Character
Many writers will tell you that a story depends on its characters, rather than the actual plot.
Some even say that if you create interesting characters and give them a scenario, they will take
over and “write” the story. At the very least, characters must be believable for a story to ring
true, and writers bring them to life in specific ways. First, it is important to understand basic
terminology involving character.
The main person in a story is called the protagonist; if the protagonist is in conflict with another
character or force, the opposing character or force is called the antagonist. A foil is a character
who serves, by contrast, to highlight the characteristics of another character.
Ex. Antagonists are usually people, but could be something like the whale in Moby
Dick, the weather in The Perfect Storm, society as a whole, or even conflicting desires
within the protagonist.
Ex. A wicked character in a literary work can serve as a foil to one who is at least
reasonably upstanding. A very meek character may be the foil of an independent
character.
Major characters are important to a story, while minor characters play less important roles.
Characters can be described as round or flat—round if they are fully developed, flat if readers
see only one side of them (one or two character traits).
Ex. A “loyal wife” who is only heard or seen being loyal to her husband would be
considered flat even if she is in a number of scenes. Although in reality a wife would
have numerous other traits, the author only needs to show this wife being loyal for
purposes of the story.
Recognizable character “types” may be called stock characters or stereotypes (often unfairly
negative).
Ex. The strong-but-silent cowboy, the mad scientist, the battle-scarred veteran, and the
dumb jock are all examples of stock or stereotypical characters.
Characters can also be described as dynamic or static—dynamic if they change during the course
of the story, static if they do not.
It is important to realize that these terms are used in order to discuss literature. They are not
mutually exclusive, meaning that a protagonist may be both round and dynamic (or even static
occasionally). A foil may be classified as both a flat and stock character. Of course, a character
cannot logically be two opposites, such as both flat and round.
Understanding Characterization
Writers reveal their characters in six basic ways, one direct, five indirect:
Direct statement: The author can tell readers that a character is, for example, “a foolish man,” or
that “she had a cool head under pressure.”
Indirect methods include:
 Description of the character’s appearance and his/her background, surroundings,
possessions
 Narration of the character’s actions
 Narration of the character’s thoughts
 Narration of the character’s words
 Record of others’ reactions toward the character – how do they behave and/or what do
they say about the character?
The indirect methods require the reader to infer certain things about the character by putting
these details together. Combined with the direct statements, if any, a definite personality should
emerge.
Writing About Character
Armed with above knowledge, students can analyze characters in all genres (novels, short
stories, plays, poems). Here are some possible topics for writing about character:
1. Analyze how the protagonist or
antagonist changes from the beginning
of the work to the end.
2. Analyze the role of a minor character
(or characters) in a literary work.
3. Discuss the role of foils in a literary
work.
4. Discuss the conflicts, internal and
external, that a character suffers.
5. Analyze the use of a character as
narrator.
7. Discuss the use of dialogue as a
method of characterization.
8. Explain a character’s class or place in
society. Is the character free to move
within several classes or limited to one?
Why?
9. Explain the role the character has
played so far in the novel (importance).
10. Explain how the character reflects
the values of the time period in which
the work was written.
6. Compare and/or contrast two of the
characters. Evaluate relationships
between/among characters.
The Scarlet Letter—Character Analysis
Directions: For this week’s reading, focus on one or two characters that seem to be
significant to the plot, conflict, theme, etc. Review the notes from Understanding
Characterization and Writing About Character and select three quotes that highlight the
character/s. Write the quotes in MLA format and then provide at least 3-5 sentences of
commentary explaining the significance of the details in relation to the character. You will
have three separate quotes and three separate paragraphs of commentary.