What is a Character Analysis?

What is a Character Analysis?

What is a Character Analysis?

The character analysis definition could be stated as follows:

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• A character analysis is an exploration of the traits, personality, and characteristics of a character within a story.

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A character analysis typically examines the conflicts a character faces and the character's overall role within the story. It also considers the motivation of the character, as well as what the character says to others.

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Purpose of a Character Analysis

• A character analysis aims to garner a deeper understanding of the story and the interconnections between the various characters.

• Symbolism, foreshadowing, and other literary devices can lie within the characters.

• Therefore, creating a detailed character analysis can provide a clearer understanding of the author's intentions.

Purpose of a Character Analysis

• Some literary works have many characters that are hard to keep track of.

• Character analysis can provide structure for these dense works.

• It allows the reader to look closer at details that may have been overlooked otherwise.

• Performing a character analysis is a valuable tool when analyzing the interconnectedness of a literary work.

• The antagonist is the character or force in the story that is at odds with the protagonist.

• The antagonist causes conflict within the plot.

• Most, but not all, villains are the antagonists.

Antagonist

Different Types of Characters

• The protagonist is the lead character within the story.

• They are responsible for moving the plot of the story forward.

Protagonist

Different Types of Characters

• Minor characters are less important in the plot and may fade in and out of the storyline.

• They may have fewer verbal lines and be static characters.

Minor Characters

Different Types of Characters

• Major characters are main characters that play an important function in the plot.

Major Characters

Different Types of Characters

• Static characters do not change throughout the plot.

• They remain the same throughout conflict resolution.

Static Characters

Different Types of Characters

• Dynamic characters change throughout the plot.

• Antagonist and protagonist characters are often dynamic characters.

• They learn lessons throughout the development of conflict.

Dynamic Characters

Different Types of Characters

• Stock characters are filler characters that are placed to add volume to the number of people in a novel.

• An example would be a band geek.

Stock Characters

Different Types of Characters

• A foil character serves to expose something intrinsic in another character.

• They often provide a counterpoint to highlight a major character's traits to emphasize how serious the story's hero is.

Foil Characters

Different Types of Characters

Conflict in Character Analysis

• The conflict in a story is the main source of hardship for the characters.

• It is what keeps the plot moving and is often the cause for a character's growth.

• It is an essential component of a character analysis.

• External conflicts involve the character and outside forces.

• It could be nature, technology, an animal, society, or another character.

External Conflicts

Conflict in Character Analysis

• Internal conflicts happen within the character.

• These can be moral, religious, or any other type of internal struggle within a character.

• An example is a character's struggle with mental health.

Internal Conflicts

Conflict in Character Analysis

How to Do a Character Analysis

How is one expected to do a character analysis? There is a structure for conducting a character analysis.

Character Analysis - Step 1

The character analysis should begin with:

1. The title and author of the story

2. The physical description and overall personality of the character

3. Describe any mannerisms and include all background information.

4. The writer should mention what type of character the character is in this portion as well.

Character Analysis - Step 2

The middle portion of the character analysis should:

1. Contain the character's role within the story

2. Include any conflict that involves the character

3. Describe if the conflict is internal or external

Character Analysis - Step 3

The final portion of the character analysis should:

1. Include the personal growth of the character over the plot.

2. Analyze how the character is different by the end of the story due to the conflict.

3. Some minor characters may be unchanged, but major characters will usually transform.​

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a factor to be considered when analyzing a character?

• The author's previous works of literature

• The character's physical attributes

• The character's relationship with others

• Conflicts that character faces

Multiple Choice

A character's conflict in a story:

• creates the struggle the character endures

• is an essential factor when performing a character analysis

• shows how the character may grow or change.

• All of these answers are correct

Multiple Choice

A protagonist in the story is

• the opposing force in the story

• a flat character who remains unchanged

• the main character who experiences conflict

• not essential to the story line

Multiple Choice

Which of the items below is NOT an example of an external conflict?

• Person versus person

• Person versus society

• Person versus themself

• Person versus nature