Character and Characterization Part II (Character Types)

CHARACTERS and CHARACTERIZATION

SUMMARY OF CHARACTERS

 Protagonist—the story revolves around the character.

 Round Character—one who is multi-dimensional and complex.

 Dynamic Character—one who changes over the course of the story.

 Antagonist—the character who acts against the protagonist.

 Flat Character—one who is not very developed.

 Static Character—one who stays the same throughout the story.

 Stereo-typed Character- one who is used to make fun of a specific

group of people based on assumptions

 Parallel Characters-Two characters who share similar traits

 Foil Characters-Two characters who have opposite traits which causes

conflicts between the characters

Characters

A character is a person, animal, or other creature in a story.  The main character is the character that the writer focuses on the most.  The main character has to solve the story’s problem.

Characters have traits that tell the reader what kind of person they are.  A character may be honest, hardworking, shy, or sneaky, for example.  When the character deals with the problem of the story, he or she may have to change in order to move toward a resolution.  For example, a shy character may have to become brave to solve the problem.

Open Ended

What is a character?

Open Ended

I like characters who are...

ROUND CHARACTERS

 A round character is one that is multi-

dimensional just like real people are.

 These characters are complex and we

get to see a glimpse of their
complexity in the novel.

 Usually your protagonist, and often

your antagonist, are round characters.

•Round characters have
various characteristics
or traits.

•A round character can
change or grow. This
makes them a dynamic
character also.

•Readers see more than
one side of a round
character.

Open Ended

Who do you think is a round character? Why?

DYNAMIC CHARACTERS

 A dynamic character is one that changes

over the course of the story.

 It may be a simple shift in attitude or a

complete turn-around.

 The character might be wiser or might

change his path in life altogether.

 The change might not be for the better.

EXAMPLES OF DYNAMIC CHARACTERS

 Anakin Skywalker is lured to the

dark side and becomes Darth Vader.

Shrek learns to love and let others
into his life. He is no longer a loner.

Multiple Choice

According to the video, what are some of the factors that can make a dynamic character change?

• Trauma

• Decisions

• Mistakes

• Relationships

• All of these

SECONDARY CHARACTERS

 In a novel, you are also introduced to many secondary or minor

characters.

 These characters still play a role in the development of the story and

have a purpose, but their role is smaller than the major characters.
Some examples of a secondary character’s purpose:

Give background information

Showcase the main character’s personality through their interactions

Help the character solve the conflict

FLAT CHARACTER

 A flat character is one that often

fits into a stereotype.

 The character is not very

developed.

 We only see one side of the flat

character. Few traits shown.

 Usually, the flat characters are the

secondary characters.

Open Ended

Give one reason from the video as to why authors use flat characters?

•Static characters are one
dimensional—readers see
only one side.

•Static characters stay the
same and do not develop.

•Readers learn little about
this character.

•Static characters are flat
characters.

​Static Characters

STEREO-TYPED

-usually play flat and static characters

-a general perception of a person based on the society's beliefs

-usually wrong and it is meant to be humorous or offending

i.e all Italians are in the mob

i.e all blondes are dumb

i.e all Hindus own doughnut stores

Foil character

• A foil is a character that shows qualities that are in contrast with the qualities of another character.

• The objective is to highlight the traits of the other character.

•  Foil characters are great at pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of their counterpart’s personality and motivations. 

FOIBLE

 A character’s flaw

i.e Homer’s flaw is that he is

dumb

i.e Sponge Bob Square Pants’ flaw is that he is

naïve/clueless

Poll

How confident do you feel in your knowledge about characterization.

• Very Confident

• Confident

• Unconfident

• Very Unconfident