Characterization and Setting

Literary Elements Characteristics of a text Derived from reading text Applies only to fiction books

Literary Element: Character Revelation directly indirectly Words from character Thoughts and feelings of character Actions/ appearance of the character Response from others to the character

Types of characters: Rounded characters well known Variety of traits believable

Types of characters (cont’d) Protagonist Central to text Issues revolve around this character reader identifies with

Types of characters (cont’d) Flat characters Less developed Quick intro Fewer traits Shows how protagonist behaves Help carry action Make setting believable

Types of characters (cont’d) Stereotyped characters Character in fiction Fits a standardized mental picture Narrow roles portrayed as having only one trait and thus lack the depth that people in real life have

Types of characters (cont’d) Foil characters A character who is meant to represent characteristics, values, ideas, etc. which are directly and diametrically opposed to those of another character, usually the protagonist. Minor character Opposite traits of main character Highlights principal character

CHANGE IN CHARACTER DYNAMIC STATIC Changes throughout the course of action Change may result from conflict STATIC Does not change Conflict does not affect character Include stereotype & foil May also be round character or protagonist

Literary Element: Setting Place (where) Time (when) General environ Critical to what character does Dynamic

Literary Element: Setting The setting can be Specific Ambiguous (e.g., a large urban city during economic hard times). Also refers directly to a description.

Literary Element: Setting The time setting might be a particular day, a season of the year, or a period in history. The place might be one room, a city, or the countryside. The environment, or general conditions surrounding the characters, may be one of wealth and joy or poverty and despair.

Types of Setting: Backdrop Backdrop setting: relatively unimportant for example, an internal conflict in the mind of first person narrator does not require a detailed setting .

Types of Setting: Integral Integral setting: time and place influence the action, character or theme

Functions of Setting Clarifies conflict Illuminates character Effects mood Illuminates character Setting may be a symbol…that is, it operates on two levels, the literal and the figurative. For example, the forest as a place and as a symbol for freedom and independence

If it is important… The author must make the reader see, hear, touch and maybe even smell the setting. Uses action, details of colour, sound, figurative language to make the setting real to the characters and to the reader.