CHARACTERIZATION

THE METH

OD AN AUTHOR USES

TO REV

EAL C

HARACTERS AND THEIR VARIOUS TR

AITS

AND PERSONALIT

IES

CHARACTER A person, animal or inanimate object portrayed in a literary

work.

Character Types a. Round – multiple traits b. Flat- 1 or 2 traits c. Dynamic –change w/i story d. Static – do not change Protagonist- main character Antagonist-character who opposes the protagonist

CHARACTERIZATIONThe method an author uses to reveal characters and their various traits and personalities.

As “good” readers, we need to try to understand everything we read. That means we should also understand the author’s purpose in writing the work.

It’s easier to understand a story if you “know” the characters.

CHARACTERIZATION CAN BE MANIFESTED IN FOUR WAYS:

ThoughtActionDialogue

Narration

Indirect Characterization

Direct Characterization

INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION THROUGH THOUGHT The youth was in a little trance of astonishment.

So they were at last going to fight. On the morrow, perhaps, there would be a battle, and he would be in it. For a time he was obliged to labor to make himself believe. He could not accept with assurance an omen that he was about to mingle in one of those great affairs of the earth.

What is Henry thinking about? What personality traits are revealed to the reader in what Henry in thinking ?

Stephen Crane The Red Badge of Courage

INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION THROUGH ACTION “I was about to speak when she sat up alertly and

said Sh!” in a warning voice. A subdued impassioned murmur was audible in the room beyond, and Miss Baker leaned forward unashamed, trying to hear.”

What do Miss Baker’s actions tell us about her? What trait regarding her personality is revealed?

F. Scott Fitzgerald The Great Gatsby

INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION THROUGH DIALOGUE

“…the butler left the porch and Daisy seized upon the momentary interruption and leaned toward me.

“I’ll tell you a family secret,” she whispered enthusiastically. “It’s about the butler’s nose. Do you want to hear about the butler’s nose?’”What can we say about Daisy’s personality based on what she says?What trait is revealed?

F. Scott Fitzgerald The Great Gatsby

DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION THROUGH NARRATION

In Maycomb County, it was easy to tell when someone bathed regularly, as opposed to yearly lavations: Mr. Ewell had a scalded look; as if an overnight soaking had deprived him of protective layers of dirt, his skin appeared to be sensitive to the elements. Mayella looked as if she tried to keep clean, and I was reminded of the row of red geraniums in the Ewell yard.

What information about Mr. Elwell is the reader given? Of Mayella?

WHY DOES THIS MATTER TO US? As “good” readers, we need to try to

understand everything we read.

That means we should also understand the author’s purpose in writing the work.

It’s easier to understand a story if you “know” the characters.

Physically fit, food issues

Paranoid,

Envious

and sleepeating

Liz Lemon

New York third-wave feminist, college educated, single and pretending to be happy about it, over- scheduled…

Dialogue

Nar

rati

on

Action

Thought

How can I get everyone to like me?

“You know who

else was married?

Ted Bundy!”

“I want toGo there.”

Low Self-Esteem, Seeks

Acceptance

Exactly what it

says

Direct Characteriz

ation

Indirect Characteriz

ation

Physically fit, food issues

Paranoid,

EnviousLiz Lemon

Low Self-Esteem, Seeks

Acceptance

New York third-wave feminist,

college educated, single and pretending

to be happy about it, over-

scheduled

Character

Protagonist or

Antagonist

Round or Flat

EvidenceFrom Text

(Is proof DIRECT OR INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION…if indirect, is it through THOUGHT, ACTION, DIALOGUE)

Characteristic

of Persona

lity or

Physical Trait

Dynamicor

Static

Why?

SYLVIA

MRS. TILLEY

ORNITHOLOGIST

Task: Complete the table, being sure to address ALL headings with accurate information.

L.F.2.3.1 Explain, interpret, compare, describe, analyze, and/or evaluate character in a variety of fiction:Note: Character may also be called narratoror speaker.

•• the actions, motives, dialogue, emotions/ feelings, traits, and relationships between characters within fictional text•• the relationship between characters and other components of a text•• the development of complex characters and their roles and functions within a text

Character

Protagonist or

Antagonist

Round or Flat

EvidenceFrom Text

(Is proof DIRECT OR INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION…if indirect, is it through THOUGHT, ACTION, DIALOGUE)

Characteristic of

Personality or

Physical Trait

Dynamicor

StaticWhy?

SYLVIAProtagonist

Round She was not often in the woods so late as this, and it made her feel as if she were a part of the gray shadows and the moving leaves. INDIRECT-THOUGHT

She did not dare to look boldly at the tall young man, who carried a gun over his shoulder, but she came out of her bush and again followed the cow, while he walked alongside. INDIRECT- ACTION

She had never seen anybody so charming and delightful; the woman's heart, asleep in the child, was vaguely thrilled by a dream of love.

“…this lonely country child.” DIRECT

Nature-loving(characteristic of personality)

Shy (characteristic of personality)

Smitten (characteristic of personality)

Lonely (physical trait)

Dynamic

Remembers how they watched the sea and the morning come in together and realizes nature’s safety is more important than her own happiness. Her love for the Ornithologist is replaced with her protective feelings for the White Heron.

MRS. TILLEY Flat the busy old grandmother

Busy Old

Static She does not grow in the s.s.

ORNITHOLOGISTAntagonist

Round "I have been hunting for some birds," the stranger said kindly, "and I have lost my way, and need a friend very much. Don't be afraid," he added gallantly.

He was sure from the way the shy little girl looked once or twice yesterday that she had at least seen the white heron, and now she must really be made to tell. INDIRECT- THOUGHT

Chivalrous

Domineering (characteristic of personality)

Static He does not change in the s.s.