Character Types

Question 1

Characterization

Answer 1

The collection of characters, or people, in a short story is
called its characterization. A character*, of course, is usually a person in a story, but
it can also be an animal (think about Flounder the fish in Disney’s Ariel or Simba in
Disney’s The Lion King or the dogs in 8 Below).

Question 2

Protagonist

Answer 2

The main character in the story. The protagonist is usually, but not
always, a “good guy.”

Question 3

Antagonist

Answer 3

The force against the protagonist. The antagonist is usually another
character, but not always, especially if the conflict is “person against self.” The
antagonist is usually described as “the bad guy”, although that description doesn’t
work if the conflict is person against self or person against environment.

Question 4

Flat

Answer 4

This is a minor character with one or maybe two sides to the personality.
These characters might not seem very realistic or life-like because so little is
known about them

Question 5

Round

Answer 5

These characters are believable and complex people with several sides
to their personality. They are lifelike and behave like real people would, if real
people were in those same situations

Question 6

Dynamic

Answer 6

Also known as a kinetic character, a dynamic character changes in
some important way because of plot events. For example: a cruel old man might
see the error of his ways and become generous and kind, or a gentle girl becomes
vicious and angry because her parents divorce

Question 7

Static

Answer 7

These characters are the opposite of dynamic characters. These people
don’t change through the course of a story. They have the same personality
throughout

Question 8

Stereotypical

Answer 8

Also known as stock, these characters are people who are easily
recognized as “types”. It wouldn’t matter in which story they appear, they are
always the same. For example, the old witch-like woman, the geeky scientist, the
airhead, and the dumb jock characters are all stereotypical, or stock, characters. In
this sense, they are also clichés* (NT). (A cliché is an over-used expression, like
“light as a feather,” or an over-used idea, like the stereotypical characters just
discussed.)

Question 9

Character Foil

Answer 9

A character foil, or simply “foil”, occurs when two characters
balance each other in some way; they are almost like two halves of a whole
person. This is when a character is portrayed as opposite of another character in a
particular way. By putting the two characters next to each other, the different
characteristic is emphasized. This helps readers recognize particular
characteristics. A good person might be a foil for an evil person, for example

Question 10

Character Analysis

Answer 10

The author may choose any of six ways to reveal a character to the
reader. The reader must therefore be prepared to watch for “clues” about each character
in these same six ways:
1. physical appearance
2. things the character says
3. things the character does (actions)
4. things the character thinks
5. things other characters say about the character
6. author information

Question 11

Character Sketch

Answer 11

A character sketch is a description of a character’s moral and
personality qualities, written in paragraph form with specific examples from the story in
question. Usually, the character terms (see above) are used in the course of the
description. Physical appearance and dress (if showing something about personality) are
sometimes described as well