CHARACTER -- There are two meanings for the word character:
1) The person in a work of fiction.
2) The characteristics of a person.
Persons in a work of fiction - Antagonist and Protagonist
Short stories use few characters. One character is clearly central to the story with all major events having some importance to this character (the one faced with the problem)- he/she is the PROTAGONIST. The character in opposition of the main character is called the ANTAGONIST.
The Characteristics of a Person -
In order for a story to seem real to the reader its characters must seem real. Characterization is the information the author gives the reader about the characters themselves. The author may reveal a character in several ways:
a) his/her physical appearance
b) what he/she says, thinks, feels and dreams
c) what he/she does or does not do
d) what others say about him/her and how others react to him/her
Characters are convincing if they are: consistent, motivated, and life-like (resemble real people)
Characters are...
1. Individual - round, many sided and complex personalities.
2. Developing - dynamic, many sided personalities that change, for better or worse, by the end of the story.
3. Static - Stereotype, have one or two characteristics that never change and are emphasized e.g. brilliant detective, drunk, scrooge, cruel stepmother, etc.
4. Flat- is a minor character in a work of fiction who does not undergo substantial change or growth in the course of a story.
Character Foils- a character who contrasts with another character (usually the protagonist) in order to highlight particular qualities of the other character.
Please be aware that the information made available on this site is provided as a courtesy. Daily homework requirements are posted in the Agenda and in Ms. Goutier's classroom. Students are expected to use their planners to record such information at school. Please do not rely on this website to provide this information as technological difficulties and time constraints might make updating this website impossible on certain days. Thank you.