Character

Question 1

Protagonist

Answer 1

The main character in a work; often a hero or heroine, but not always.

Question 2

Antagonist

Answer 2

A character in a story or play who opposes the protagonist: while not necessarily the enemy creates or intensifies a conflict for protagonist.

Question 3

Coming-of-age story or bildungsroman

Answer 3

A novel that explores the maturation of the protagonist with the narrative usually moving the main character from childhood to adulthood.

Question 4

Epiphany

Answer 4

An “aha” moment. The moment a character is suddenly struck with a life changing realization which changes the rest of the story.

Question 5

Round Character

Answer 5

A character who exhibits a range of motions and who evolves over the course of the story.

Question 6

Flat Character

Answer 6

A character embodying only one or two traits and who lacks character. Also called a static character.

Question 7

Foil

Answer 7

A contrasting character who allows the protagonist to stand out more distinctly.

Question 8

Stock character

Answer 8

A type of flat character based on a stereotype, one who falls into animate recognizable category or type.

Question 9

Direct characterization

Answer 9

A narrator tells the reader who a character is by describing the background, motivation, temperment, or appearance of a character.

Question 10

Indirect Characterization

Answer 10

An author shows rather than tells us what a character is like.