Character Interactions
Feature Menu
The Protagonist
The Antagonist
Conflict
Subordinate Characters
Dynamic Characters
Static Characters
Motivation
Practice
The Protagonist
The protagonist is the main character and the
focus of readers’ attention. A good protagonist
• is complicated and
contradictory, like a real
person
• has both strengths and
weaknesses
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The Antagonist
The antagonist is the force that blocks the
protagonist from getting what he or she wants.
The antagonist may be
• another character
• a nonhuman force
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Conflict
Conflict is a struggle that occurs when the
protagonist must find a way to overcome or get
around the antagonist.
Conflicts drive plots, create suspense, and intrigue
readers.
Conflict
External conflict occurs between a character and
some outside force, such as
• another character or group
of characters
• the society the protagonist
must live in
• a force or feature of
nature
Conflict
Internal conflict occurs when a character
struggles with opposing needs, desires, or
emotions. The character may
• have to make a difficult
decision
• wrestle with fear or worry
Conflict
Quick Check
And after seeing my mother’s
disappointed face again, something
inside me began to die. I hated the
tests, the raised hopes and failed
expectations. Before going to bed
that night, I looked in the mirror
above the bathroom sink and when I
saw only my face staring back—and
that it would always be this ordinary
face—I began to cry. Such a sad,
ugly girl! I made high-pitched noises
like a crazed animal, trying to scratch
out the face in the mirror.
from “Two Kinds” by Amy Tan
What kind of
conflict does Jingmei face?
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Subordinate Characters
Subordinate characters populate the
protagonist’s world. Their relationship with the
protagonist helps
• reveal the protagonist’s
character
• develop the plot and add
complexity to the story
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Dynamic Characters
Dynamic characters change or grow as a result
of the story’s action. They
• are main characters
• gain a new understanding, make an important
decision, or take a crucial action
• help reveal the meaning of the story
Believable changes
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Static Characters
Static characters are usually exactly the same as
the story ends as they were when it began. They
• are almost always subordinate characters
• support the plot without distracting readers
from the main action—the protagonist’s conflict
and growth
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Motivation
Writers make characters believable by revealing
what motivates them to act as they do. A
character’s motivation
• is based on his or her needs or conflicts
• reveals why characters act, feel, and think as
they do
• must usually be inferred from clues in the story
Motivation
Quick Check
I looked at my reflection, blinking so
I could see more clearly. The girl
staring back at me was angry,
powerful. This girl and I were the
same. I had new thoughts, willful
thoughts, or rather thoughts filled
with lots of wont’s. I won’t let her
change me, I promised myself. I
won’t be what I’m not.
What motivates
Jing-mei?
from “Two Kinds” by Amy Tan
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Practice
Data Bank
Work with a partner to
analyze a short story
you have recently
read. Use a data bank
like the one shown
here.
Main character:
What main character wants:
(motivation)
Relationship with subordinate
character(s)
Conflict:
Resolution:
How main character changes:
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The End