Character Flashcards
Why do we get to know characters in fiction so well, often better than real-life people?
Two reasons: Fiction puts characters in hard situations to expose their true nature, and fiction takes us inside characters’ minds so we experience their thoughts/feelings.
How are fictional characters important in real life?
They can help us better understand ourselves and others.
Characters should be…
Believeable. This means not all good or all bad, and they must be consistent.
What are the two types of characterization?
Indirect and direct characterization.
What is direct characterization?
The writer tells us explicitly what the character is like. For example, “He was rude.”
What is indirect characterization?
The writer shows us the character’s actions/thoughts and lets us draw our own conclusions. For example, “He frequently yelled at small children.”
