Narrative Characters

Character coherence The amount the character is consistent with psychological, historical, or other expectations. 

Character depth Personal mysteries and intricacies that deepen and layer the dimensions of a complicated personality. 

Social hierarchies Social positioning between class, gender, race, age, and geography among other determinants.

Character types Share distinguishing features with other, similar characters. A single trait or multiple traits may define character types including physical, psychological or social traits. 

Stereotype When a film reduces an otherwise realistic character to a set of static traits that identify him or her in terms of a social, physical, or cultural category. Tends to be applied to marginalized social groups who are not represented by a range of character types.

Character development When characters move from one mental, physical, or social state to another in a particular film. 

External change A physical alteration. Often reflects other changes in the character’s social and personal sense of self and ability to evaluate others. 

Internal change Measures character changes from within.

Progressive character development Improvement or advancement in some quality of the character.

Regressive character development Indicates a loss of or return to some previous state or a deterioration from the present state.