Character and Characterization Group Two: Jacob Arthur, Grace Goddard, Jessica Gault, Elena Budinsky, Taylor Fegan

Characters are either ROUND or FLAT Round vs. Flat Characters are either ROUND or FLAT Round: *fully developed *many describing traits *very convincing *lots of background info Flat: *under-developed *few describing traits *usually symbolic *not many details

Connections to “The Most Dangerous Game” Round vs. Flat Connections to “The Most Dangerous Game” Whitney would be considered a “flat” character because she was hardly introduced into the story and her character was not expanded on. Whitney was in the story to provide conversation to explain the situation Rainsford was in. Flat Round Rainsford on the other hand was a very round character. There were many personality traits introduced about Rainsford. He was very smart and could think straight in a mentally disturbing time. It was shown that his character was very deep; he contemplated things, yet could think of amazing escapes on the spot.

Methods of Characterization Characterization: the method used by a writer to develop and explain a character Methods of Characterization: Showing characters appearance Showing the characters actions Showing the characters thoughts Character speaking Reaction to the character from others

Methods of Characterization Direct: the character is described by the author, narrator and other characters. The Most Dangerous Game Connections: An example from The Most Dangerous Game is when Rainsford first heard the gunshots from the islands. “An abrupt sound startled him. Off to the right he heard it, and his ears, expert in such matters, could not be mistaken.” This is the author DIRECTLY telling us about Rainsford’s good hearing, there’s no inferring or assumptions here, so it’s Direct characterization. Another example from The Most Dangerous Game is a few of Zarrof’s lines. . "I had to invent a new animal to hunt," "I wanted the ideal animal to hunt," explained the general. "So I said, `What are the attributes of an ideal quarry?' And the answer was, of course, `It must have courage, cunning, and, above all, it must be able to reason."' "But no animal can reason," objected Rainsford. "My dear fellow," said the general, "there is one that can.“ These lines all hint at a core character trait of Zarrof: He hunts people. This is indirect characterization, because the author does not just come out and tell it to us. Indirect: the characters traits are revealed by his/her actions and traits.

Dynamic vs. Static Dynamic: *change throughout the *face conflicts, adventures, story and events *developed main characters *do not change throughout Static: *typically minor characters the story *play supporting roles

Dynamic vs. Static Connections to “The Most Dangerous Game” Ivan was a static character because he did not change throughout the story and was a supporting role. Rainsford was a dynamic character because he used to be a hunter thinking that his prey had no feelings and when he in turn was being hunted his views on hunting changed. He changed throughout the story.

Protagonist & Antagonist Antagonist-a character in a story or poem who deceives, frustrates or works against the main character in some way Protagonist-the main character, who is not necessarily a hero or a heroine but strives for a perfect or better solution to the problem. Ex: In The Most Dangerous Game Rainsford would be considered the protagonist.Rainsford had an opportunity to do the wrong thing, hunt people.Instead of taking the opportunity he declined and even after he learned the effects of his answer he still went with the right thing to do.In order to change a bad situation to better Rainsford killed the general but for that small price of one many more will live.This means General Zaroff would be the antagonist.General Zaroff killed people for his pleasure and amusment.Thinking he was doing nothing wrong he continued to kill or have the person beaten.Rainsford resolved his problem along with solving the main problem.For the small price of general Zaroffs life many more good men will live

Sources: http://www.tnellen.com/cybereng/lit_terms/ http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/general/glossary.htm http://www.virtualsalt.com/litterms.htm http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/lit_term.html http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/lit-elements/overview/