Literary Term - Character

 

Literary Term

Character 

In literature, a "character" refers to a person, animal, or any other entity that is part of a narrative. Characters are essential elements in storytelling, and they can be developed in various ways to serve different roles in a literary work. Authors use characters to convey the plot, themes, and messages of their stories.

Characters can be analyzed in terms of their motivations, conflicts, relationships with other characters, and their roles in advancing the themes of the literary work. The creation and development of characters are crucial for readers to engage with and understand the story.

 

Types of Character

In literature, characters can be classified into various types based on their characteristics, roles, and functions within a narrative. Here are some common types of characters:

 

Protagonist: The central character around whom the story revolves. The protagonist is often the one facing the main conflict and driving the narrative forward.

 

Antagonist: The character or force that opposes the protagonist, creating conflict and obstacles for the main character.

 

Foils: Characters who contrast with the main character, highlighting certain traits or aspects of the protagonist's personality.

 

Dynamic Characters: Characters who undergo significant changes or development throughout the course of the story.

 

Static Characters: Characters who remain relatively unchanged and do not undergo significant development.

 

Round Characters: Characters with complex personalities, motivations, and multiple traits that make them more lifelike and well-developed.

 

Flat Characters: Characters with simpler, one-dimensional traits and characteristics.

 

Stock Characters: Stereotypical characters representing a specific type or group, often used for familiar or predictable roles.

 

Symbolic Characters: Characters that represent abstract ideas, concepts, or symbols within the story.

 

Eponymous Characters: Characters whose names are also the titles of the works they appear in (e.g., "Hamlet" in Shakespeare's play "Hamlet").

 

Major Characters: Characters who play significant roles in the development of the plot and are central to the story.

 

Minor Characters: Characters who have smaller roles in the narrative and may not be as fully developed as major characters.

 

Foreshadowed Characters: Characters whose presence or actions hint at events to come in the story.

 

Point-of-View Characters: Characters through whose perspective the story is told, providing a specific narrative lens.

 

Catalyst Characters: Characters whose actions or presence trigger significant events or changes in the plot.

 

These character types are not mutually exclusive, and a single character may exhibit traits from multiple categories. Authors use a variety of characters to create a dynamic and engaging narrative with depth and complexity.

 

Examples of Character in Literature

 

Protagonists:

Harry Potter from J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series.

Elizabeth Bennet from Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice."

Frodo Baggins from J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings."

 

Antagonists:

Iago from William Shakespeare's "Othello."

Count Dracula from Bram Stoker's "Dracula."

Captain Hook from J.M. Barrie's "Peter Pan."

 

Dynamic Characters:

Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol."

Jean Valjean from Victor Hugo's "Les Misérables."

 

Static Characters:

Hobbiton residents in "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien, who remain largely unchanged.

Sherlock Holmes in Arthur Conan Doyle's detective stories.

 

Round Characters:

Holden Caulfield from J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye."

Katniss Everdeen from Suzanne Collins' "The Hunger Games."

 

Flat Characters:

Mrs. Micawber from Charles Dickens' "David Copperfield."

Tybalt from William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet."

 

Stock Characters:

The Wise Old Mentor: Gandalf from J.R.R. Tolkien's works.

The Femme Fatale: Catherine Tramell from "Basic Instinct" by Richard Osborne.

 

Symbolic Characters:

The Mockingbird (Atticus Finch): Atticus Finch from Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird."

 

Eponymous Characters:

Jane Eyre from Charlotte Brontë's "Jane Eyre."

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde from Robert Louis Stevenson's "Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde."

 

Major Characters:

Raskolnikov from Fyodor Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment."

Scarlett O'Hara from Margaret Mitchell's "Gone with the Wind."

 

Minor Characters:

Mercutio and Benvolio in William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet."

Mr. Collins in Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice."

 

Foreshadowed Characters:

Tom Riddle in J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series.

 

Point-of-View Characters:

Scout Finch from Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird."

 

Catalyst Characters:

Tybalt in William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet."

 

These characters showcase the diversity of roles and types found in literature, contributing to the richness and depth of the stories in which they appear.

 

Function of Character

Characters serve several essential functions in literature, contributing to the overall development and impact of a story.

 

Driving the Plot:

Characters often propel the narrative forward by making choices, facing challenges, and influencing the events of the story.

 

Creating Conflict:

Characters, particularly protagonists and antagonists, generate conflict, which is a fundamental element in storytelling. Conflict creates tension and keeps readers engaged.

 

Conveying Themes:

Characters can embody and represent the themes of a story. Their experiences, actions, and relationships often reflect and explore broader ideas or messages the author wants to convey.

 

Providing Perspective:

Point-of-view characters offer readers a specific lens through which to experience the story. This perspective shapes how readers interpret events and other characters.

 

Eliciting Emotion:

Well-developed characters can evoke a range of emotions in readers, fostering empathy, sympathy, or antipathy. Emotional connections to characters enhance the reader's engagement with the narrative.

 

Facilitating Character Development:

Characters, especially dynamic ones, undergo changes or growth throughout the story. This development contributes to the overall arc and resolution of the narrative.

 

Representing Archetypes:

Characters can embody archetypal roles or figures, such as the hero, the villain, or the mentor. Archetypes tap into universal patterns and resonate with readers on a deeper level.

 

Adding Depth and Realism:

Well-rounded characters with distinct personalities, motivations, and flaws add realism and depth to a story. This complexity makes characters more relatable and interesting.

 

Serving as Symbols:

Characters can symbolize abstract concepts, societal issues, or cultural values, adding layers of meaning to the narrative.

 

Fulfilling Specific Functions:

Some characters play specific roles, such as the comic relief, the wise mentor, or the catalyst for change. These roles contribute to the overall structure and tone of the story.

 

Enhancing Atmosphere and Setting:

Characters contribute to the atmosphere of a story and help establish the setting by interacting with their surroundings and reflecting the cultural or historical context.

 

Building Relationships:

Interactions between characters, whether through friendships, romances, or conflicts, contribute to the social dynamics of the story and deepen the reader's investment in the narrative.

 

Capturing Reader Interest:

Engaging and compelling characters capture the reader's interest and make them invested in the outcome of the story.

 

The functions of characters are interconnected, and their effective portrayal and development contribute significantly to the overall success of a literary work.