Character TypesCharacter TypesCODE: jjpCODE: jjp

Protagonist/AntagonistProtagonist/Antagonist• It is easiest to think of the protagonist and It is easiest to think of the protagonist and

antagonist characters as the "good guy" antagonist characters as the "good guy" and the "bad guy" respectively. and the "bad guy" respectively.

• In order to understand protagonist and In order to understand protagonist and antagonist, you can think of the antagonist, you can think of the protagonist as the hero and the antagonist protagonist as the hero and the antagonist as the villain. as the villain. – To remember which is which, rememberTo remember which is which, remember• the prefix pro means good, or positive.the prefix pro means good, or positive.• the prefix ant means bad, or negative. the prefix ant means bad, or negative.

ProtagonistProtagonist

• The The protagonistprotagonist is the central character of a story. is the central character of a story.• The plot of the story is often written in the The plot of the story is often written in the

protagonist's point of view. protagonist's point of view. • example: example: The Three Little PigsThe Three Little Pigs. . – In the original story, the three pigs are the In the original story, the three pigs are the

protagonists and the wolf is the antagonist. protagonists and the wolf is the antagonist. – A new book titled A new book titled The Real Story of The Three The Real Story of The Three

Little PigsLittle Pigs is written in the wolf's point of view and is written in the wolf's point of view and he becomes the protagonist and the pigs are the he becomes the protagonist and the pigs are the antagonists. antagonists.

AntagonistAntagonist• character that causes or leads the conflict against character that causes or leads the conflict against

the protagonist is called the the protagonist is called the antagonistantagonist. . • The antagonist is not always human, but can be a The antagonist is not always human, but can be a

group or force as well. group or force as well. • The antagonist is the mirror of the protagonist. The antagonist is the mirror of the protagonist.

Whatever the protagonist does that is good, the Whatever the protagonist does that is good, the antagonist will work to counteract. antagonist will work to counteract.

• Usually the antagonist attempts to disguise him/Usually the antagonist attempts to disguise him/her/itself. her/itself.

Static/DynamicStatic/Dynamic• The key word when dealing with the difference between The key word when dealing with the difference between

static and dynamic characters is "change." static and dynamic characters is "change." • The type of change, though, is specific. We are The type of change, though, is specific. We are ONLYONLY

concerned with internal changes; changes which occur concerned with internal changes; changes which occur within the character. within the character.

• These would include a These would include a – major change in their personality, major change in their personality, – or a change in their outlook on life. or a change in their outlook on life.

• Another important change that a character may undergo is Another important change that a character may undergo is a change in a change in valuesvalues, or it could be an overall change in the , or it could be an overall change in the nature of the character. Do not focus on changes that nature of the character. Do not focus on changes that happen happen TOTO a character, but rather, changes that happen a character, but rather, changes that happen WITHIN WITHIN a character. Think about it this way: Does the event a character. Think about it this way: Does the event affect the character by changing the character internally? affect the character by changing the character internally?

StaticStatic In order for a character to be considered a In order for a character to be considered a staticstatic

character….character….• the character must remain basically the same the character must remain basically the same

throughout the entire story. throughout the entire story. • The character does not undergo any internal The character does not undergo any internal

changes. changes. * * exampleexample: think of static characterization like : think of static characterization like

plastic surgery. The character may change in plastic surgery. The character may change in looks, but unless their personality is affected, the looks, but unless their personality is affected, the character is static. character is static.

DynamicDynamic A A dynamicdynamic character is a character… character is a character… • that undergoes an internal change sometime that undergoes an internal change sometime

between the beginning and end of the story. between the beginning and end of the story. • the change in the character is usually crucial the change in the character is usually crucial

to the story itself. to the story itself. • exampleexample: A race car driver gets into an : A race car driver gets into an

accident. If the driver's personality changes accident. If the driver's personality changes and he is no longer willing to take on the risk and he is no longer willing to take on the risk of driving a race car, the character would be of driving a race car, the character would be dynamic. dynamic.

Static/DynamicStatic/Dynamic• In order to distinguish static characters In order to distinguish static characters

from dynamic characters, write down a from dynamic characters, write down a description of the inner characters at the description of the inner characters at the beginning of the story. In other words, beginning of the story. In other words, what do you initially learn about the what do you initially learn about the character's personality? character's personality?

To help you, answer these three To help you, answer these three questions: questions: – How does the character feel about How does the character feel about

his/her/itself? his/her/itself? – How does the character act towards others?How does the character act towards others?– What is the characters goal? What is the characters goal?

Static/Dynamic (cont.)Static/Dynamic (cont.)• Do the same thing and answer the same questions at the end Do the same thing and answer the same questions at the end

of the text. of the text.

• Usually, if you're dealing with a Usually, if you're dealing with a dynamicdynamic character, you will character, you will be able to notice a difference between your personality be able to notice a difference between your personality descriptions as well as between the answers to the three descriptions as well as between the answers to the three questions. If there is no major difference, the character is questions. If there is no major difference, the character is static. static.