Characters An Introduction to Methods of Characterization Characterization

Characters An Introduction to Methods of Characterization

Characterization n Characterization is the way in which the author reveals a character’s traits or personality. What was general Zaroff’s personality like in “The Most Dangerous Game”?

Direct Characterization n This is when an author directly tells us what the character is like. n Ex- She was a stubborn woman.

Indirect Characterization n A more subtle way of revealing character traits. The writer gives hints, but leaves it to the reader figure out what the character is like. There are five different kinds of indirect characterization.

1. Appearance n What they look like often gives the reader an idea of the characters personality. n Ex- “He was a tall man past middle age, …he had high cheekbones, a sharp-cut nose, the face of a man used to giving orders, the face of an aristocrat.

2. Dialogue n The reader can learn a lot about a character by what they say. n Ex- “He is a Cossack, said the general, and his smile showed red lips and pointed teeth. “So am I. ”

3. Private Thoughts n A characters private thoughts tell the reader a lot about them, especially when the narrator is also the main character (1 st person point of view). n Ex- “It is a sin to write this. ”

4. Actions n Characters reveal their personality through their actions. n Ex- General Zaroff hunts humans.

5. Effect n Finally, the reader learns about a character by the effect their actions have on other characters in the story. n Ex- If other characters are afraid of one character, we can assume he/she is _______.

Character Motivation n Knowing why a character does what they do not only makes the character believable, it also helps us to relate to the character. n Ex-

Conflict n The conflict is basically the problem, or complication in the story. Conflict can be internal or external. What is the conflict in this picture?

Internal Conflict n An internal conflict is usually a decision the character has to make. This is a problem within the character. n Ex- Equality struggles with the conflict of deciding whether to live within the confines of his society, or to be an individual. What is a possible internal conflict this boy is facing?

EXTERNAL CONFLICT n This is usually a conflict that happens outside the character. n Ex. He knew his pursuer was coming

Protagonist n The main character in the story; the one with a conflict. n Ex- Rainsford is the protagonist in “The Most Dangerous Game. ”

Antagonist n The antagonist is the person or force that the protagonist has a conflict with. n n Ex- Rainsford is involved in an ______ conflict with _________. Equality is involved in an ______ conflict with _______.

Flat Charactern n n only one or two traits a one-dimensional character usually not the a protagonist n Ex- In “The Most Dangerous Game”, Zaroff is a flat character.

Round Characters n n n many character traits multi-dimensional usually protagonists are round characters n Ex- In “The Most Dangerous Game”, Rainsford is a round character.

Static Characters n n n stays the same over time does not change over the course of a story rarely the protagonist n Ex- Zaroff is a static character.

Dynamic Characters n n n changes throughout the course of a story usually experiences things that make them change protagonists are Dynamic Characters n Ex- Equality is a dynamic character.