not change throughout the course of the narrative
A static character does not go through a transformation or learn an important life lesson
characters that change throughout the course of the narrative
a dynamic character experiences a transformation and/or learns a valuable life lesson.

7. Flat Characters Round Characters
characters that are two-dimensional and are relatively uncomplicated
usually a side-kick
oftentimes included in fiction as comedic relief
characters that display multiple character traits
a complex character
a character the audience know a lot about
a relatable character

8. Setting
In works of narrative, the literary element setting includes the historical moment in time and location in which a story takes place
Helps initiate the main backdrop and mood for a story.
What is the setting in “Charles”?

9. Point of View
the point of view is the narrator's position in relation to the story being told
1st person: The narrator is in the story
EX: I woke up that morning and wanted to buy some ice cream.
3rd person: The narrator is an outsider telling the story
EX: He woke up that morning and wanted to buy some ice cream.
From what point of view is “Charles” being told? How can we tell?

10. Making Inferences
A logical assumption about information based on ideas that the writer suggests
but does not state directly.
“Reading between the lines”
Connect to your own experiences
and ideas.