The 5 Methods of Characterization

1. Physical Description Identifies anything physical about the character. Includes height, skin, hair and eye color, short/tall, skinny/fat, wear glasses?, how he/she walks/stands, anything physical about the character.

Example of physical description: “ Inside the floating cloak he was tall, thin, and bony: and his hair was red beneath the black cap. His face was crumpled and freckled, and ugly without silliness.” Lord of the Flies Description of Jack, Chapter 1: The Sound of the Shell.

2. Thoughts, Speech, and Action of the Character The way a character thinks about himself/herself, other characters, or life in general can tell you a lot about that character’s worldview as well as his/her expectations for themselves and others. By looking at what the character says also reveals his/her point of view. Analyzing the character’s actions is a method of discovering a character’s motivation.

Thoughts “The desire to squeeze and hurt was over- mastering.” Lord of the Flies Ralph fights to get near Robert, as the boys relive the pig hunt, Chapter 7: Shadows and Tall Trees.

Speech “I don't care what they call me, so long as they don't call me what they used to call me at school...They used to call me Piggy.” Lord of the Flies Piggy, Chapter 1: The Sound of the Shell.

Speech Pay attention to the tone and diction of the character when he/she speaks. Is the character serious? Sarcastic? Shy? Obnoxious? Ignorant? Etc…all these qualities can be conveyed through the characters dialogue or speech.

Example of a Character’s Actions “I painted my face--I stole up. Now you eat--all of you--and I—” Lord of the Flies Jack tosses piece of meat to Simon and shouts in frustration and rage, Chapter 4: Painted Faces and Long Hair.

3. Thoughts, Speech, and Actions of Other Characters The way other characters think about, speak to, and act upon the character you are analyzing reveals important information about your character. Reactions include verbal responses and physical or emotional treatment. Character reactions can tell you if the character you are analyzing is liked or disliked, popular, honest, trust-worthy etc…

Example of Thoughts, Speech, and Actions of Other Characters “We've got to have rules and obey them. After all, we're not savages. We're English, and the English are best at everything.” Lord of the Flies Jack shows respect for democracy and the conch, Chapter 2: Fire on the Mountain. “Kill the pig! Cut his throat! Kill the pig! Bash him in!” Lord of the Flies The boys relive the thrill of hunting by encircling Robert as if he were the pig, grabbing at him and chanting, Chapter 7: Shadows and Tall Trees.

4. Direct Comments the Narrator Makes about the character “Piggy, for all his ludicrous body, had brains. Ralph was a specialist in thought now, and could recognize thought in another.” Lord of the Flies Ralph who calls an emergency assembly respects Piggy as an equal and adopts his way of thinking, Chapter 5: Beast from Water. “His mind was crowded with memories; memories of the knowledge that had come to them when they closed in on the struggling pig, knowledge that they had outwitted a living thing, imposed their will upon it, taken away its life like a long satisfying drink.” Lord of the Flies Jack and the hunters after slaying the pig, Chapter 4: Painted Faces and Long Hair.

5. Reactions the character has to incidents or events during the time in which the story takes place or before the story takes place; this can include conflicts.

Example of Character’s Reaction to an Action or Incident: “He began to dance and his laughter became a bloodthirsty snarling.” Lord of the Flies Jack gives way to his primal impulses when the boys go on a pig hunt, Chapter 4: Painted Faces and Long Hair.

Using the 5 methods to describe a character Analyze the way an author uses these 5 methods of characterization when writing a description of a character in the stories you read. By looking at all 5 methods you can give an in-depth description of the character instead of a flat description that includes only basic information.