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Unit 2: CharactersAnalyze how complex characters develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or theme of a text.

+Character Development 2 types of characterization (how authors create

characters): 1. Direct: author tells us directly about character or

his/her motives Ex: “Enrique’s active imagination often got him into

trouble.”

2. Indirect: author tells us indirectly about character by: Describing physical appearance Describing actions, thoughts, and speech Other character’s reactions or to character or words

about character Ex: “Mama, when did Dee ever have any friends?”

A character's traits are their qualities (ex: bravery)

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Round characters: complex, highly developed and changing; usually main charactersEx: Harry Potter

Flat characters: defined by 1 or 2 traits; don’t grow/change; serve as minor charactersEx: Mrs. Weasley

Character Development

+Character Behavior Motivation: reasons behind characters actions

Ex: In “Les Miserables,” Jean Val Jean gets in trouble for stealing bread so he could feed his sister's children. Knowing the motivation might change your opinion of the character.

Dynamic Characters: change and grow as plot progresses

Static characters: remain the same