Meaning and Methods of Characterisation in Literature for SS 1

Characterization

Performance Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. define character and characterization in literary works;
2. identify the major and minor characters in selected in literary texts;
3. distinguish between types of characters (protagonist, antagonist, foil, flat, etc);
4. discuss the attributes of the different types of characters.

Meaning of Character

In literature, a character is a person, animal, or imaginary creature that takes part in the action of a literary work.

Characters are the individuals who perform actions, speak dialogue, and experience events within a story, play, or poem. They are essential to driving the plot and conveying the themes of the work.

Meaning of Characterization

Characterization is the process by which an author reveals the personality of a character.

Authors use various methods to show readers what a character is like, rather than simply telling them. This process helps readers understand the characters’ motivations, thoughts, feelings, and actions, making them feel real and relatable.

Major and Minor Characters

Characters in literary works can be broadly categorised based on their importance and involvement in the plot. This distinction helps in understanding their roles and contributions to the story.

Major Characters

Major characters are central to the plot and are essential to the development of the story.

They are deeply involved in the main conflict and often undergo significant changes or developments throughout the narrative. The story usually revolves around their experiences, decisions, and relationships. Readers typically learn a great deal about major characters.

Minor Characters

Minor characters are less central to the plot and serve to support the major characters or advance the story in a limited way.

They often appear briefly, have fewer lines of dialogue, and their personalities are not explored in as much detail as major characters. Their primary function is to provide background, offer assistance, create obstacles, or highlight aspects of the major characters’ personalities.

Types of Characters

Beyond their importance, characters can also be classified by their roles and how fully developed their personalities are. Understanding these types helps in analysing their functions within a literary text.

Protagonist

The protagonist is the central character in a literary work, around whom the main plot revolves.

This character is typically the “hero” or main figure who drives the action and faces the primary conflict. The protagonist’s journey, struggles, and ultimate fate are usually the focus of the story.

Attributes of a protagonist include:

1. Centrality: The story’s main events and conflicts directly involve the protagonist.
2. Goal-Oriented: They often have a clear goal or objective they are trying to achieve.
3. Faces Conflict: The protagonist is usually the one who experiences the main conflict, whether internal or external.
4. Often Heroic: While not always morally perfect, protagonists often possess qualities that readers can admire or root for.

Antagonist

The antagonist is the character or force that opposes the protagonist, creating conflict and tension in the story.

The antagonist’s actions or presence often stand in the way of the protagonist achieving their goals. This opposition is crucial for developing the plot and revealing the protagonist’s character.

Attributes of an antagonist include:

1. Opposition: Their primary role is to challenge or hinder the protagonist.
2. Source of Conflict: They are often the direct cause of the main conflict in the story.
3. Not Always Evil: While often portrayed as villains, an antagonist can also be a natural force, society, or even another character with opposing but not necessarily evil intentions.
4. Drives Plot: The antagonist’s actions force the protagonist to react and move the story forward.

Foil

A foil is a character who contrasts with another character, usually the protagonist, to highlight particular qualities of the other character.

By placing a foil character alongside another, the author draws attention to specific traits, values, or flaws of the main character through comparison. The foil’s purpose is to make the protagonist’s characteristics stand out more clearly.

Attributes of a foil include:

1. Contrast: They possess qualities that are opposite or significantly different from the main character they are paired with.
2. Highlighting: Their contrasting traits serve to emphasise certain aspects of another character’s personality.
3. Supportive Role: Foils typically play a secondary role, existing to illuminate the protagonist or another significant character.
4. Similarities with Differences: Sometimes, foils may share some similarities with the protagonist, but their key differences are what make the contrast effective.

Flat Character

A flat character is a character who is relatively undeveloped and has only one or two easily identifiable traits.

These characters are often simple and predictable, serving a specific function in the story without undergoing any significant change or revealing complex emotions. They are typically minor characters.

Attributes of a flat character include:

1. Simplicity: They are defined by a limited number of traits, often a single dominant characteristic.
2. Predictability: Their actions and reactions are usually consistent and easy to foresee.
3. Lack of Depth: Readers do not get to know their inner thoughts, complex motivations, or personal history in detail.
4. Static Nature: Flat characters generally do not change or develop throughout the story.
5. Functional Role: They often serve a specific purpose, such as providing comic relief, delivering a message, or representing a particular social type.