Character n characterisation

Character in Fict ionCharacter in Fict ion

Definit ionDefinit ion

CharactersCharacters: the : the people in the storypeople in the story

CharacterizationCharacterization: : the process by the process by which the writer which the writer makes the makes the character seem real character seem real to the readerto the reader

Character Types: Character Types: Flat and Round Flat and Round

Flat characterFlat character– Embodies 1 or 2 Embodies 1 or 2

qualities, easily qualities, easily summarized;summarized;

– Not psychologically Not psychologically complex and thus easily complex and thus easily accessible to the accessible to the reader;reader;

– Can be stock or Can be stock or stereotypestereotype

a character who a character who possesses the possesses the expected traits of a expected traits of a group rather than being group rather than being an individualan individual

Character Types:Character Types:Flat and Round Flat and Round Round characters--Round characters--

– Complex and multi-Complex and multi-dimensionaldimensional

– Inconsistent and Inconsistent and unpredictableunpredictable

– Hard to summarize Hard to summarize and understandand understand

– Display internal Display internal conflicts found in conflicts found in real peoplereal people

The Shawshank Redemption, Tim Robbins

and Morgan Freeman

Character PresentationCharacter Presentation

Direct (telling)Direct (telling)– The writer tells what kind of person the The writer tells what kind of person the

character is.character is. Indirect (showing)Indirect (showing)

– The writer presents the character in The writer presents the character in action and allows the reader to infer what action and allows the reader to infer what kind of person the character is.kind of person the character is.

Character Behavior—Do Character Behavior—Do They Change or Not?They Change or Not?

Static characterStatic character– Doesn’t change as Doesn’t change as

a result of what a result of what happens to him in happens to him in the story;the story;

– The reader’s The reader’s knowledge of him knowledge of him does not grow.does not grow.

Character BehaviorCharacter Behavior

Dynamic characterDynamic character– Undergoes some Undergoes some

kind of change as a kind of change as a result of action in result of action in the plot;the plot;

– Must be a Must be a substantive change substantive change rather than a mood rather than a mood change.change.

Change or No Change or No Change. . .Change. . . A character must be A character must be

– MotivatedMotivated Reader is offered reasons for how the Reader is offered reasons for how the

characters behave, what they say, and what characters behave, what they say, and what decisions they make;decisions they make;

– PlausiblePlausible Action by a character that seems reasonable, Action by a character that seems reasonable,

given the motivations presentedgiven the motivations presented

CharacterizationCharacterization

The method used by a writer to The method used by a writer to develop a characterdevelop a character– Show the character’s appearanceShow the character’s appearance– Display the character’s actionsDisplay the character’s actions– Reveal the character’s thoughtsReveal the character’s thoughts– Let the character speakLet the character speak– Get the reactions of othersGet the reactions of others

Character AnalysisCharacter Analysis

Physical. Physical. What does the character What does the character look like? How do the character’s look like? How do the character’s physical attributes play a role in the physical attributes play a role in the story? How does the character feel story? How does the character feel about his or her physical attributes? about his or her physical attributes? How does the character change How does the character change physically during the story? How do physically during the story? How do these changes affect the character’s these changes affect the character’s experience? experience?


Intellectual.Intellectual. How would you How would you describe this character’s intelligence? describe this character’s intelligence? What does this character know? How What does this character know? How does this character’s intellect compare does this character’s intellect compare to others in the story? Is this character to others in the story? Is this character smart enough to thrive in the world in smart enough to thrive in the world in which he or she lives? What does this which he or she lives? What does this character learn as the story develops? character learn as the story develops?


Emotional.Emotional. How does this character How does this character feel most of the time? How do his or feel most of the time? How do his or her feelings change throughout the her feelings change throughout the story? How does this character feel story? How does this character feel about himself or herself? When faced about himself or herself? When faced with challenges in the story, what with challenges in the story, what emotions come up for this character? emotions come up for this character?


Social. Social. How does this character get How does this character get along with other characters in the along with other characters in the story? Who does this character story? Who does this character choose for friends and why does this choose for friends and why does this character choose them? Where does character choose them? Where does this character stand in the social this character stand in the social order? How does this character’s order? How does this character’s social standing affect events in the social standing affect events in the story? story?


Philosophical.Philosophical. What does this What does this character believe about the way life character believe about the way life is? What are these beliefs based on? is? What are these beliefs based on? How do these beliefs affect the How do these beliefs affect the choices this character makes? How do choices this character makes? How do those beliefs change throughout the those beliefs change throughout the story? Do others in the story share story? Do others in the story share these beliefs? these beliefs?

Education

Character n characterisation