define and provide examples of types of characters an author can include in a story Different Types of Characters Protagonist Antagonist Major Character Minor Character Dynamic Character Static Character ID: 699784
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Slide1
Types of Characters
Goal: to
define and provide examples of types of characters an author can include in a story.Slide2
Different Types of Characters
Protagonist
Antagonist
Major Character
Minor Character
Dynamic Character
Static Character
Stereotypical or Stock Character
Foil
Round Character
Flat Character
Anti-Hero
Tragic HeroSlide3
Protagonist
the main character in a story or play
the character the story revolves around
doesn’t have to be a
“good guy
” or even particularly likeableSlide4
Antagonist
the force that opposes or works against the protagonist
doesn‘t necessarily have to be a “bad guy”
can be a group
of characters, institution,
nature, or a concept that stands
in,
or
represents, opposition to the protagonistSlide5
Major & Minor Characters
MAJOR CHARACTERS:
Most
of the story’s action happens around the major character(s).
These
major characters are generally complex, round characters.
MINOR CHARACTERS:
A
ll
the other characters in the story who are of lesser importance.
Minor
characters generally serve a purpose as a plot device or as part of the setting, and once that purpose has been served, the reader generally does not expect to encounter them
again
.Slide6
Round Character
like a real person
behaves and speaks in the way a human would be expected to
changes
throughout the story
capable of experiencing or showing contradictory emotions or actions
shows emotional and psychological development throughout the storySlide7
Flat Character
shows no mental or emotional development throughout the course of the story
may exhibit strong defining characteristics, but is not complex like a round character
two-dimensional and
predictable – often a stereotypeSlide8
How to tell if a character is round
or
flat
:
As a reader, judge whether or not the character is round or flat by trying to write down characteristics of the character.
Answer the question: What do you know about the character? If your list is long, with many characteristics, then the character is round. If your list is short, or there are not many characteristics at all, then the character is flat. Slide9
Stereotypical/Stock
Character
a special
kind of flat character who is instantly recognizable to most
readers
they are ‘stock’ or ‘typecast’ or ‘
stereotypical
’ characters
Examples
:
the brave and handsome hero
the damsel in distress
the old witch
the quirky sidekick
They are usually not main characters nor are they developed in the story. They usually fulfill background roles.Slide10
Static Character
Static
= not moving or changing
In
order for a character to be considered a static character, the character must remain basically the same throughout the entire story.
The character does not undergo any internal changes Slide11
Dynamic
A
dynamic
character is a character that undergoes
an internal
(psychological) change sometime between the beginning and end of the story.
The change in the character is usually
important to
the story itself. Slide12
Static or Dynamic?
The key word when dealing with the difference between static and dynamic characters is
change
.
The type of change, though, is specific. We are only concerned with
internal changes —changes which occur within the character.
Internal changes
include a change in his/her
personality
,
a change in his/her
outlook
on life, a change in his/her
values
, or it could be an
overall change
in the nature of the character.Slide13
Static or Dynamic?
Look closely at your character at the beginning of the story.
Ask these three questions:
How does the character feel about him/her/itself?
How does the character act towards others?
What is the character’s goal?
Examine your character throughout the story and at the end of the story. Have the answers to the questions changed
? If so, the character is dynamic.Slide14Slide15
Foil
special
kind of character who is used to enhance another character through contrast
i.e
. as opposites they highlight qualities of a central character
Examples
include:
-
the mean step-sisters contrast to Cinderella’s
character
- Draco Malfoy’s cowardice contrasts to Harry Potter’s bravery
They are not
main characters
nor are they developed in the
story
They help us learn more about another character or highlight an important aspect of a story.Slide16
Anti-Hero
doesn’t possess qualities of a traditional hero (brave, strong, intelligent, generous, etc.)
often more relatable to the reader, because the anti-hero is obviously human and flawed
at some point in the story, the anti-hero redeems him/herself and
saves
the day.Slide17
Tragic Hero
The basic
characteristics of a tragic hero explained by Aristotle, including:
Hamartia
– the
tragic flaw that causes downfall of a hero
Hubris
– excessive
pride
The
hero experiences a reversal of
fate (from fortune to downfall)
The tragic hero cannot avoid his
destiny,
usually due to
fault of his
hubris
The audience feels pity or sympathy
for the protagonist after his
downfallMore on this later – keep this type of character in mind when we begin reading Things Fall Apart.