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Character

Character. “But Grandmother! What big teeth you have!”. What is Character ?. Imaginary people created by the writer. Perhaps the most important element of literature is character development . Look for connections , links , and clues between and about characters.

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Character

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  1. Character “But Grandmother! What big teeth you have!”

  2. What is Character? • Imaginary people created by the writer. • Perhaps the most important element of literature is character development. • Look for connections, links, and clues between and about characters. • Ask yourself what the function and significance of each character is. • Make this determination based upon the character's history, what the reader is told (and not told) about the character.

  3. ExploringCharacter • The creation and development of character in literature often results in an exploration of specific aspects of the human experience and human nature (complex values, external/internal conflicts, and powerful emotions are examined)

  4. Aspects and Elements of Character • Characterization- The means by which writers reveal character. • Protagonist – The character at the center of the story/conflict (main character). • Antagonist - A character or force that opposes the protagonist. • Major character - A major character in literature is a character that plays a large role in the story, but is not the main character. • Minor character - Often provides support and/or illuminates the character traits of the protagonist (main character)

  5. Aspects and Elements of Character • Static character - A character who remains the same over the course of the novel. • Dynamic character - A character who changes in some important way over the course of the novel. • Explicit Judgment- The narrator gives facts and interpretive comment on aspects of the story. • Implied Judgment- The narrator gives description in the story, and the reader is left to make their own judgment.

  6. What is a foil? Oh, I know! I know! Um, ok, no I don’t. I’ve just always wanted to say that! I tried to eat tin foil once. Wait...what was the question? Why don’t you tell us Monica since you seem to know everything. Ha...ha Monica knows everything? I know everything! I’m a Palaeontologist!

  7. What is a Foil Character? • A foil is a person who contrasts with another character (usually the protagonist) in order to highlight various features of the main character's personality (opposite yet complimentary). • However, a foil usually has some important characteristics in common with the other character as well, such as superficial traits or personal history.

  8. Examples of a Foil in Literature • Mercutio and Romeo in Romeo and Juliet • Macbeth and Banquo or Macbeth and Macduff in Macbeth • Hamlet and Laertes in Hamlet • Mr. Collins and Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice • Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone

  9. What's A Character Archetype? An archetype is an original model of a person, ideal example, or a prototype upon which others are copied, patterned, or emulated; a symbol universally recognized by all. The Criminal The Brain The Princess The Jock The Lunatic

  10. Approaches to Character Analysis • Consider physical traits and descriptions • Explore what the character does (actions) • Explore what the character says/thinks • Examine what other characters say/think about him/her

  11. Approaches to Character Analysis • Consider the character’s role in the novel (main/major/minor character? Do they shape the conflict?) • Ponder the significance of character names(an immature man named Teddy) • Analyze how the character changes over the course of the story. What is the thematic significance?

  12. Critical Analysis of Characterization Making Connections to the Character: ASK... • As a reader, what do you like and/or dislike about this character? • What does the author want the reader to feel for the character (empathy? hatred? fondness? )? • As a reader, do you identify with this character on any level? • As a reader, do you care about this character?

  13. Critical Analysis of Characterization Evaluate the moral structure of the character: ASK... • To what degree are her/his morals defined by contrasting minor characters, by the testimony of characters who are readily acceptable as witnesses? • What are the character's inclinations to specific virtues and vices, her/his powers or handicaps with relation to those virtues and vices? • Examine the important actions through which her/his moral stature is apparent.

  14. Critical Analysis of Characterization Evaluate the psychology of the character: ASK... • What are her/his dominant traits or desires? How did these traits or desires apparently originate? Do they support or oppose one another? • Through what modes of awareness is the protagonist most responsive to life and experience: rational, instinctual, sensory, emotional, intuitive? • How does the character deal with a crisis? In what terms does she/he see her/his problem? What does she/he maximize or minimize, try to prove or disprove? Do her/his reactions proceed through definite phases? If so, what are they? How may one explain the character's effectiveness or inadequacy in dealing with this emergency?

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