Hero
S. L. Rottman
Literary Concepts
Characterization
Dynamic vs. Static Characters
Theme
Symbolism
Parallel Analogy / Story / Plot
Characterization
Refers to techniques writers use to develop
characters and their personalities.
– Physical description
– Character’s own speech, thoughts, feelings or
actions
– Speech, thoughts, feelings or actions of other
characters
– Narrator’s comments
Dynamic vs. Static Characters
Dynamic!!!!!
– These characters undergo change throughout
the course of a book; consequently, they reflect
the complexity of a real person.
Static
– These characters simply remain the same
throughout the course of a work.
Theme
The central idea or message in a work of
literature.
– It is more than the subject of a work of literature.
– It IS a perception about life or human nature.
– Should be a complete thought, not simply one
word.
– These are words to live by!
Symbolism
A person, place, or object that represents
something beyond itself.
A star on a door represents fame.
A star on a sheriff’s shirt represents
authority.
An eagle represents freedom.
Parallelism
Just like in math, parallelism in literature is
where two things are occurring at the same
time, at the same pace, in the same
direction.
In Hero, we have parallel stories. One story
is based on a horse. The other is on the
main character Sean.
Characters
Sean—protagonist
Mrs. Walker—Sean’s teacher
Mr. Hassler—the ranch owner
Knicker—the foal