Character in FictionCharacter in Fiction

DefinitionDefinition

CharactersCharacters: the : the people in the people in the storystory

CharacterizationCharacterization: : the process by the process by which the writer which the writer makes the makes the character seem character seem real to the readerreal to the reader

Character Types: Character Types: Flat and Round Flat and Round

Flat characterFlat character– Embodies 1 or 2 Embodies 1 or 2

qualities, easily qualities, easily summarized;summarized;

– Not psychologically Not psychologically complex and thus complex and thus easily accessible to easily accessible to the reader;the reader;

– Can be stock or Can be stock or stereotypestereotype

a character who a character who possesses the possesses the expected traits of a expected traits of a group rather than group rather than being an individualbeing an individual

Choose a Movie- You try it!

Character Types:Character Types:Flat and Round Flat and Round Round Round

characters--characters--– Complex and Complex and

multi-dimensionalmulti-dimensional– Inconsistent and Inconsistent and

unpredictableunpredictable– Hard to summarize Hard to summarize

and understandand understand– Display internal Display internal

conflicts found in conflicts found in real peoplereal people

The Shawshank Redemption, Tim

Robbins and Morgan Freeman

Character PresentationCharacter Presentation

Direct (telling)Direct (telling)– The writer tells what kind of person The writer tells what kind of person

the character is.the character is. Indirect (showing)Indirect (showing)

– The writer presents the character in The writer presents the character in action and allows the reader to infer action and allows the reader to infer what kind of person the character is.what kind of person the character is.

Character Behavior—Character Behavior—Do They Change or Do They Change or

Not?Not? Static characterStatic character

– Doesn’t change Doesn’t change as a result of as a result of what happens to what happens to him in the story;him in the story;

– The reader’s The reader’s knowledge of him knowledge of him does not grow.does not grow.

Character BehaviorCharacter Behavior

Dynamic Dynamic charactercharacter– Undergoes some Undergoes some

kind of change as kind of change as a result of action a result of action in the plot;in the plot;

– Must be a Must be a substantive substantive change rather change rather than a mood than a mood change.change.

Change or No Change or No Change. . .Change. . . A character must be A character must be

– MotivatedMotivated Reader is offered reasons for how the Reader is offered reasons for how the

characters behave, what they say, and characters behave, what they say, and what decisions they make;what decisions they make;

– PlausiblePlausible Action by a character that seems Action by a character that seems

reasonable, given the motivations reasonable, given the motivations presentedpresented

Characterisation comes Characterisation comes though what characters…though what characters…

saysay dodo

Characters become real life breathing people to our reader if we describe decisions they make, what they say and how they say it.

Sometimes a writer will reveal also the thoughts which run through a character’s mind.

Top Tips for creating Top Tips for creating

characterisationcharacterisation..Tip OneTip OneUse an unusual name. Use Use an unusual name. Use

description, alliteration, description, alliteration, nicknames.nicknames.

Example

Biscuits was too large for the t-shirt he wore. Bits of him bulged out in unlikely places. But he didn’t seem to care. His round, red face grinned at me. “Hiyah!” said Biscuits, thrusting his pudgy hand our towards mine.

Contrasting Contrasting characterscharactersTip TwoTip Two

A simple contrast is most effective. One character could A simple contrast is most effective. One character could be gentle, the other harsh.be gentle, the other harsh.

How do the characters in the text below contrast?How do the characters in the text below contrast?

Example

The Grabber stood blocking their way. Tom hesitated, then turned on his heal and rushed back up the corridor screaming. Victor picked up the whalebone wand. He faced the Grabber and without saying a word gazed deep into its eyes.

Using what characters Using what characters do.do.

Tip ThreeTip ThreeWe should be able to describe our character’s feelings by what We should be able to describe our character’s feelings by what

they do. Take care not to write over simplified sentences they do. Take care not to write over simplified sentences such as such as He was sadHe was sad. . He was angry.He was angry.

ExampleGrandma gently took the box from its secret place in the wardrobe. Immediately her eyes began to prickle. She opened the lid carefully and took in the familiar scent.

Using what a character Using what a character says.says.

Tip FourTip FourDialogue. To show fear h-h-hesitate, um, er.Dialogue. To show fear h-h-hesitate, um, er.

Show power, confidence. Begin sentences with imperative Show power, confidence. Begin sentences with imperative verbs (bossy verbs) Or I, I , I.verbs (bossy verbs) Or I, I , I.

Use synonyms for said.Use synonyms for said.

Example

The old king stood up and gazed around the room. Everyone fell silent. “I will not wait,” he roared. “I must have porridge! And I want it now!”

CharacterizationCharacterization

The method used by a writer to The method used by a writer to develop a characterdevelop a character– Show the character’s appearanceShow the character’s appearance– Display the character’s actionsDisplay the character’s actions– Reveal the character’s thoughtsReveal the character’s thoughts– Let the character speakLet the character speak– Get the reactions of othersGet the reactions of others

– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IYRC7g2ICghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IYRC7g2ICg

Character AnalysisCharacter Analysis

Physical. Physical. What does the character What does the character look like? How do the character’s look like? How do the character’s physical attributes play a role in physical attributes play a role in the story? How does the character the story? How does the character feel about his or her physical feel about his or her physical attributes? How does the character attributes? How does the character change physically during the story? change physically during the story? How do these changes affect the How do these changes affect the character’s experience? character’s experience?

Character AnalysisCharacter Analysis

Intellectual.Intellectual. How would you How would you describe this character’s intelligence? describe this character’s intelligence? What does this character know? How What does this character know? How does this character’s intellect does this character’s intellect compare to others in the story? Is compare to others in the story? Is this character smart enough to thrive this character smart enough to thrive in the world in which he or she lives? in the world in which he or she lives? What does this character learn as the What does this character learn as the story develops? story develops?

Character AnalysisCharacter Analysis

Emotional.Emotional. How does this How does this character feel most of the time? character feel most of the time? How do his or her feelings change How do his or her feelings change throughout the story? How does throughout the story? How does this character feel about himself or this character feel about himself or herself? When faced with herself? When faced with challenges in the story, what challenges in the story, what emotions come up for this emotions come up for this character? character?

Character AnalysisCharacter Analysis

Social. Social. How does this character get How does this character get along with other characters in the along with other characters in the story? Who does this character story? Who does this character choose for friends and why does this choose for friends and why does this character choose them? Where does character choose them? Where does this character stand in the social this character stand in the social order? How does this character’s order? How does this character’s social standing affect events in the social standing affect events in the story? story?

Character AnalysisCharacter Analysis

Philosophical.Philosophical. What does this What does this character believe about the way life character believe about the way life is? What are these beliefs based is? What are these beliefs based on? How do these beliefs affect the on? How do these beliefs affect the choices this character makes? How choices this character makes? How do those beliefs change throughout do those beliefs change throughout the story? Do others in the story the story? Do others in the story share these beliefs? share these beliefs?

SourcesSources

Compiled from:Compiled from: www.odessa.edu/dept/english/

dsmith/characte.ppt www.primaryresources.co.uk/

english/powerpoints/Cha... hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/phillie/English/

reading.../Character%20Traits.ppt