Character Analysis

1
CharacterAnalysis

• The Many Faces of Literary Individuals

2
Characters
Characters

• Arguably the most important elements in a work of
  fiction
• One of three basic, essential components of a
  fictional story (conflict, setting)
• defined as a physical being involved in the plot
  of a work fiction

3
Protagonist
4
Protagonist

• The main positive character who must face and
  overcome conflict
• commonly referred to as a hero or good guy...
• Protagonists are those characters for whom the
  reader roots/supports
• (pro for)

5
Antagonists
6
Antagonist

• main negative character who creates conflict
• antagonists oppose the protagonist
• commonly called villains or bad guys
• ant- against

7
Round Character
8
Round Character

• possesses a variety of traits
• well-described, detailed, and developed
• multi-dimensional and interesting
• Rule of Five five meaningful details a
  round character

9
Flat Character

• basic, boring and one-dimensional character
• lacking in description and traits
• often a supporting character
• usually has limited emotional impact upon the
  reader/audience

10
Static Character
11
Static Character

• a character who does not change significantly
  throughout a work
• does not develop or grow
• maintains same personal traits and
  characteristics

12
Dynamic Character
13
Dynamic Character

• a character who changes significantly throughout
  a work
• undergoes meaningful and important growth or
  development
• changes do not have to be positive
• dynamic characters are more common in extended
  works (novels, etc.)

14
Stock CharacterWeve seen them before...
15
Stock Character

• a generic, reoccurring character type
• a commonly known brand of literary individual
• ex) an evil scientist bent on world domination
• ex) a brilliant but eccentric detective who
  knows more than he lets on.

16
Neutral Character

• a character who is neither negative nor positive
• often a subordinate character
• rarely serves a significant role in a story

17
Subordinate Character

• a supporting character
• is not a crucial member of the cast of characters
• they do serve a purpose, but are not central to
  the plot
• are often flat and static as well

18
Antihero
19
Antihero

• a protagonist who shares the qualities of an
  antagonist
• a character for whom we root, but with a negative
  side
• often the most interesting and thought-provoking
  questions
• blurs the lines between good and evil