CHARACTER
A person, animal or inanimate object portrayed in a literary work.
Character Types
a. Round – multiple traits
b. Flat- 1 or 2 traits
c. Dynamic –change w/i story
d. Static – do not change
Protagonist- main character
Antagonist-character who opposes the protagonist
CHARACTERIZATION
The method an author uses to reveal characters and
their various traits and personalities.
As “good” readers, we need to try to understand
everything we read. That means we should also
understand the author’s purpose in writing the work.
It’s easier to understand a story if you “know” the
characters.
CHARACTERIZATION CAN BE
MANIFESTED IN FOUR WAYS:
Thought
Action
Dialogue
Narration
Indirect Characterization
Direct Characterization
INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION
THROUGH THOUGHT
The youth was in a little trance of astonishment. So
they were at last going to fight. On the morrow,
perhaps, there would be a battle, and he would be in
it. For a time he was obliged to labor to make himself
believe. He could not accept with assurance an omen
that he was about to mingle in one of those great
affairs of the earth.
What is Henry thinking about? What personality traits are
revealed to the reader in what Henry in thinking ?
Stephen Crane The Red Badge of Courage
INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION
THROUGH ACTION
“I was about to speak when she sat up alertly and said
Sh!” in a warning voice. A subdued impassioned
murmur was audible in the room beyond, and Miss
Baker leaned forward unashamed, trying to hear.”
What do Miss Baker’s actions tell us about her? What
trait regarding her personality is revealed?
F. Scott Fitzgerald The Great Gatsby
INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION
THROUGH DIALOGUE
“…the butler left the porch and Daisy seized upon the momentary
interruption and leaned toward me.
“I’ll tell you a family secret,” she whispered enthusiastically. “It’s
about the butler’s nose. Do you want to hear about the butler’s
nose?’”
What can we say about Daisy’s personality based on what she says?
What trait is revealed?
F. Scott Fitzgerald The Great Gatsby
DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION THROUGH NARRATION
In Maycomb County, it was easy to tell when
someone bathed regularly, as opposed to yearly
lavations: Mr. Ewell had a scalded look; as if an
overnight soaking had deprived him of protective
layers of dirt, his skin appeared to be sensitive to
the elements. Mayella looked as if she tried to keep
clean, and I was reminded of the row of red
geraniums in the Ewell yard.
What information about Mr. Elwell is the reader
given? Of Mayella?
WHY DOES THIS MATTER TO US?
As “good” readers, we need to try to
understand everything we read.
That means we should also understand the
author’s purpose in writing the work.
It’s easier to understand a story if you “know”
the characters.
Dialogue
How can I
get
everyone
to like me?
Liz Lemon
Thought
New York third-wave
feminist, college
educated, single and
pretending to be happy
about it, overscheduled…
Exactly
what it says
Action
Physically fit,
food issues
Low SelfEsteem, Seeks
Acceptance
and sleepeating
Narration
Paranoid,
Envious
New York third-wave
feminist, college
educated, single and
pretending to be
happy about it, overscheduled
Low SelfEsteem, Seeks
Acceptance
Liz Lemon
Paranoid,
Envious
Indirect
Characterization
Direct
Characterization
Physically fit,
food issues
Character
Protagonist or
Antagonist
Round
or
Flat
Evidence
From Text
(Is proof DIRECT OR INDIRECT
CHARACTERIZATION…if indirect, is
it through THOUGHT, ACTION,
DIALOGUE)
Characteristic
of
Personality
or
Physical
Trait
Dynamic
or
Static
Why?
SYLVIA
MRS. TILLEY
ORNITHOLOGIST
Task:
Complete the table, being sure to address ALL
headings with accurate information.
L.F.2.3.1 Explain, interpret, compare, describe, analyze, and/or
evaluate character in a variety of fiction:
Note: Character may also be called narrator
or speaker.
•• the actions, motives, dialogue, emotions/ feelings,
traits, and relationships between characters within
fictional text
•• the relationship between characters and other
components of a text
•• the development of complex characters and their
roles and functions within a text
Character
Protagonist or
Antagonist
SYLVIA
Protagonist
Round
or
Flat
Round
Evidence
From Text
(Is proof DIRECT OR INDIRECT
CHARACTERIZATION…if indirect,
is it through THOUGHT, ACTION,
DIALOGUE)
She was not often in the woods so late as this, and it
made her feel as if she were a part of the gray
shadows and the moving leaves. INDIRECTTHOUGHT
She did not dare to look boldly at the tall young
man, who carried a gun over his shoulder, but she
came out of her bush and again followed the cow,
while he walked alongside. INDIRECT- ACTION
She had never seen anybody so charming and
delightful; the woman's heart, asleep in the child,
was vaguely thrilled by a dream of love.
“…this lonely country child.” DIRECT
Characteristic
of
Personality
or
Physical
Trait
Dynamic
or
Static
Nature-loving
(characteristic of
personality)
Dynamic
Remembers how
they watched the
sea and the
morning come in
together and
realizes nature’s
safety is more
important than her
own happiness. Her
love for the
Ornithologist is
replaced with her
protective feelings
for the White Heron.
Busy
Old
Static
She does
not grow in
the s.s.
Chivalrous
Static
He does
not change
in the s.s.
Shy
(characteristic of
personality)
Smitten
(characteristic of
personality)
Why?
Lonely (physical
trait)
MRS. TILLEY
Flat
ORNITHOLOGIST
Antagonist
Round
the busy old
grandmother
"I have been hunting for some birds," the stranger
said kindly, "and I have lost my way, and need a
friend very much. Don't be afraid," he added
gallantly.
He was sure from the way the shy little girl looked
once or twice yesterday that she had at least seen the
white heron, and now she must really be made to
tell. INDIRECT- THOUGHT
Domineering
(characteristic of
personality)