18 Sept 2014 TODAY’S AGENDA: CHARACTERS IN LITERATURE. WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES? HOW DO YOU DETERMINE A CHARACTER TYPE? WHAT IS CHARACTERIZATION? HOW DO YOU ANALYZE A CHARACTER?

CHARACTER Characterization Character Types

A character is a person or creature that interacts with others within a story.

The action of the story revolves around the protagonist and the conflict he or she faces. Usually the “Good Guy,” but not always. Major Characters Protagonist—the primary major character of a story. (Sometimes called the main character.) Antagonist—the character or force the protagonist struggles against and must overcome.

There is usually one protagonist, though it is possible for there to be multiple major characters.

Other major characters are not necessarily unimportant, they are simply characters of less importance to the plot than the protagonist and antagonist. All major characters are necessary for the story to develop. They add depth and complexity to the story. Major Characters THE MAJOR characters Other Major Characters

MINOR CHARACTERS Characters of less importance who interact with the major characters. They MAY add depth and complication to the story, however their actions or role in the plot could often be accomplished just as easily with another character. They are usually flat and static.

Flat characters These are characters whose actions don’t affect the overall plot. Flat Characters versus Round Characters They may be mentioned by name, but their personalities are not fully developed. The reader knows very little about them. They are usually minor characters.

FLAT CHARACTERS ONE WAY TO REMEMBER THE DEFINITION OF A FLAT CHARACTER IS TO THINK OF A CARDBOARD CUT-OUT. WE ONLY SEE ONE “SIDE” OF THEIR PERSONALITY.

Round characters Flat Characters versus Round Characters a character with a complex and realistic personality; often called "three-dimensional" or "multifaceted" characters. We understand the motivation of these characters (why they do things) and their personal perspective. Major characters will be round. In well written stories, even some of the minor characters can be round.

Static characters Dynamic Characters versus Static Characters a character who does not change throughout the course of the story. a character who does not “grow” emotionally. a character whose personality remains the same at the end of the story as it was at the beginning of the story. These are usually flat characters [End of Section] Crazy from beginning to end… Not even her hairstyle changes

Dynamic characters a character whose personality changes during the course of the story. a character who grows, emotionally, or learns from the actions or events in the story. These are major characters will usually be dynamic characters Dynamic characters will be round.. Dynamic Characters vs. Static Characters

Character traits - elements of a character's personality that define who the character is Shrek is grouchy and irritable, but kind-hearted; these are his character traits.

Characterization – The method by which the writer reveals characters’ traits.

Writers create characters by revealing information about ………… Speech – What the character says Appearance – looks, sounds, smells Inward thoughts of the character. others’ reactions to the character Actions – What the character does. Characterization….

Which of method of characterization did the author use? Characterization Quick Check “Keep still, you little devil, or I’ll cut your throat!” A fearful man, all in coarse grey, with a great iron on his leg. A man with no hat, and with broken shoes, and with an old rag tied round his head. A man who had been soaked in water, and smothered in mud, and lamed by stones, and cut by flints... ; who limped, and shivered, and glared and growled; and whose teeth chattered in his head as he seized me by the chin. from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens [End of Section]

Speech Actions Description Character Development Quick Check Which methods of character development are being used? “Keep still, you little devil, or I’ll cut your throat!” A fearful man, all in coarse grey, with a great iron on his leg. A man with no hat, and with broken shoes, and with an old rag tied round his head. A man who had been soaked in water, and smothered in mud, and lamed by stones, and cut by flints... ; who limped, and shivered, and glared and growled; and whose teeth chattered in his head as he seized me by the chin. from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

Direct Characterization – when an author clearly states the character’s personality, leaving no room for mistakes. “Dena was a kind, caring individual.” The author tells us specifically what the character is like.

Indirect characterization – When an author reveals a character’s personality through his or her actions or dialogue; “Dena felt so sad when she saw the hurt little chipmunk that she began to cry. She immediately approached it to try and help it get better.” The author shows us what the character is like.

Quick Check My sister, Mrs. Joe, with black hair and eyes, had such a prevailing redness of skin that I sometimes used to wonder whether it was possible she washed herself with a nutmeg-grater instead of soap. She was tall and bony, and almost always wore a coarse apron, fastened over her figure behind with two loops, and having a square impregnable bib in front, that was stuck full of pins and needles. from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens Is this an example of direct or indirect characterization? What kind of person do you think this character is? Direct and Indirect Characterization [End of Section]

Indirect. The writer is describing the character’s appearance. Direct and Indirect Characterization Quick Check Is this an example of direct or indirect characterization? My sister, Mrs. Joe, with black hair and eyes, had such a prevailing redness of skin that I sometimes used to wonder whether it was possible she washed herself with a nutmeg-grater instead of soap. She was tall and bony, and almost always wore a coarse apron, fastened over her figure behind with two loops, and having a square impregnable bib in front, that was stuck full of pins and needles. from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

I think she’s strict and unfriendly. What kind of person do you think this character is? Direct and Indirect Characterization Quick Check My sister, Mrs. Joe, with black hair and eyes, had such a prevailing redness of skin that I sometimes used to wonder whether it was possible she washed herself with a nutmeg-grater instead of soap. She was tall and bony, and almost always wore a coarse apron, fastened over her figure behind with two loops, and having a square impregnable bib in front, that was stuck full of pins and needles. from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

Characters Traits ….adjectives absent-minded adventurous argumentative arrogant brilliant competitive courageous cruel determined eloquent enthusiastic Excellent fearful fearless foolish fragile generous glum harsh haughty honest impulsive industrious insightful Intelligent jealous joyous kind loyal melancholy mischievous mysterious patient powerful rude self-important silly strong stubborn thoughtful tough weak

ANALYZING A CHARACTER – CREATING A MAP Adjectives: What does the character say? Include 3 to 5 direct quotes from the reading. What does the character do? Describe specific actions. What do others say about the character or how do they treat them? Include 3 direct quotes. Describe the character’s appearance.

Take out a sheet of paper for notes. Write the date and the title “Characterization in ‘A Letter From the Fringe’ by Joan Bauer” at the top. Create 4 columns on the top half of the paper. Label them as shown. As you read through the short story notice when the author uses the four different characterization methods. Don’t take time to quote or paraphrase yet, just record on which page and in which column you found an example. For example… Character says Character does Character’s appearance Said about character P1=page 1 C3=column 3 P1-C3