1. How to Write a Character Analysis
The Crucible

2. A strong character analysis will
Identify the type of character it is dealing with
Describe the character
Discuss the conflict in the story, particularly in regards to the character’s place in it
Explain how the author uses the character to develop his/her theme

3. Identify the type of character
Protagonist (see notes)
Tragic Hero (see notes)
Antagonist (see notes)
Major/minor
Dynamic (see notes)
Static (see notes)
Stereotypical/Stock (see notes)
Round (see notes)
Flat (see notes)

4. Consider if he/she is static or dynamic
Was the change gradual or rapid?
Was it subtle or obvious?
Are the changes significant to the story or are they a minor counterpoint?
Are the changes believable or fantastic?
What was his/her motivation to change?
What situations or characters encouraged the change?
How does the character learn from or deal with the change?

5. Describing a character for analysis
Consider Name
Consider Appearance
Is their name significant? Is it a word that means something, like Honor or Hero? Does it come from a particular place or time and make reference to that?
Appearance and visual attributes are usually far less important factors, unless their appearance is the point- such as in The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

6. Psychological/Personality Traits
Do these characteristics aid in the characters being consistent (in characters), believable, adequately motivated and interesting?
Do the characteristics of the character emphasize and focus on the character’s role in the story’s plot?

7. Motivation
Is the character ethical? Is he/she trying to do the right thing, but going about it the wrong way?
Is the motivation because of emotion (love,hate) or a decision (revenge, promotion)?

8. Behavior/Actions Does the character act in a certain way consistently?
Or is the character erratic?
Could one pluck the character from the story, put them in another story, and know how they would react?

9. Describing Character With other characters in the story
Relationships
Weaknesses/Faults
With other characters in the story
How others see/react to him/her
Typical tragic weakness is pride
Could be anything: lying, talking to strangers, etc.

10. Conflict in the Story Man vs. society/religion Man vs. man/antagonist
Man vs. machine
Man vs. nature
Man vs. animal
Man vs. fate/destiny
Man vs. self

11. Paragraph Structure Review
Two-Chunk Body Paragraph
Sent. #1 -Topic Sentence – TS
Sent. #2 – Concrete Detail CD– Introduce QUOTE (Give context, speaker, etc) & include quote. You can always shorten it – see additional notes)
Sent. #3 – Commentary CM - (This shows that…)
Sent. #4 – CM – (It also indicates…OR …This is because…OR… This is important because…) – SO WHAT!? Connect back to author’s purpose/theme.
REPEAT with 2nd CD (#5) & 2 CMs (Sentences 6 & 7)
Sent. #8 – Concluding Sentence – CS – Sums it up and ties back to the thesis (As a result,…)