Character in Fiction

Definition Characters: the people in the story Characters: the people in the story Characterization: the process by which the writer makes the character seem real to the reader Characterization: the process by which the writer makes the character seem real to the reader

Character Types: Flat and Round Flat character Flat character –Embodies 1 or 2 qualities, easily summarized; –Not psychologically complex and thus easily accessible to the reader; –Can be stock or stereotype a character who possesses the expected traits of a group rather than being an individual a character who possesses the expected traits of a group rather than being an individual Choose a Movie- You try it!

Character Types: Flat and Round Round characters-- Round characters-- –Complex and multi- dimensional –Inconsistent and unpredictable –Hard to summarize and understand –Display internal conflicts found in real people

The Shawshank Redemption, Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman

Character Presentation Direct (telling) Direct (telling) –The writer tells what kind of person the character is. Indirect (showing) Indirect (showing) –The writer presents the character in action and allows the reader to infer what kind of person the character is.

Character Behavior—Do They Change or Not? Static character Static character –Doesn’t change as a result of what happens to him in the story; –The reader’s knowledge of him does not grow.

Character Behavior Dynamic character Dynamic character –Undergoes some kind of change as a result of action in the plot; –Must be a substantive change rather than a mood change.

Change or No Change... A character must be A character must be –Motivated Reader is offered reasons for how the characters behave, what they say, and what decisions they make; Reader is offered reasons for how the characters behave, what they say, and what decisions they make; –Plausible Action by a character that seems reasonable, given the motivations presented Action by a character that seems reasonable, given the motivations presented

Characterisation comes though what characters… say do Characters become real life breathing people to our reader if we describe decisions they make, what they say and how they say it. Sometimes a writer will reveal also the thoughts which run through a character’s mind.

Top Tips for creating characterisation. Tip One Use an unusual name. Use description, alliteration, nicknames. Example Biscuits was too large for the t-shirt he wore. Bits of him bulged out in unlikely places. But he didn’t seem to care. His round, red face grinned at me. “Hiyah!” said Biscuits, thrusting his pudgy hand our towards mine.

Contrasting characters Tip Two A simple contrast is most effective. One character could be gentle, the other harsh. How do the characters in the text below contrast? Example The Grabber stood blocking their way. Tom hesitated, then turned on his heal and rushed back up the corridor screaming. Victor picked up the whalebone wand. He faced the Grabber and without saying a word gazed deep into its eyes.

Using what characters do. Tip Three We should be able to describe our character’s feelings by what they do. Take care not to write over simplified sentences such as He was sad. He was angry. Example Grandma gently took the box from its secret place in the wardrobe. Immediately her eyes began to prickle. She opened the lid carefully and took in the familiar scent.

Using what a character says. Tip Four Dialogue. To show fear h-h-hesitate, um, er. Show power, confidence. Begin sentences with imperative verbs (bossy verbs) Or I, I, I. Use synonyms for said. Example The old king stood up and gazed around the room. Everyone fell silent. “I will not wait,” he roared. “I must have porridge! And I want it now!”

Characterization The method used by a writer to develop a character The method used by a writer to develop a character –Show the character’s appearance –Display the character’s actions –Reveal the character’s thoughts –Let the character speak –Get the reactions of others –

Character Analysis Physical. What does the character look like? How do the character’s physical attributes play a role in the story? How does the character feel about his or her physical attributes? How does the character change physically during the story? How do these changes affect the character’s experience? Physical. What does the character look like? How do the character’s physical attributes play a role in the story? How does the character feel about his or her physical attributes? How does the character change physically during the story? How do these changes affect the character’s experience?

Character Analysis Intellectual. How would you describe this character’s intelligence? What does this character know? How does this character’s intellect compare to others in the story? Is this character smart enough to thrive in the world in which he or she lives? What does this character learn as the story develops? Intellectual. How would you describe this character’s intelligence? What does this character know? How does this character’s intellect compare to others in the story? Is this character smart enough to thrive in the world in which he or she lives? What does this character learn as the story develops?

Character Analysis Emotional. How does this character feel most of the time? How do his or her feelings change throughout the story? How does this character feel about himself or herself? When faced with challenges in the story, what emotions come up for this character? Emotional. How does this character feel most of the time? How do his or her feelings change throughout the story? How does this character feel about himself or herself? When faced with challenges in the story, what emotions come up for this character?

Character Analysis Social. How does this character get along with other characters in the story? Who does this character choose for friends and why does this character choose them? Where does this character stand in the social order? How does this character’s social standing affect events in the story? Social. How does this character get along with other characters in the story? Who does this character choose for friends and why does this character choose them? Where does this character stand in the social order? How does this character’s social standing affect events in the story?

Character Analysis Philosophical. What does this character believe about the way life is? What are these beliefs based on? How do these beliefs affect the choices this character makes? How do those beliefs change throughout the story? Do others in the story share these beliefs? Philosophical. What does this character believe about the way life is? What are these beliefs based on? How do these beliefs affect the choices this character makes? How do those beliefs change throughout the story? Do others in the story share these beliefs?

Sources Compiled from: Compiled from: /characte.ppt powerpoints/Cha... powerpoints/Cha hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/phillie/English/r eading.../Character%20Traits.ppt