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.