Characterization

Character• Characters: the people in a story

– Human– Animal– Inanimate Object

• Main Character: usually deals with the conflict– Protagonist—The central character in a story– Antagonist—The principal character in

opposition to the protagonist

Protagonist or Antagonist??

Types of Characters• Dynamic Characters:

Characters who undergo changes as the plot unfolds

• Static Characters: Characters who remain the same throughout the story

Types of Characters• Round Characters:

Well-developed characters; many personality traits are revealed by the author

• Flat Character: Characters who are described more simply in a story; they just keep it going!

Direct Characterization• One method used to

develop characters• The author makes

direct statements about a character’s personality and what he/she is like

• The author TELLS the reader

“The wolf was mean and hungry.”

Indirect Characterization• The author SHOWS a character’s traits• 2 indirect methods

– A character’s speech, thoughts, feelings, or actions

– The speech, thoughts, feelings, or actions of OTHER characters

Direct or Indirect?• Little Jimmy might

have looked cute on the outside, but all those who had spent any time with him knew that he was the poster child for the “terrible twos.”

• Direct—TOLD TO US!

Direct or Indirect?• “Nathan in such a

teacher’s pet!” exclaimed Sarah, who was easily bothered by Nathan’s relationship with the teacher.

• The speech of another character

• SHOWED TO US

Direct or Indirect?• Katie had green hair

and always wore combat boots with pink knee socks.

• Physical description• Direct

Direct or Indirect?• “Why don’t my

parents understand me?? I do everything they ask, but they’re still not pleased,” Angela explained to her best friend.

• A character’s speech• SHOWED TO US!!

Direct or Indirect Characterization?

• Eddie did not fear the mailman. He stood watch at the door each day at 3:00, ready to attack if necessary.

• Direct comments about the character

• TOLD TO US!

• Identifies traits of a person. These traits must always be adjectives (modify a noun).

Examples: pretty girl

smart boy

energetic dog

creative artist

Direct vs. IndirectDirect characterization: narrator tells the audience the personality of a character.

Example: The patient boy was wellmannered and did not disobey his mother.

Indirect characterization: narratorshowsshows things that reveal the personalityof a character. This is done throughwords ,actions, thoughts, or anotherperson’s words.

Indirect characterization through words

I am so excited about our vacation to Europe!

Trait: anxious, excited, happy

Indirect characterization through actions

“The man cried.”

Trait: sad, upset, depressed

Indirect characterization through thoughts

Wow! I don’t understand

at all!

Trait: confused, dazed

Indirect characterization through another person’s

wordsI can’t believe Tom did

that! He is so coldhearted!

Trait: mean, coldhearted, ruthless

Character Analysis• Name your character• Describe his/her physical

appearance in detail (clothes, hair, facial expressions, etc.)

• Describe a possible conflict this character might encounter

• What might this character think, say, feel, or do? (His/Her actions or words) x2

• What might another character think or say about your character? X2

• Pretend you are the narrator of a story and that your character is the protagonist. What direct comments might you make about your character? x2

• BE CREATIVE!!!

Why is characterization so important anyway?

• Helps the reader visualize a character

Example: The girl wore a long, black dress withbright red lipstick on her lips.

• Establishes facts about a characterExample: During the lecture, the professor explained that he had originally worked for NASA.

• Helps establish a story’s settingExample: The young girls wore tanmoccasins with deerskin clothing. Theyused natural turquoise to make their ownjewelry.

• Shows the reader how a character might react in a given situation

Example: Johnny was very nervous and timid toapproach Jill about the homecoming dance.