1. Boot Camp A.P. Literature
Part 2- Characterization

2. Character Defined
A character is presumably an imagined person who inhabits a story, though there are exceptions to this simple definition.
Characters require motivation, sufficient reason to behave as they do if we are to believe they are realistic.
George Orwell’s Animal Farm is an exception to the “rule.”

3. Types of Characters Flat Round Static Dynamic Protagonist Antagonist
Hero
Anti hero
Stock
Archetype

4. Stock Characters
Stereotypical characters that require little detail from the author since audiences know them so well.
Examples: Prince Charming, the mad scientist, the greedy explorer, the reckless police detective.
Sampson and Gregory from Romeo and Juliet fit the stock definition of “the bragging solider” from Roman comedy.

5. The Archetype
Common Archetype examples
The hero
The mother
The innocent youth
The mentor
The lover
The rebel
The creator
The magician
The jester
The sage
The ruler
The explorer
The temptress
The villain
The psychologist, Carl Gustav Jung, used the concept of archetype in his theory of the human psyche. He believed that universal, mythic characters—archetypes—reside within the collective unconscious of people the world over. Archetypes represent fundamental human motifs of our experience as we evolved; consequentially, they evoke deep emotions.
**You can have archetypal situations too, like the journey.

6. Stock vs Archetype
If an archetype is a standard character that appears in may works of literature, what makes it different from the stock character?
A stock character although recognizable is also flat or cliché and can have a negative connotation
A stock character can be dependent upon its time period and may go out of date
Archetypes help establish more than just a superficial understanding of the character, they supply an undercurrent of theme, plot, or understanding which that time honored figure brings to the subconscious mind.

7. Properly Using the Word Archetype Here are sentences showing when to use archetype vs archetypal
Prometheus is an archetypal hero.
The Garden of Eden is an archetype for settings of paradise and innocence.
The coming-of-age story featured a loss of innocence, including an archetypal garden setting and snake figure.
The archetype of the “hero’s journey” is featured in many adventure films today.

8. Round/Flat
Flat characters may be minor characters with a single unique role or physical attribute.
One way that round characters come to life is when we get differing perspectives from multiple other characters about them.
Charles Dickens’ Tiny Tim is a memorable flat character. He serves to remind others of their Christian duties and blessings.

9. Dynamic/Static Dynamic characters change over the course of a work.
Static characters remain largely the same.
Major characters tend to be round and dynamic.
It is difficult to avoid making minor characters flat and static.
Ebenezer Scrooge is an obviously dynamic character.
Joe Gargery is a perfect example of a static character.

10. Hero / Anti-Hero
Heroic characters assume typical aspects of a hero. He or she is noble, brave, and lives a purposeful life.
Anti-heroes have become popular in modern literature. They are protagonists who lack heroic qualities, often to the point of irony.
Atticus Finch is noble and moral
Jay Gatsby lies, cheats, breaks the law, obsesses over a married woman. He’s a classic anti-hero.

11. Hero? Anti-Hero?
Odysseus
Melba Patillo Beals
Severus Snape
Shrek

12. Characterization Methods Direct Characterization
Author tells the audience what the character is like.
Indirect Characterization
Author shows the audience what the character is like through description.
Stronger method as it causes the characters to “come alive.”

13. 5 Methods of Indirect Characterization
Actions = what the character does
Appearance = what the character looks like
Private Thoughts = what the character thinks; tied to point of view.
Speech = what the character says and how she/he says it.
What Others Say = public and private opinion of the character by others in the work.

14. A Character’s Purpose Main Character
Supporting Character
To make a story rich and interesting
Used to develop a theme
Can reveal commentary on a society
Serves to advance the plot
Provides needed information
To reveal things about the main character

15. Be very structured to build the understanding in an analysis
Getting Started
Select a character
Decide what is the effect of your selected character’s depiction in the story: Sympathetic? Catalyst for plot development? Reflection of a theme? Symbolic? Social commentary? Other?
Find examples of characterization that reflect your idea about the character.
Be very structured to build the understanding in an analysis

16. Character Analysis “Jilting of Granny Weatherall” “Cathedral”
Identify the type of characters. Explain why.
For each character, provide one quote that exemplifies a method of indirect characterization.
Discuss what effect the characterization has on the story.
Select a character from one of the following stories
“Jilting of Granny Weatherall”
“Cathedral”
“Greasy Lake”
“To Build a Fire”
***To be completed in class when assigned but feel free to consider your options ahead of time.

17. Creating a Character based Thesis
Read the short story carefully. Then, in a well-organized essay, analyze how the author reveals the main character. In your analysis, you may wish to consider such literary elements as point of view, selection of detail, and imagery.
Your thesis should mention both author and title by name.
Your thesis should directly address the prompt and name the element(s) you have chosen to address.
Your thesis should address the meaning of the work as a whole
Today, Effect might be to support a theme, or create a social commentary.
General Zaroff, the primary antagonist In Richard Connell’s short story, “The Most Dangerous Game,” is a complex character who is not soon forgotten. Connell reveals these intricacies through dialogue, direct characterization, and suspense. This memorable and dynamic character leads to a strong impression that reason and instinct are closely connected.
Practice your writing your thesis