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. Indirect

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

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

Indirect characterization: narrator

showsshows 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

words

I 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.