Literary Elements Characterization

Character Defined A character is presumably an imagined person who inhabits a story, though there are exceptions to this simple definition. Characters require motivation, sufficient reason to behave as they do if we are to believe they are realistic. George Orwell’s Animal Farm is an exception to the “rule.”

Types of Characters Flat Round Static Dynamic Protagonist Antagonist Hero Anti hero Stock Archetype

Round/Flat Flat characters may be minor characters with a single unique role or physical attribute. One way that round characters come to life is when we get differing perspectives from multiple other characters about them. Charles Dickens’ Tiny Tim is a memorable flat character. He serves to remind others of their Christian duties and blessings.

Dynamic/Static Dynamic characters change over the course of a work. Static characters remain largely the same. Major characters tend to be round and dynamic. It is difficult to avoid making minor characters flat and static. Ebenezer Scrooge is an obviously dynamic character. John Grady and Rawlins in the film version of All the Pretty Horses

Hero / Anti-Hero Heroic characters assume typical aspects of a hero. He or she is noble, brave, and lives a purposeful life. Anti-heroes have become popular in modern literature. They are protagonists who lack heroic qualities, often to the point of irony. John Grady Cole is noble and moral Jay Gatsby lies, cheats, breaks the law, obsesses over a married woman. He’s a classic anti-hero.

Hero? Anti-Hero? Homer’s Odysseus is a hero in the classical sense. Joyce’s Leopold Bloom is an ironic anti-hero for the 20th century. Gulliver is an anti-hero used for comic effect by Swift.

Characterization Methods Direct Characterization Author tells the audience what the character is like. Indirect Characterization Author shows the audience what the character is like through description. Stronger method as it causes the characters to “come alive.”

5 Methods of Indirect Characterization Actions = what the character does Appearance = what the character looks like Private Thoughts = what the character thinks; tied to point of view. Speech = what the character says and how she/he says it. What Others Say = public and private opinion of the character by others in the work.

A Character’s Purpose Main Character Supporting Character To make a story rich and interesting Used to develop a theme Can reveal commentary on a society Serves to advance the plot Provides needed information To reveal things about the main character

Annotating Indirect Characterization ACT Actions = what the character does APP Appearance = what the character looks like THO Private Thoughts = what the character thinks; tied to point of view. SPE Speech = what the character says and how she/he says it. OTH What Others Say = public and private opinion of the character by others in the work.

Be very structured to build the understanding in an analysis ***To be completed in class when assigned but feel free to consider your options ahead of time. Getting Started Select a character Decide what is the effect of your selected character’s depiction in the story: Sympathetic? Catalyst for plot development? Reflection of a theme? Symbolic? Social commentary? Other? Find examples of characterization that reflect your idea about the character. Be very structured to build the understanding in an analysis

Creating a Character based Thesis Your thesis should mention both author and title by name. Your thesis should directly address the prompt and name the element(s) you have chosen to address. Your thesis should address the meaning of the work as a whole Today, Effect might be to support a theme, or create a social commentary. Practice your writing your thesis