1. Identifying the Elements of Literature: Character
Student Notes
English III
Mr. Love

2. Character (definition)
A character is a person or sometimes an animal or other being in a story (short story, novel, play, poem, movie, etc.).

3. Types of Characters Round Flat Dynamic Static Foil Protagonist
Antagonist

4. Types of Characters Defined
Round Character - a round character is fully developed, meaning we know lots about the character; readers may even be able to anticipate the actions of a round character if the characterization is well done and consistent.
Flat Character - we know very little about a flat character; flat characters are not meant to serve as main characters. They serve as necessary elements in plot or as elements of the setting.

5. Types of Characters Defined
Dynamic Character - a dynamic character is one who changes by the end of the story,  learning something that changes him or her in a permanent way. 
Static Character - static characters do not change; they are the same person at the end of the story as they were at the beginning.

6. Types of Characters Defined
Foil Character - a foil character is in most ways opposite to the main character. The purpose of the foil character is to emphasize the traits of the main character by contrast.
Protagonist - the main character of the story or the character you are “rooting for” to succeed (meet the goal or solve the conflict). The protagonist is not always a “nice guy” or hero.
Antagonist - the force that works against the protagonist; the antagonist does not have to be a person (remember from conflict that forces of nature, a society, or even a flaw of the protagonist can be an antagonist).

7. Conflict
External conflict—struggle between a character and an outside force.
character versus character
character versus society
character versus nature

8. Conflict
Internal conflict—struggle between opposing needs or desires or emotions within a character.
character versus himself

9. Conflict Quick Check What type of conflict does the character face?
“Y’all git some stones,” commanded Joey now and was met with instant giggling obedience as everyone except me began to gather pebbles from the dusty ground. “Come on, Lizabeth.”
I just stood there peering through the bushes, torn between wanting to join the fun and feeling that it was a bit silly.
from “Marigolds” by Eugenia W. Collier
[End of Section]

10. Conflict Quick Check What type of conflict does the character face?
“Y’all git some stones,” commanded Joey now and was met with instant giggling obedience as everyone except me began to gather pebbles from the dusty ground. “Come on, Lizabeth.”
I just stood there peering through the bushes, torn between wanting to join the fun and feeling that it was a bit silly.
from “Marigolds” by Eugenia W. Collier
Internal conflict. She has to decide whether to join in or not.

11. Motivation
Motivation—what drives a character’s actions. It explains behaviors and reveals personality.
Is often based on character’s fears, conflicts, needs!
Motivation can be inferred by observing characters’ behavior, speech, actions.

12. Practice
Protagonist
Write a short story in which the protagonist faces powerful conflicts. Use the chart provided to map out the conflicts and their resolutions, as well as the protagonist’s motivations.
Motivation
Motivation
Internal Conflict
External conflict and antagonist
Resolution
Resolution

13. Types of Characters Grouped
Typically your main character will be…
The protagonist
Round
Dynamic
Other major characters will be…
Foils
The antagonist
Static
Minor characters will be…
Flat

14. Characterization
Definition - the process by which the author reveals the character’s personality or what the character is like, who he or she is.

15. Types of Characterization
Direct Characterization – the author directly states or tells the reader what the characters are like.
Example – The girl was very shy, but also very beautiful, and therefore, always attracting attention.
Indirect Characterization – the author does not directly state what the character is like and the reader has to decode a series of clues that reveal the character’s personality traits.

16. Review
All characters are either dynamic or static, depending on whether they change significantly.
All characters are either round or flat, depending on their depth of emotion and development.
A character can be either a protagonist, an antagonist, or neither, depending on whether they are the central character, against the central character, or neither.

17. Practice
Read each the short story, analyze the characters, and then answer the questions.

18. When Vince got to the party, he was a little bit worried that he couldn't find his friends. Vince wasn't really an awkward person, but he found it a bit awkward to stand around at a party with a bunch of people he hardly knew. Then he bumped into one of the football players, Greg. Greg was a big guy with red hair and he always gave Vince problems. "Hey, Vince? Want a beer?" Vince looked down at his soda. "No thanks, Greg. I've got to drive." Greg walked closer to Vince and puffed out his chest. "C'mon Prince Vince, you're going to turn me down?" Vince didn't have anything against drinking, even though he wasn't of the legal age, but his cousin had died in an alcohol related car accident, and he wouldn't make the same mistake. ”I’m going to have to. Not tonight, Greg," Vince said as he walked passed Greg, noticing that some of his friends had arrived. Greg crushed a beer can in his hand and grunted.

19. 1
Who is the protagonist and who is the antagonist?

20. 2
Is Greg a dynamic character or a static character?

21. 3
Is Vince a dynamic character or a static character?

22. 4
Is Greg a flat character or a round character?

23. 5
Is Vince a round character or a flat character?

24. Answer
Antagonist: Greg Protagonist: Vince

25. Answer
Greg is a static character because he does not make any significant changes in the course of the story.

26. Answer
Vince is a static character because he does not make any significant changes in the course of the story.

27. Answer
Greg is a flat character because he appears as a single-sided bully who shows little depth.

28. Answer
Vince is a round character because he displays multiple character traits and lifelike reasoning. He appears both nervous and confident. He is nervous that he is at the party alone, but he confidently resists Greg's peer pressure. Readers also learn a little bit about his past and why he declines Greg's offer.

29. GIVE 1 / GET 1 GROUP PROTOCOL
ANALYZE THE IMAGE: CONSIDER THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS IMAGE TO THE PLOT OF THE STORY.
IDENTIFY YOUR CHARACTER: EACH GROUP MEMBER WILL TAKE TURNS SHARING OUT THEIR CHARACTER OF CHOICE AND EXPLAIN WHAT LED THEM TO CHOOSE THIS CHARACTER.
PROVIDE AT LEAST 1 PIECE OF EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT YOUR CHARACTER CHOICE FROM THE TEXT.
EVALUATE 1 OF THE CHARACTER TRAITS THAT YOU’VE IDENTIFIED FOR THIS CHARACTER. CONSIDER:
DOES THE EVIDENCE YOU PROVIDED SUFFICIENTLY SUPPORT YOUR CHARACTER’S TRAIT/ACTIONS THROUGHOUT THE NOVEL.
COLLEAGUES HELP BRAINSTORM STRONGER EVIDENCE/RATIONALE.
SELF ASSESS: USING THE CHARACTER ANALYSIS RUBRIC, ASSESS/GRADE WHERE YOUR PAPER CURRENTLY STANDS IF YOU WERE TO TURN IT IN TODAY.
REFLECT: USING YOUR PEERS FEEDBACK, REVISE YOUR ESSAY AND RESUBMIT IT MONDAY, OCTOBER 16TH.