Characterization Our Town

characterization Characterization refers to the way an author develops the fictional people who populate a novel—you know, characters? In other words, characterization is how an author helps us get to know all of the characters in a book. An author might develop a character through dialogue (the words a character speaks), through action (what he or she does), through narration about the character, through the character's relationship to others, or through his or her changes over time.

Direct vs. indirect characterization When the author flat out tells you about the character…no thinking required. Indirect Characterization: When the author shows you what the character is like.

Flat vs. round characters Flat Characters: characters who are one-dimensional, who lack emotional depth, and who don't change much over the course of the story. They move the plot forward, comic relief, etc. Round Characters: We probably have some understanding of a round character's thoughts, feelings, and motivations, and they may also change over the course of the story

In-class activity Take 3 minutes…characterize someone in this class…do not use their name (BE NICE!!!). Use 3 different types of characterization: Actions, Clothing, Family Life, Food, Location, Name, Occupation, Personification, Physical Appearance, Props, Sex/Love, Social Status, Thoughts/Opinions, etc.

Practice Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Dudley's favorite punching bag was Harry, but he couldn't often catch him. Harry didn't look it, but he was very fast. Perhaps it had something to do with living in a dark cupboard, but Harry had always been small and skinny for his age. He looked even smaller and skinnier than he really was because all he had to wear were old clothes of Dudley's, and Dudley was about four times bigger than he was. Harry had a thin face, knobbly knees, black hair, and bright green eyes. He wore round glasses held together with a lot of Scotch tape because of all the times Dudley had punched him on the nose. The only thing Harry liked about his own appearance was a very thin scar on his forehead that was shaped like a bolt of lightning. He had had it as long as he could remember, and the first question he could ever remember asking his Aunt Petunia was how he had gotten it. "In the car crash when your parents died," she had said. "And don't ask questions." Don't ask questions—that was the first rule for a quiet life with the Dursleys.

Practice The Hunger Games I swing my legs off the bed and slide into my hunting boots. Supple leather that has molded to my feet. I pull on trousers, a shirt and tuck my long braid into a cap and grab my forage bag…as soon as I'm in the trees, I retrieve a bow and sheath of arrows from a hollow log…there's food if you know how to find it. My father knew and he taught me some before he was blown to bits in a mine explosion. There was nothing even to bury. I was eleven then. Five years later, I still wake up screaming for him to run.

practice The Lorax (Background: Just after the Once-ler cuts down the first tree and sews a Thneed, the Lorax appears): "He was shortish and oldish and brownish and mossy. And he spoke with a voice that was sharpish and bossy. "Mister," he said with a sawdusty sneeze, "I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees." He was very upset as he shouted and puffed. What's that thing you have made out of my Truffula tuft? "I repeat," cried the Lorax, "I speak for the trees." "I'm busy," I told him. "Shut up if you please."

assignment Choose 1 main character, and 1 supporting character from Our Town. Identify 3 quotes for each character that demonstrate Wilder’s use of characterization. For each quote write: Is this an example of direct or indirect characterization? What type of characterization is Wilder using (actions, direct description, etc.) What do we learn about the character from the quote, and why is it important?

Assignment continued Main Character Only: Write down 3 words to describe him/her. Write down a synonym for each of these words. Create a picture for your character (drawn, or online) Choose 1 of the following: A list of 5 TV shows, movies, and/or songs the character would like. A Pinterest type board with 5 images, inspirational quotes, or objects of interest to the character. A list of 5 stories that the character should read. A list of 5 places the character should visit. A list of 5 tech-savvy things the character would like.