Characterization. Literary Terms.

CharacterA character is a person or an animal that takes part in the action of a literary work.

Character• Flat characters are one

dimensional and superficial; they can be described in a single sentence.

• Round characters are complex and multidimensional, like real people.

Character• A Static Character

changes veA Dynamic Character changes as a result of the events of the story.

• ry little or not at all through the literary work.

• A character’s motivation is any forceStock characters are predictable stereotypes of people.

• (i.e.: love, fear, jealousy) that drives the character to behave in a particular way.

• Characterization is the way a writer reveals the personality of a character.

• Characterization is how the author develops and uses the characters to tell a story.

• Characterization is often the most important aspect of a story

• The protagonist is the main character in a story. The story often revolves around this character.

• The antagonist is the force that or character who opposes the protagonist.

• Minor characters are present, generally named and have a role that in some way highlights the protagonist.

Can you name some famous Protagonists that are found in literature?

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Antagonist: The character who frustrates, deceives, or works against the main character.

Methods of CharacterizationDirect Characterization

The narrator makes direct comments about the character. i.e. “She adores kittens.”

We learn about the character through his or her speech, thoughts, feelings, actions, physical appearance and through other characters’ thoughts, feelings, and speech about her.

References :

Erin Salona : Short Story Unit, Carmel High School , Carmel Indiana.

Pato – Patito , Proffesor de Ingles at Liceo Cultural Britanico.

Ximenia Gomez , Literature Elements of Literature. English teacher at liceo juan morales Gonzales.