1. Literary Elements
Notes

2. Character

3. Types of Characters:
Protagonist
Antagonist

4. the main character, or hero, of a story
Protagonist:
the main character, or hero, of a story
(the one we root for)

5. Antagonist: any character who opposes the protagonist
(often the “villain” of the story)

6. Examples: Protagonist = Harry Potter Antagonist = Voldemort
Protagonist = Batman
Antagonist = Joker
Protagonist =Luke Skywalker
Antagonist = Darth Vader

7. Development of Characters:
Flat Character
Round Character

8. Flat Character: an undeveloped character; a “walk-on”
(not very important to the action or outcome)

9. Round Character: a fully-developed character
(we see many different sides to these main characters)

10. Examples:
Flat =
Whitney
Ivan ???
Round =
Rainsford
General Zaroff

11. Change in Characters:
Dynamic Character
Static Character

12. Dynamic Character:
Remember:
dynamic = different

13. Faces a life-changing event
Dynamic Character:
Faces a life-changing event

14. Dynamic Character: 2. Experiences an “epiphany”
(a sudden moment of revelation – the lightbulb moment!)

15. 3. Changes a basic attitude or belief
Dynamic Character:
3. Changes a basic attitude or belief

16. 4. Undergoes a personality or “deep” change
Dynamic Character:
4. Undergoes a personality or “deep” change

17. Static Character:
Remember:
static = same

18. Static Character: Same actions 2. Same attitude 3. Same behavior
4. Same values

19. Methods of Characterization:
Direct Characterization
Indirect Characterization

20. Direct Characterization:
the author tells us directly what a character is like

21. Indirect Characterization:
the author shows us or hints at what a character is like

22. Indirect Characterization:
1. What they say
2. What they think
3. What they do
4. How others react
to them

23. Direct Characterization: Indirect Characterization:
Examples:
Direct Characterization:
Bob was a selfish boy and a nasty bully.
Indirect Characterization:
Even though Bob had already had one slice of pizza, he stole 5 more from the other boys during lunch.

24. Direct Characterization: Indirect Characterization:
Examples:
Direct Characterization:
Julie could never make up her mind. She owned a multitude of outfits and accessories, and it always took her forever to decide which combination might impress Trent. As usual, she called her sister several times for advice. After doing so, Julie decided to give the navy blue skirt with the white sweater a try.
Indirect Characterization:
Julie held up six different outfits in front of the mirror and pondered which would go best with her navy blue shoes, pastel eye shadow and the diamond earrings she’d already procured from her overflowing vanity. After ninety minutes of mixing and matching, and cell-phoning her sister three times for advice, Julie made up her mind. She’d give the navy blue skirt and white sweater a try, hoping Trent would love it.

25. Character