The Collector by John Fowles CHARACTER STUDY Characters

The Collector by John Fowles CHARACTER STUDY

Characters How do literary characters differ from real people? What elements are characters made of? What kinds of characters do you know? What does “hero” mean?

Types of Characters Central character Protagonist Antagonist Villain Minor/seconda ry character

Character Dynamics Static character does not evolve, does not respond to the events with any changes. Dynamic character experiences inner growth, changes (for the good or for the bad) as a result of involvement in the action, or contemplations, or interaction with other characters.

Character Dynamics Round characters are complex and tend to develop, but can also remain static (not undergo a major change). Flat characters are two-dimensional and usually static.

Flat (underdeveloped) character A flat character is not necessarily the author’s failure. A flat character can appear if he/she is not the focus of the story or because the story does not belong to the realistic mode of literature. Example: allegoric stories, fables, tales, symbolic narratives, philosophical stories, etc.

Flat Character: A Sidekick or A Foil Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson

Flat Character: Stock • Stock character (a recognizable type) Examples: • stock villain • mad scientist • damsel in distress • nice old lady

Flat Character: Type exemplifies a personality trait or an emotion (predominantly, in non-realistic literature), such as Penelope in Greek mythology, the embodiment of conjugal fidelity.

Flat Character: Caricature: A satirical exaggeration of certain features; grotesque. Example: Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift

Character Dynamics: Motivation Characters’ actions and changes within characters occur as a result of particular reasons behind their behaviour. Motivation is the driving force behind a character’s actions which the reader needs to pinpoint in order to understand the character (understanding does not mean

CHARACTERS: QUESTIONS 1. Are Miranda and Frederick flat or round 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. characters? How does Fowles make Frederick’s and Miranda’s accounts sound “real”? Miranda is talented, why is she unable to draw either Frederick or GP? Is physical appearance important in the novel? Is Frederick “asexual”? What are his motivations? Explain your view. 6. Why is Miranda’s “speaking part” longer? Who are the minor characters? How would the novel be different without them?