 The process by which a writer reveals the personality of a character.  Two methods: ◦ Direct characterization ◦ Indirect characterization

 1. Physical description of the character  Example: ◦ “She wore a blue gingham dress, rimmed at throat and shoulders with a white edging that accentuated her tan…she was arrestingly beautiful.” (Description of Judy in “Winter Dreams”)

 2. Presentation of the character’s own actions, words, thoughts, and feelings  Example: ◦ “I’m more beautiful than anybody else,…why can’t I be happy?” (Judy in “Winter Dreams) 

 3. Presentation of the actions, words, thoughts, and feelings of other characters in relation to that person.  Example: ◦ “My God, she’s a good-looking girl!” ◦ “Good-looking! She always looks as if she wanted to be kissed! Turning those big cow- eyes on every calf in town.” (Mr. Sandalwood and Mr. Hedrick talking about Judy in “Winter Dreams”)

 1. The narrator’s own direct comments about that character.  Example: ◦ “Whatever Judy wanted, she went after with the full pressure of her charm…She simply made men conscious to the highest degree of her physical loveliness.” (Narrator’s comments about Judy in “Winter Dreams”)

 1. The chief was his son, stalwart and strong, head man of the tribesmen, and a mighty hunter. ◦ “The Law of Life” ◦ p. 748

 2. “Didn’t I ever tell you? I wrote a novel once. I was just out of college, and didn’t want to be a doctor. No; I wanted to be a genius, so I wrote a novel.” ◦ (“April Showers” p. 800)

 3. “I think Judy’s a nice girl and I like her. I can’t understand how a man like Lud Simms could fall madly in love with her, but he did.” Then he added, “Most of the women like her.” ◦ “Winter Dreams” ◦ p. 957

 4. Her eyes were blue with age. Her skin had a pattern all its own of numberless branching wrinkles and as though a whole little tree stood in the middle of her forehead… ◦ “A Worn Path” ◦ P. 1006

 Central character  usually the hero  Character who opposes the main character (antagonist)  Usually the villain

1. For a protagonist, create examples of each of the four characterization types. 2. For an antagonist, create examples of each of the four characterization types. 3. Write your examples on the supplied paper. 4. When you are instructed, read your first example to the group I assign to you and have them guess which type it is and if it is for a protagonist or antagonist. 5. When instructed, repeat #3 until you have shared each of your examples.