Transcript Character
Identifying the Elements of Literature: Character
Student Notes English I Mrs. Nagy
Character (definition)
•
A character is a person or sometimes an animal or other being in a story (short story, novel, play, poem, movie, etc.).
Types of Characters
• Round • Flat • Dymamic • Static • Foil • Protagonist • Antagonist
Types of Characters Defined
• •
Round Character -
a round character is fully developed, meaning we know lots about the character; readers may even be able to anticipate the actions of a round character if the characterization is well done and consistent.
Flat Character -
we know very little about a flat character; flat characters are not meant to serve as main characters. They serve as necessary elements in plot or as elements of the setting.
Types of Characters Defined
• •
Dynamic Character -
a dynamic character is one who changes by the end of the story, learning something that changes him or her in a permanent way.
Static Character -
static characters do not change; they are the same person at the end of the story as they were at the beginning.
Types of Characters Defined
• • •
Foil Character -
a foil character is in most ways opposite to the main character. The purpose of the foil character is to emphasize the traits of the main character by contrast.
Protagonist -
the main character of the story or the character you are “rooting for” to succeed (meet the goal or solve the conflict). The protagonist is not always a “nice guy” or hero.
Antagonist -
the force that works against the protagonist; the antagonist does not have to be a person (remember from conflict that forces of nature, a society, or even a flaw of the protagonist can be an antagonist).
Types of Characters Grouped
• Typically your main character will be… – The protagonist – Round – Dynamic • Other major characters will be… – Foils – The antagonist – Round – Static • Minor characters will be… – Flat – Static
Characterization
• Definition - the process by which the author reveals the character ’s personality or what the character is like, who he or she is.
Types of Characterization
• •
Direct Characterization –
the author directly states or tells the reader what the characters are like. •
Example –
The girl was very shy, but also very beautiful, and therefore, always attracting attention.
Indirect Characterization –
the author does not directly state what the character is like and the reader has to decode a series of clues that reveal the character ’s personality traits.
Indirect Characterization
•
How do we know what clues to look for? Remember SATDO!
• S – What the character
s
ays • A – The character’s
a
ppearance or environment • T – The character’s
t
houghts • D – What the character
d
oes • O – What
o
ther characters say about the character
How do we use SATDO?
• As you read more and more complex texts, you will use SATDO clues to develop a deeper understanding of characters. • If you actually pause to consider each of these things about a character, you can learn quite a bit about them!
• If you are asked a question in which you have to identify examples of character traits, SATDO is very helpful.