Character Development

1. Character Development

2. What is character development? • The unfolding or growth of a character as the plot develops

3. Direct/ Explicit Characterization • The author clearly identifies the personality and character traits to the audience. • Direct characterization can be accomplished via the narrator, the character or another character.

4. Example • Example: “The patient boy and quiet girl were both well mannered and did not disobey their mother.” • Explanation: The author is directly telling the audience the personality of these two children. The boy is “patient” and the girl is “quiet.”

5. Indirect/Implicit Characterization • The author implies characterization. The audience must infer for themselves and develop characterizations by analyzing a character’s physical appearance, personality, thoughts, feelings, actions, speech and interaction with other characters and other character’s reactions. • The audience is responsible for identifying the significance of what a character says, how a character acts and reactions to situations.

6. Example • If a mother calmly tells her son it's time for bed and he responds by saying, “No, I don't have to do what you say! I'm staying up all night!” then we can infer that this young boy is angry, stubborn and may have authority issues. The author is not telling us directly what type of personality the boy has; instead we must decide this based on the author's use of speech.

7. Indirect/Implicit Characterization There are 5 different methods of indirect characterization:

8. Tips • TIP #1: Use the mnemonic device of STEAL to remember the five types of indirect characterization • TIP #2: Use indirect characterization to analyze visual media: Film: Look at how the character dresses and moves. Note the facial expressions when the director moves in for a close-up shot. Drama: Pay attention to the way that the characters reveal their thoughts during a soliloquy.