Characterization

1. Characterization The process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character. This can be through direct characterization and indirect characterization.

2. Direct Characterization The author tells the audience what the personality of the character is.

3. Direct Characterization The author tells the audience what the personality of the character is. Example: “The patient boy and quiet girl were both well mannered and did not disobey their mother.”

4. Direct Characterization The author tells the audience what the personality of the character is. Example: “The patient boy and quiet girl were both well mannered and did not disobey their mother.”

5. Direct Characterization The author tells the audience what the personality of the character is. Example: “The patient boy and quiet girl were both well mannered and did not disobey their mother.” Example from Animal Farm: “Clover was a stout motherly mare approaching middle life, who had never quite gotten her figure back after her fourth foal (Orwell 2).

6. Direct Characterization The author tells the audience what the personality of the character is. Example: “The patient boy and quiet girl were both well mannered and did not disobey their mother.” Example from Animal Farm: “Clover was a stout motherly mare approaching middle life, who had never quite gotten her figure back after her fourth foal (Orwell 2).

7. Indirect Characterization The author shows things that reveal the personality of a character. There are five different methods of indirect characterization: • Speech • Thought • Effect on Others • Actions • Looks

8. Speech What does the character say? How does the character speak? Example:“‘I have no wish to take life, not even human life,’ repeated boxer, and his eyes were full of tears” (Orwell 28).

9. Thought What is revealed through the character’s private thoughts and feelings? Example:“…Clover, who thought she remembered a definite ruling against beds, went to the end of the barn and tried to puzzle out the seven commandments which were inscribed there” (Orwell 45).

10. Effect on others What is revealed through the character’s effect on other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character? Example: (discussing Mr. Whymper)“The animals watched his coming and going with a kind of dread, and avoided him as much as possible” (Orwell 44).

11. Actions What does the character do? How does the character behave? Example:“Snowball now gave the signal for the charge. He himself dashed straight for Jones” (Orwell 27).

12. Looks What does the character look like? How does the character dress (or not dress)? Example:“… Napoleon himself appearing in a black coat, ratcatcher breeches and leather leggings, while his favorite sow appeared in the watered silk dress” (Orwell 90).

13. Other Character terms • Dynamic: a character which changes permanently during the course of a story or novel. • Static: a character that remains primarily the same throughout a story or novel. • Round: a well developed character who demonstrates varied and sometimes contradictory traits. • Flat: a character who reveals only one, maybe two, personality traits in a story or novel, and the trait(s) do not change. • Foil: a character that is used to enhance another character through contrast. • Stereotyped: a special kind of flat character who is instantly recognizable to most readers.