Characterization Elements of Fiction

Overview Common Core Standards Characterization 8.3 Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision. 8.5 Analyze the purpose of information being presented Characterization A character can either be… Protagonist or Antagonist Dynamic or Static Round or Flat Indirect / direct characterization We will examine each of these terms.

Characterization Noun portrayal; description: the actor’s characterization of a politician. The act of characterizing. The creation and convincing representation of fictitious characters. Synonyms 1. representation, depiction, delineation.

Protagonist The central or main character in a story Synonym: hero Sometimes the protagonist can be considered a "good" person. Other times his or her moral values are more ambiguous. Can you think of a story where the main character is not necessarily "good"?

Protagonist Examples: Harry Potter Bruce Wayne (Batman) Luke Skywalker Dorothy (Wizard of Oz) Katniss Everdeen James Bond Many More…….

Protagonist Physical Characteristics: Could be anything, Typically: Simple Humanistic Relatable

Protagonist Personality Traits: Brave Daring Ambitious Just Humble

Antagonist The character or group of characters that stands against the protagonist. The antagonist is usually considered to be "bad," but this is not always true. Sometimes he or she may just have something to learn.

Antagonist Examples: Voldemort The Joker Emperor Palpatine The Wicked Witch

Antagonist Physical Characteristics: Unlimited Possibilities Often Deformed Unusual Attire/ Costumes Sometimes relatable

Antagonist Personality Traits: Evil Selfish Greedy Jealous Unforgiving

Dynamic character A character who has an important inner change Example At the beginning of the story, Jenny does not appreciate the life that she has until a family emergency causes her to stay at her aunt's house. Things are much different at her aunt's house and everyone who lives there appreciates everything that they get, since they don't get very much. When Jenny is finally able to return home, she has a new perspective and a more appreciative attitude. Notice that Jenny didn't just change her shoes or something little? She underwent a serious and important change in the course of the story; therefore, she is a dynamic character.

Dynamic character A character who has an important inner change Examples: Ebeneezer Scrooge Darth Vader Hermione Granger

Dynamic character A character who has an important inner change Character Traits: Personality changes Over time Sometimes also the protagonist

Static Character A character that does not change significantly. Example Mr. Hero was defending the streets of Urbanity City during one of Despair-O's attacks. Despair-O built an army of robot ninjas and was using them to steal money and valuables. Mr. Hero fell for one of Despair-O's tricks and was captured; however, he soon devised a clever escape trick, shut down Despair-O's robot army, and captured the villain. Did you notice that neither Mr. Hero nor Despair-O make any significant character changes throughout the course of the text? This makes them static characters.

Static Character A character that does not change significantly. Examples: Professor McGonagall Sherlock Holmes Yoda

Static Character A character that does not change significantly. Character Traits: Contribute to the story Little to no change

Round Character A well-developed, lifelike character that demonstrates multiple sides, traits, and emotions. Example Ernie doesn't want to cheat on the test, but his Dad will punish him severely if he fails. Ernie knows that cheating is wrong, but he thinks it may be a wrong that he's willing to live with. After all, he'd rather have his conscience beating him up than his dad. Ernie considers studying for the test instead. There isn't much time, but he has pulled off some feats of concentration in the past. Ernie demonstrates multiple, realistic sides to his personality. This makes him a round character.

Round Character A well-developed, lifelike character that demonstrates multiple sides, traits, and emotions. Examples: Ron Weasley Woody Obi-Wan Kenobi

Round Character A well-developed, lifelike character that demonstrates multiple sides, traits, and emotions. Character Traits: Develops through the story Not consistent More realistic

Flat Character An one-dimensional character that does not display emotional depth and has a single set of traits. Example Vince was exhausted from doing laps. His throat was dry and scratchy and the summer sun pounded down on him. He finally summoned the courage to ask Coach Lewis if he could get a drink of water and Coach Lewis laughed, "You can get everyone some water, water boy." Coach Lewis had a reputation for winning, but he also had a reputation for doing whatever it took to win. Coach Lewis is not a warm guy. We know that he is tough, but we do not learn why. No internal struggle with his feelings is revealed; therefore, he is a flat character.

