Boot Camp A.P. Literature Part 2- 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

Stock Characters Stereotypical characters that require little detail from the author since audiences know them so well. Examples: Prince Charming, the mad scientist, the greedy explorer, the reckless police detective. Sampson and Gregory from Romeo and Juliet fit the stock definition of “the bragging solider” from Roman comedy.

The Archetype Common Archetype examples The hero The mother The innocent youth The mentor The lover The rebel The creator The magician The jester The sage The ruler The explorer The temptress The villain The psychologist, Carl Gustav Jung, used the concept of archetype in his theory of the human psyche. He believed that universal, mythic characters—archetypes—reside within the collective unconscious of people the world over. Archetypes represent fundamental human motifs of our experience as we evolved; consequentially, they evoke deep emotions. **You can have archetypal situations too, like the journey.

Stock vs Archetype If an archetype is a standard character that appears in may works of literature, what makes it different from the stock character? A stock character although recognizable is also flat or cliché and can have a negative connotation A stock character can be dependent upon its time period and may go out of date Archetypes help establish more than just a superficial understanding of the character, they supply an undercurrent of theme, plot, or understanding which that time honored figure brings to the subconscious mind.

Properly Using the Word Archetype Here are sentences showing when to use archetype vs archetypal Prometheus is an archetypal hero. The Garden of Eden is an archetype for settings of paradise and innocence. The coming-of-age story featured a loss of innocence, including an archetypal garden setting and snake figure. The archetype of the “hero’s journey” is featured in many adventure films today.

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. Joe Gargery is a perfect example of a static character.

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. Atticus Finch 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? Odysseus Melba Patillo Beals Severus Snape Shrek

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

Be very structured to build the understanding in an analysis 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

Character Analysis “Jilting of Granny Weatherall” “Cathedral” Identify the type of characters. Explain why. For each character, provide one quote that exemplifies a method of indirect characterization. Discuss what effect the characterization has on the story. Select a character from one of the following stories “Jilting of Granny Weatherall” “Cathedral” “Greasy Lake” “To Build a Fire” ***To be completed in class when assigned but feel free to consider your options ahead of time.

Creating a Character based Thesis Read the short story carefully. Then, in a well-organized essay, analyze how the author reveals the main character. In your analysis, you may wish to consider such literary elements as point of view, selection of detail, and imagery. 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. General Zaroff, the primary antagonist In Richard Connell’s short story, “The Most Dangerous Game,” is a complex character who is not soon forgotten. Connell reveals these intricacies through dialogue, direct characterization, and suspense. This memorable and dynamic character leads to a strong impression that reason and instinct are closely connected. Practice your writing your thesis