Literature 101: Characterization

Literature 101 is a ten-part course based on 10 Literary Concepts Every Reader Should Know.

WEEK 6: CHARACTERIZATION

A character is a person who populates a literary work, and an author uses characterization to show the character to the reader.

The main character, hero or heroine, is called the protagonist. The character (or characters) who oppose the protagonist is called the antagonist. Generally, the opposition of the protagonist and the antagonist constitutes the main conflict of the story.

A static character does not change throughout the work, and the reader’s knowledge of the character does not grow. A dynamic character changes as a result of the plot. Flat characters have just a few qualities or traits and are generally not developed. Round characters are developed and complex characters that have some of the inconsistencies and internal conflicts found in real people.

DISCUSSION

The best, most beloved characters in fiction are almost always protagonists that are dynamic and round. Think Elizabeth Darcy, Hamlet, and Scout Finch. However, those flat, static characters play their part too.

Characters and characterization can make or break a work for me. If the characters are done well, I can forgive a lot of other mediocre items in the plot or setting or writing. Of all of the literary terms readers should be aware of, I think character is the one that gets the most attention.

EXAMPLES

Here is a character list from a book I just finished.

THE THIEF, by Megan Whalen Turner

Eugenides (Gen) – protagonist, round, dynamic
Magus – antagonist, round, dynamic
Sophos – round, dynamic
Pol – round, static
Ambiades – antagonist, round, static
King of Sounis – flat, static
Innkeeper’s wife – flat, dynamic
Queen of Attolia – flat, static
Soldiers of Attolia – flat, static
Queen of Eddis – flat, static
Soldiers of Eddis – flat, static
Secretary of War – flat, dynamic

HOMEWORK

1. Consider a book from your recently read pile or the book that you are currently reading.
2. Make a list of every character from the book that you can think of.
3. Using the concepts above, try to categorize each of the characters.
4. Consider the balance of the types of characters, and how each character plays its part to move the part forward.

Feel free to post your thoughts on the homework in the comments below. I’d be curious to hear which books or stories you used.

_________________________________

That concludes our study of character. Make sure to check in next Wednesday for Week 7: Tone. But first, chime in with your thoughts on characterization in the comments.

You May Also Like:

1. Literature 101: Point of View & Narrator
2. 10 Literary Concepts Every Reader Should Know
3. Literature 101: Plot

Tagged as: Literary Terms, Literature 101