18 Sept 2014
If you could live
in the past or the future for just one year (Jan 1 to Jan 1),
which would you choose and why? What would you do?
What might be the worst part of the experience? What would
you miss out on in the year 2015 that would really bother
you? If you could take someone with you, who would it be
and why?
TODAY’S AGENDA:
CHARACTERS IN LITERATURE.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES?
HOW DO YOU DETERMINE A CHARACTER TYPE?
WHAT IS CHARACTERIZATION?
HOW DO YOU ANALYZE A CHARACTER?
CHARACTER
Characterization
Character Types
A character is a
person or creature
that interacts with
others within a
story.
Major Characters
Protagonist—the primary major
character of a story. (Sometimes
called the main character.)
• The action of the story revolves
around the protagonist and the
conflict he or she faces. Usually
the “Good Guy,” but not always.
Antagonist—the character or force
the protagonist struggles against and
must overcome.
The climax (turning
point) in a plot ALWAYS,
ALWAYS includes the
PROTAGONIST & the
ANTAGONIST resolving
the central CONFLICT.
There is usually one protagonist,
though it is possible for there to be
multiple major characters.
Major Characters
Other major characters are
not necessarily unimportant,
they are simply characters of
less importance to the plot
than the protagonist and
antagonist.
All major characters are
necessary for the story to
develop. They add depth and
complexity to the story.
THE MAJOR characters
Other Major Characters
MINOR CHARACTERS
Characters of less importance
who interact with the major
characters.
They MAY add depth and
complication to the story,
however their actions or role
in the plot could often be
accomplished just as easily
with another character.
They are usually flat and
static.
Flat Characters versus Round Characters
Flat characters
• These are characters whose
actions don’t affect the
overall plot.
• They may be mentioned by
name, but their personalities
are not fully developed. The
reader knows very little
about them.
• They are usually minor
characters.
FLAT CHARACTERS
ONE WAY TO REMEMBER THE DEFINITION OF A FLAT
CHARACTER IS TO THINK OF A CARDBOARD CUT-OUT. WE
ONLY SEE ONE “SIDE” OF THEIR PERSONALITY.
Flat Characters versus Round Characters
Round characters
• a character with a complex and realistic
personality; often called "three-dimensional" or
"multifaceted" characters.
• We understand the motivation of these characters
(why they do things) and their personal
perspective.
• Major characters will be round. In well written
stories, even some of the minor characters can be
round.
Dynamic Characters versus Static Characters
Static characters
• a character who does not change throughout the
course of the story.
• a character who does not “grow” emotionally.
• a character whose personality remains the same
at the end of the story as it was at the beginning
of the story.
• These are usually flat characters
Crazy from beginning to end…
Not even her hairstyle changes
[End of Section]
Dynamic Characters vs. Static Characters
Dynamic characters
• a character whose personality changes during
the course of the story.
• a character who grows, emotionally, or learns
from the actions or events in the story.
• These are major characters will usually be
dynamic characters
• Dynamic characters will be round..
Character traits elements of a
character's
personality that
define who the
Shrekcharacter
is grouchy andis
irritable,
but kind-hearted; these are his
character traits.
Characterization –
The method by which the
writer reveals characters’
traits.
Characterization….
Writers create characters by revealing information
about …………
Speech – What
the character
says
Appearance –
looks, sounds,
smells
others’ reactions
to the character
Inward
thoughts of the
character.
Actions – What the
character does.
Characterization
Quick Check
“Keep still, you little devil, or I’ll cut
your throat!”
A fearful man, all in coarse grey, with
a great iron on his leg. A man with no
hat, and with broken shoes, and with an
old rag tied round his head. A man who
had been soaked in water, and
smothered in mud, and lamed by stones,
and cut by flints . . . ; who limped, and
shivered, and glared and growled; and
whose teeth chattered in his head as he
seized me by the chin.
from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Which of method
of characterization
did the author
use?
[End of Section]
Character Development
Quick Check
“Keep still, you little devil, or I’ll cut
your throat!”
A fearful man, all in coarse grey, with
a great iron on his leg. A man with no
hat, and with broken shoes, and with an
old rag tied round his head. A man who
had been soaked in water, and
smothered in mud, and lamed by stones,
and cut by flints . . . ; who limped, and
shivered, and glared and growled; and
whose teeth chattered in his head as he
seized me by the chin.
from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Which methods
of character
development are
being used?
Speech
Description
Actions
Direct Characterization –
when an author clearly states the
character’s personality, leaving no
room for mistakes. “Dena was a kind,
caring individual.”
The author tells us
specifically what the
character is like.
Indirect characterization –
When an author reveals a
character’s personality through his
or her actions or dialogue; “Dena
felt so sad when she saw the hurt
little chipmunk that she began to
cry. She immediately approached
it to try and help it get
better.” The author shows us
what the character is like.
Direct and Indirect Characterization
Quick Check
My sister, Mrs. Joe, with black hair and
eyes, had such a prevailing redness of
skin that I sometimes used to wonder
whether it was possible she washed
herself with a nutmeg-grater instead of
soap. She was tall and bony, and almost
always wore a coarse apron, fastened
over her figure behind with two loops,
and having a square impregnable bib in
front, that was stuck full of pins and
needles.
Is this an example
of direct or
indirect
characterization?
What kind of
person do you
think this
character is?
from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
[End of Section]
Direct and Indirect Characterization
Quick Check
My sister, Mrs. Joe, with black hair and
eyes, had such a prevailing redness of
skin that I sometimes used to wonder
whether it was possible she washed
herself with a nutmeg-grater instead of
soap. She was tall and bony, and almost
always wore a coarse apron, fastened
over her figure behind with two loops,
and having a square impregnable bib in
front, that was stuck full of pins and
needles.
from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Is this an example
of direct or
indirect
characterization?
Indirect. The
writer is
describing the
character’s
appearance.
Direct and Indirect Characterization
Quick Check
My sister, Mrs. Joe, with black hair and
eyes, had such a prevailing redness of
skin that I sometimes used to wonder
whether it was possible she washed
herself with a nutmeg-grater instead of
soap. She was tall and bony, and almost
always wore a coarse apron, fastened
over her figure behind with two loops,
and having a square impregnable bib in
front, that was stuck full of pins and
needles.
from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
What kind of
person do you
think this
character is?
I think she’s
strict and
unfriendly.
Characters Traits ….adjectives
absent-minded
adventurous
argumentative
arrogant
brilliant
competitive
courageous
cruel
determined
eloquent
enthusiastic
Excellent
fearful
fearless
foolish
fragile
generous
glum
harsh
haughty
honest
impulsive
industrious
insightful
Intelligent
jealous
joyous
kind
loyal
melancholy
mischievous
mysterious
patient
powerful
rude
self-important
silly
strong
stubborn
thoughtful
tough
weak
ANALYZING A CHARACTER –
CREATING A MAP
What does the character say? Include 3
to 5 direct quotes from the reading.
What do others say about the character or
how do they treat them? Include 3 direct
quotes.
Adjectives:
What does the character do? Describe
specific actions.
Describe the character’s
appearance.
Take out a sheet of paper for notes.
Write the date and the title “Characterization in ‘A Letter From the
Fringe’ by Joan Bauer” at the top.
Create 4 columns on the top half of the paper. Label them as shown.
Character says
P1-C3
Character does
Said about
character
Character’s
appearance
P1=page 1
C3=column 3
As you read through the short story notice when the author uses
the four different characterization methods.
Don’t take time to quote or paraphrase yet, just record on which
page and in which column you found an example. For example…