Character Interactions

1
Character Interactions
Feature Menu
The Protagonist The Antagonist Conflict Subordinat
e Characters Dynamic Characters Static
Characters Motivation Practice
2
The Protagonist
The protagonist is the main character and the
focus of readers attention. A good protagonist

• is complicated and contradictory, like a real
  person

• has both strengths and weaknesses

End of Section
3
The Antagonist
The antagonist is the force that blocks the
protagonist from getting what he or she wants.
The antagonist may be

• another character

• a nonhuman force

End of Section
4
Conflict
Conflict is a struggle that occurs when the
protagonist must find a way to overcome or get
around the antagonist.
Conflicts drive plots, create suspense, and
intrigue readers.
5
Conflict
External conflict occurs between a character and
some outside force, such as

• another character or group of characters

• the society the protagonist must live in

• a force or feature of nature

6
Conflict
Internal conflict occurs when a character
struggles with opposing needs, desires, or
emotions. The character may

• have to make a difficult decision

• wrestle with fear or worry

7
Conflict
Quick Check
What kind of conflict does Jing-mei face?
And after seeing my mothers disappointed face
again, something inside me began to die. I hated
the tests, the raised hopes and failed
expectations. Before going to bed that night, I
looked in the mirror above the bathroom sink and
when I saw only my face staring backand that it
would always be this ordinary faceI began to
cry. Such a sad, ugly girl! I made high-pitched
noises like a crazed animal, trying to scratch
out the face in the mirror. from Two Kinds by
Amy Tan
End of Section
8
Conflict
Quick Check
What kind of conflict does Jing-mei face?
And after seeing my mothers disappointed face
again, something inside me began to die. I hated
the tests, the raised hopes and failed
expectations. Before going to bed that night, I
looked in the mirror above the bathroom sink and
when I saw only my face staring backand that it
would always be this ordinary faceI began to
cry. Such a sad, ugly girl! I made high-pitched
noises like a crazed animal, trying to scratch
out the face in the mirror. from Two Kinds by
Amy Tan
Internal wants to please mother but fails
External mother constantly tests and judges her
9
Subordinate Characters
Subordinate characters populate the protagonists
world. Their relationship with the protagonist
helps

• reveal the protagonists character

• develop the plot and add complexity to the story

End of Section
10
Dynamic Characters
Dynamic characters change or grow as a result of
the storys action. They

• are main characters

• gain a new understanding, make an important
  decision, or take a crucial action

• help reveal the meaning of the story

End of Section
Believable changes
11
Static Characters
Static characters are usually exactly the same as
the story ends as they were when it began. They

• are almost always subordinate characters

• support the plot without distracting readers from
  the main actionthe protagonists conflict and
  growth

End of Section
12
Motivation
Writers make characters believable by revealing
what motivates them to act as they do. A
characters motivation

• is based on his or her needs or conflicts

• reveals why characters act, feel, and think as
  they do

• must usually be inferred from clues in the story

13
Motivation
Quick Check
What motivates Jing-mei?
I looked at my reflection, blinking so I could
see more clearly. The girl staring back at me was
angry, powerful. This girl and I were the same. I
had new thoughts, willful thoughts, or rather
thoughts filled with lots of wonts. I wont let
her change me, I promised myself. I wont be what
Im not. from Two Kinds by Amy Tan
End of Section
14
Motivation
Quick Check
What motivates Jing-mei?
I looked at my reflection, blinking so I could
see more clearly. The girl staring back at me was
angry, powerful. This girl and I were the same. I
had new thoughts, willful thoughts, or rather
thoughts filled with lots of wonts. I wont let
her change me, I promised myself. I wont be what
Im not. from Two Kinds by Amy Tan
Her sense of self, her desire for independence,
her growing confidence
15
Practice
Work with a partner to analyze a short story you
have recently read. Use a data bank like the one
shown here.
End of Section
16
The End
17
Dynamic Characters
Believable Changes The change that a dynamic
character undergoes should be believable and
realistic.
Aaron learns not to be so arrogant after
alienating his best friend.
Believable
Aaron suddenly inherits a fortune from a distant
relative and shares his new wealth with all his
friends.
Not Believable