Characterization Notes Indirect and Direct Characterization Flat and Round Static and Dynamic

Characterization – the way an author reveals the special qualities and personalities of a character in a story, making the character believable.

Analyzing Character Traits We try to figure out what a character in a book is like by paying attention to the clues the author gives us. This is called “making inferences.” Example: What can you infer? “No, Honey, I don’t want you to spend a lot of money on my birthday present. Just having you for a husband is the only gift I need. In fact, I’ll just drive my old rusty bucket of bolts down to the mall and buy myself a little present. And if the poor old car doesn't break down, I’ll be back soon.”

Direct Characterization Direct Characterization: When the narrator or another character tells us what a person is like. Ex: Jason was a tall, broad-shouldered football player who always had a smile on his face.

Indirect Characterization Indirect Characterization: Requires the reader to look for clues that reveal a character’s traits and motivation. When looking for indirect characterization, think about all the following: What a character does (actions) What a character thinks What a character says (dialogue) What other characters say and how they react Ex: Jody ran up the stairs to her room, tears streaming down her face, and slammed her door loudly, hoping her mother would hear.

Indirect Characterization – writer shows you what character is like by revealing: S- Speech T- Thoughts E- Effect on Others A- Actions L- Looks

The Difference The difference between direct characterization and indirect characterization is TELLING v. SHOWING! Indirect characterizations are like clues about the characters. There is no mystery with direct characterization because the author gives us the information we need to know!

Speech– We often get to know characters because of what they say to each other. Anita threw her arms around Tony and gave him a big hug. “Thank you so much for being there for me,” she said. “I don’t think I could have faced my parents without you.” thoughtful compassionate appreciative

Thoughts– When an author lets us get inside the mind of a character, we can often learn a great deal about him or her. Butch looked around the neighborhood. “This would be a safe place to play catch with Bobby,” he thought. “Why doesn’t Bobby throw the ball?” He must be in a bad mood or something.” loyal concerned playful

Effect On Others– sometimes other characters will tell us something useful about the character we’re reading about. “You wouldn’t believe what Lisa did yesterday,” Sara said to her sister. “When we went into the bridal shop, she pushed all the women aside and demanded that the sales lady help us immediately. It was really something!” Demanding pushy assertive

Actions – Much of what we learn about characters is revealed to us through what they do. Denise picked up the slimy bull frog. She could hardly stand to hold it even for a moment. She held it out at arm’s length from her body and quickly carried it to her brother. Squeamish sensitive nervous

Looks jovial proud dedicated Can infer a lot about characters from the clothes they wear, their facial features, their body language, and their mannerisms. Tex was the head rancher on the farm. When he rounds up the horses, he can be easily spotted with his beige hat and vest. Tex’s smile is a mile wild, even with his bushy mustache. jovial proud dedicated

Your Turn Look for examples of both direct and indirect characterization from the following passage in “Thank You, M’am,” a short story by Langston Hughes: She was a large woman with a large purse that had everything in it but a hammer and nails. It had a long strap, and she carried it slung across her shoulder. It was about eleven o’clock at night, and she was walking alone when a boy ran up behind her and tried to snatch her purse. The strap broke with the single tug the boy gave it from behind. But the boy’s weight and the weight of the purse combined caused him to lose his balance so, instead of taking off full blast as he had hoped, the boy fell on his back on the sidewalk, and his legs flew up. The large woman simply turned around and kicked him right square in his blue-jeaned sitter. Then she reached down, picked the boy up by his shirt front, and shook him until his teeth rattled.

Character Development: Characterization—the process of revealing the personality of a character. Round Character—a well-developed character with varied traits, both good and bad. Ex: Ariel, in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, has positive traits, like being loving and courageous, but she also has less flattering traits like being forgetful and disobedient. She is a well-developed character with many sides.

Character Development: Flat Character—a less-developed character with one or a few traits; he/she is usually one-sided or stereotypical. Ex: Think of dumb blonde characters in many teen movies—they are usually selfish, bossy, and mean. We never see them being nice or having problems of their own. They are one-sided and less developed.

Character Change: Dynamic Character—a character that develops and changes over the course of a story due to a conflict or newfound understanding. Ex: Scrooge is selfish and mean in the beginning of A Christmas Carol, but later becomes generous and selfless when he realizes his sins. He changes because of what happens to him in the story.

Character Change: Static Character—a character who remains the same over the course of the entire story. Ex: Cinderella’s stepmother is mean in the beginning of the fairytale and mean at the end. She never changes.

Here’s a trick to help you remember the definitions: Round=Many Characteristics Flat=Few Characteristics Static=Same and Dynamic=Different Your Turn: Think back to “The Most Dangerous Game.” Who is flat and who is round? Why? Who is static and who is dynamic? Why?