Introduction to literature

Instructor:

Tran Thi Nguyet Thanh,

M.A
Characters
 A character is a person, an
animal, a creature, or a thing
in a story.
What
is
character?
 Types
of
characters
 Protagonis
t 

Antagonist 

Major characters
 Protagonist
• is the main character of the
story, the one with whom the
reader identifies.
• is not necessary “good”.
• Decisions made by this
character will be affected by a
conflict from within, or
externally through another
character, nature, technology,
society, or the fates/God.
Antagonist
 is the force in opposition of
the protagonist
 may not be “bad” or “evil”
 causes the conflict for the
protagonist.
  could be the protagonist, who
is torn by a problem within or
a part of nature
 Examples of
protagonist and
antagonist
 The Hunger Games

Protagonist:

Katniss
Everdeen, Gale
Hawrthrone, Katniss
Peeta Melark.
Antagonist: President Snow

He wants everyone to listen to him. He

doesn't like Katniss and wants the
people in the Hunger Games to die.
 Buck -
Protagonist
Spitz -
Antagonist

The leader of
Francois's dog-team /
A big snow-dog.
Protagonist -
The Man

Antagonist -
Nature
• The story which based on survival story was started
with a strong man was going to a camp in Henderson
Creek by using Yukon trail.

• Trail is turned aside and the man got out from the
trail. Yukon was very cold and the man became upset
with weather condition.

• He got a new partner (gray husky) when he made the

first fire. The ice was broken and the man felt down and
became wet. He made a fire near the tree.

• He remembered the old man’s advice ( don’t go

alone). The snow felt and extinguished the fire.
• Man tried to build a new fire but he failed. After
that, he thought to kill the dog and use its fur to warm
his hand.

• Man’s body began freezing, so he became scared and

started running to maintain his body temperature. He
couldn’t move so he was frozen and died.

• The dog whined loudly when the man remained

silent for a while. Dog turned to camp direction.

• The ending of the story is emotional. The man dies

frozen and the dog ran searching for fire in the camp.
Protagonist -
The Old Man,
or Santiago

Antagonist -
The Sharks,
The Marlin
Louise Mallard
( Protagonist)

Brently
Mallard
( Antagonist)
 8 character types
1. Flat
2. Round
3. Dynamic
4. Static
5. Stock
6. Foil
7. Confidant
8. Villain
 How do authors decide the amount of
detail they include about each character?

ROUND OR FLAT
 Round Flat
• characters that are • characters that are not
described in depth, with described well that you
many details, are well- are not given much
rounded characters. information about

• The main character in a

story is ALMOST ALWAYS
round
• Consider a drawing: a three- dimensional
drawing gives more detail than a one-
dimensional drawing.
Flat

• If you draw a one-dimensional, flat, picture

of a house, you can only see one side of it.
You miss three of the four sides.

Round
• A flat drawing is like a flat character; you
only receive a few details. There are many
things you cannot “see,” or many details
you are not given by the author.
 Static
or Dynamic?

How do characters change or remain the

same throughout a story?
 Static

or

Dynamic?
• The key word when dealing with the difference between
static and dynamic characters is change.

• The type of change is specific. We are only concerned

with internal changes —changes that occur within the
character herself/himself.

• Internal changes include a change in his or her…

• personality
• outlook/point of view towards an issue
• values
• an overall change in the nature of the character.
 Static Dynamic

• character is a character
• character must that undergoes an internal
remain the same change sometimes
throughout the between the beginning
entire story. and end of the story.

• does NOT undergo • The change in the

any internal changes. character is usuallycrucial
to the story itself.
How do certain characters reveal more about
setting, theme, plot, or other characters?

Stock, Foil, Confidant

 Stock character
• is a special kind of flat character who is instantly
recognizable to most readers.

• may be called “stock,” “typecast,” or

“stereotypical” characters.

• are NOT focus characters, nor are they

developed in the story.
 For example
• the dumb blonde

• the mean stepmother

•the loyal servant the evil dictator

• the abusive boyfriend

 Foil Character
is a special kind of character who is used to
enhance another character through contrast.

• As opposites, they highlight qualities of a central

character.

• is usually static

• They are not focus characters, nor are they

developed in the story.
Mr. Spock and
Captain Kirk
serve as each
other’s foils
since their
personalities
are so notably
different.
 Draco
Malfoy is
a foil
to Harry
Potter.
 Confidant Character
• is a special kind of character who the main
character confides in.

• is usually static

• When the main character confides (shares

with/trusts), the confidant reveals qualities,
thoughts, and feelings of the main character.

• helps us learn more about our central/main

character.
 Ron
and
Hermione
•Hamlet is the Prince of
Denmark; he is son to
the late King Hamlet,
and nephew to the
present King Claudius.

• Horatio is a good friend

of Hamlet, from the
university at
Wittenberg, who came
to Elsinore Castle to
attend King Hamlet's
funeral.
 similar to the
antagonist, but they are
evil.
Villain
character
Pennywise
– IT –
Stephen
King “Some characters in this story were so
demented. Pennywise (the clown) was so
scary and creepy. The descriptors that King
uses couldn’t be anymore perfect.
Character personality, growth, and
development get an A+ from me.”
 The description of the personalities of the
characters in the story and the way in which an
author reveals their personalities.

CHARACTERIZATION
The author may reveal a character in several
ways:

1. His/her physical appearance

2. What he/she says, thinks, feels and dreams
3. What he/she does or does not do
4. What others say about him/her and how
others react to him/her
 Methods of characterization
creating believable characters

Indirect
Direct
– physical appearance
– the narrator’s direct
comments about a
– speech (dialogue), character
thoughts, feelings, or – others' comments
actions (behaviors) of
the character
QUIZ 1: CAN - CAN
 Group 1’s
presentation

 
- To compare the plot of “The Story of an
Hour” with that of “Can-can” by Arturo
Vivante.

- To read chapter 3 in Analyzing (pp. 19-22)

for further understanding.

- To analyze and discuss characterization in

“The Story of an Hour”.
THANK
YOU