Characters

TYPES OF CHARACTERS

• Major or central - the plot and resolution of conflict revolves around these characters.


• Minor characters - serve to complement the major characters and help move the plot events forward.


• Dynamic - A dynamic character is a person who changes over time, usually as a result of resolving a central conflict or facing a major crisis.


• Static - A static character is someone who does not change over time; his or her personality does not transform or evolve.


• Round - A rounded character is anyone who has a complex personality; he or she is often portrayed as a conflicted and contradictory person.


• Flat - A flat character is the opposite of a round character. This literary personality is notable for one kind of personality trait or characteristic.


• Protagonist - The protagonist is the central person in a story, and is often referred to as the story's main character. He or she (or they) is faced with a conflict that must be resolved. The protagonist may not always be admirable (e.g. an anti-hero); nevertheless s/he must command involvement on the part of the reader, or better yet, empathy.


• Antagonist - The antagonist is the character(s) (or situation) that represents the opposition against which the protagonist must contend. In other words, the antagonist is an obstacle that the protagonist must overcome.


• Anti-Hero -A major character, usually the protagonist, who lacks conventional nobility of mind, and who struggles for values not deemed universally admirable.


• Foil - A foil is any character (usually the antagonist or an important supporting character) whose personal qualities contrast with another character (usually the protagonist). By providing this contrast, we get to know more about the other character.

Ten Ways in which a Character Can Be Revealed

• What s/he says


• By how s/he says it.


• By psychological description


• By physical description.


• By probing what s/he thinks.


• By what s/he does.


• By what others say about him or her.


• By his or her environment.


• By her reaction to others.


• By his reaction to himself