Flat Character An one-dimensional character that does not display emotional depth and has a single set of traits. Examples: Draco Malfoy Step Mother (Cinderella) Chewbacca

Flat Character An one-dimensional character that does not display emotional depth and has a single set of traits. Examples: - Very important to the story - Not fully explained - Little to no change

Review All characters are either dynamic or static, depending on whether they make important changes. All characters are either round or flat, depending on how emotionally developed each is. A character can be either a protagonist, an antagonist, or neither, depending on whether they are the main character, against the main character, or neither.

Practice #1 Read each short story, analyze the characters, and then answer the questions.

Juan wasn't technically supposed to be in this country Juan wasn't technically supposed to be in this country. He was considered by law to be an illegal immigrant, but Juan didn't look at it that way. He wanted a better life for his family, no matter what it took, so he worked three hard jobs for minimum wage. He sent what money he could back to his family. It was a hard and lonely life for Juan, and it was only made harder by one of his bosses, Rick. "Hey, Pablo, I need you to clean the toilets again." Juan did not like that Rick called him Pablo, which was not his name, but he had little choice but to accept this treatment. "Andale amigo!" Rick shouted at Juan while clapping. After hurrying to the washroom with the janitorial supplies, he noticed that the toilets were, in fact, still clean. Juan, however, did not bother raising the argument with Rick, who would only find a different way to make his life harder. While further cleaning the already clean toilets, Juan wondered what had happened in Rick's life to make him so hateful.

1 Who is the protagonist and who is the antagonist?

Answer Antagonist: Rick Protagonist: Juan

2 Is Rick a dynamic character or a static character?

Answer Rick is a static character because he does not make any significant changes in the course of the story.

3 Is Juan a dynamic character or a static character?

Answer Juan is a static character because he does not make any significant changes in the course of the story.

4 Is Rick a flat character or a round character?

Answer Rick is a flat character because he appears as a single-sided bully who shows little depth.

5 Is Juan a round character or a flat character?

Answer Juan is a round character because of the conflicts within his character: while Juan is breaking the law, many readers would be sympathetic to his reasons for doing so. Also, instead of just hating Rick for bullying him, Juan considers the causes of Rick's feelings, which shows some emotional depth on Juan's part.

Practice #2 Read each the short story, analyze the characters, and then answer the questions.

When Vince got to the party, he was a little bit worried that he couldn't find his friends. Vince wasn't really an awkward person, but he found it a bit awkward to stand around at a party with a bunch of people he hardly knew. Then he bumped into one of the football players, Greg. Greg was a big guy with red hair and he always gave Vince problems. "Hey, Vince? Want a beer?" Vince looked down at his soda. "No thanks, Greg. I've got to drive." Greg walked closer to Vince and puffed out his chest. "C'mon Prince Vince, you're going to turn me down?" Vince didn't have anything against drinking, even though he wasn't of the legal age, but his cousin had died in an alcohol related car accident, and he wouldn't make the same mistake. ”I’m going to have to. Not tonight, Greg," Vince said as he walked passed Greg, noticing that some of his friends had arrived. Greg crushed a beer can in his hand and grunted.

1 Who is the protagonist and who is the antagonist?

Answer Antagonist: Greg Protagonist: Vince

2 Is Greg a dynamic character or a static character?

Answer Greg is a static character because he does not make any significant changes in the course of the story.

3 Is Vince a dynamic character or a static character?

Answer Vince is a static character because he does not make any significant changes in the course of the story.

4 Is Greg a flat character or a round character?

Answer Greg is a flat character because he appears as a single-sided bully who shows little depth.

5 Is Vince a round character or a flat character?

Answer Vince is a round character because he displays multiple character traits and lifelike reasoning. He appears both nervous and confident. He is nervous that he is at the party alone, but he confidently resists Greg's peer pressure. Readers also learn a little bit about his past and why he declines Greg's offer.

Last Review! All characters are either dynamic or static, depending on whether they make important changes. All characters are either round or flat, depending on how emotionally developed each is. A character can be either a protagonist, an antagonist, or neither, depending on whether they are the main character, against the main character, or neither.

Direct / Indirect Characterization http://prezi.com/1h3acpudxdkk/directindirect-characterization/