CHARACTERIZATION

The creation of imaginary persons that seem real and true to life

 
How do authors try to reflect real people and attitudes in their writing?

By creating characters that are very different from each other

 What is the importance of characters to a story?

Characters are essential to a story and it's outcome

How do authors introduce characters to readers?

Authors try to introduce characters in such a way that will make readers identify and relate with the characters:

• Some authors present readers with character descriptions in the beginning of the story
• Others use characters' thoughts, feelings, and actions to introduce characters gradually

PROTAGONIST

The main character in a novel, play, story or poem. They are sometimes referred to as the "hero" or the "heroine" of the work, and although these figures are rarely perfect, they are almost always the "good guys."

How many protagonists can there be in a story?

There can be more than one protagonist if two or three characters are of equal importance to a story.

Since the events of a story revolve around the protagonist and their experiences what tends to happen?

Readers often identify with the protagonist as they observe and understand what they do, think, and feel.

What often happens to protagonists in a story?

Protagonists often change as they face the problems and obstacles in a story

How can readers comprehend these changes?

Because of the characters' actions, thoughts, and feelings

ANTAGONIST

The enemy, rival, or opponent of the protagonist. This character is often the "bad guy" of the story.

What role does the antagonist play in a story?

Often have a very large role in the story and is a major character.

MINOR CHARACTERS

Characters that play smaller roles in stories

How can minor characters impact the story/ reader?

• Influence the main characters and events
• Often assist, or hinder, the protagonist throughout the story
• Interaction with the protagonist helps the reader better understand the story and its characters

Let's Check Your Mastery Questions

1. The main character or hero in a story is called the

a. main character

b. minor character

c. protagonist

d.antagonist

c. protagonist

Let's Check Your Mastery Questions

1. The enemy or opponent of the main character in a story is called the

a. main character

b. minor character

c. protagonist

d. antagonist

d. antagonist

Let's Check Your Mastery Questions

1. Minor characters usually

a. help or hinder the main character

b. are main characters

c. don't like the protagonist

d. don't teach the reader anything about the main character

a. help or hinder the main character

DYNAMIC CHARACTERS

Characters that undergo changes in a story

What kinds of changes must a dynamic character undergo?

Changes within the character, not changes in circumstances, including: 

• Learning to see things in a new way
• Maturing
• Reaching a new level of understanding
• Change in insight or understanding
• Change in values or commitment etc.

STATIC CHARACTERS

Characters who do not undergo an important change in the story

 Let's Check Your Mastery Questions

4. Characters that change in a story are called

a. dynamic characters

b. static characters

a. dynamic characters

Let's Check Your Mastery Questions

5. Characters that do not change in a story are called

a. dynamic characters

b. static characters

b. static characters

Let's Check Your Mastery Questions

6. The pig who built his house out of brick is a

a. dynamic character

b. static character

b. static character

"The Truth About Sharks" by Joan Bauer

LEAD

• Introduced to the narrator and a little of their characterization-not a morning person
• Introduced to setting: morning
• Desire to know what the sound is that keeps the reader reading
• Vivid imagery

"The Truth About Sharks" by Joan Bauer

SETTING

Place: Fairfield County, Connecticut

-in Beth's home

-Route 1 Norwalk in Mitchell Gail's

-Uncle Al's house

When: Starts at 10:30 am on a Saturday and goes until about 5 the same day

-Continues when Beth returns to Mitchell Gails to redeem her $650 gift certificate

-1986 to present? possible time period

"The Truth About Sharks" by Joan Bauer

POINT OF VIEW

Told from 1st person point of view from the perspective of the protagonist, Beth

"The Truth About Sharks" by Joan Bauer

PROTAGONIST

-Beth

Physical description: Brunette, size 10, 17 years old

Personality: Not a morning person, snooty (uses big words in everyday conversation), places a lot of value on physical appearance and clothes and what people think of her (originally), thinks highly of herself, overly dramatic, sensitive, worry wart, wants to be a vet, rich, can be friendly

"The Truth About Sharks" by Joan Bauer

DYNAMIC OR STATIC?

Dynamic

-Goes from placing a lot of value on appearance, clothes and what people think of her and not wanting to go to Uncle Al's party because of his sexist jokes and rude behavior and her cousin

-To standing up for herself after being falsely arrested at Mitchell Gail's

-To feeling empowered: clothes aren't as important it's how confident you are in them, learned to stand up for herself, has a good time at her Uncle Al's party regardless of her cousin Bianca

"The Truth About Sharks" by Joan Bauer

ANTAGONIST

-Madge P. Groton, Security Guard

Physical description: Stocky, stern, picks her teeth, has frigid gray eyes, strong,  has a wide jaw, thick neck, and a nose mole

Personality: Quick to jumps to conclusions, skeptical, inappropriate, takes advantage of her postion of power, overreacts, cynical, insincere

"The Truth About Sharks" by Joan Bauer

DYNAMIC OR STATIC?

Static

Although she apologizes toward the end it is at the urging of Thomas Lundgren, and it is very insincere so she is unwilling to admit that she made a mistake or that she should apologize.

"The Truth About Sharks" by Joan Bauer

MINOR CHARACTERS

-Hannah, salesperson-sweet, round, plump, has sad eyes, helpful, friendly, boyfriend cheated on her, helps prove Beth's innocence to Officer Brennerman

-Officer Brennerman-big, leathery skin, just doing his job, gives Beth a chance to prove her innocence by going back to Mitchell Gail's and speaking with a witness

-Thomas Lundgren, store manager-dismissive, judgmental, just looking out for his and his store's best interests, compensates Beth for her troubles

-Mrs. Applegate-Uncle Al's nosy neighbor that watches but does nothing for Beth

POINT OF VIEW

The perspective of the person telling the story that authors use to give readers new perspectives about the characters in a story. It is the way the story is passed from the author to the reader.

What are the two main points of view?

First person and third person

FIRST PERSON

The main character tells the story using the first person pronoun, "I."

What happens as a result of first person point of view?

The reader is able to know everything the main character experiences

"Beware the Ides of November" by Ellen Conford

LEAD

-Desire to know what the quote means, what a "red-letter day" is, see how things unfold, and what wonderful opportunities will come their way that keeps the reader reading

-Introduced to the setting: November 12th

"Beware the Ides of November" by Ellen Conford

SETTING

Place: Nikki's school bus and subsequently her school, and later her house

Time period: Thursday, November 12th

"Beware the Ides of November" by Ellen Conford

POINT OF VIEW

Told in first person point of view from the perspective of the main character, Nikki Feldman

"Beware the Ides of November" by Ellen Conford

PROTAGONIST

Nikki Feldman

Physical Description: Wet, tangled hair, sweater coming apart in back, swollen nose, egg shaped lump on forehead

Personality: has a temper, tendency to make a mountain out of a mole hill, insecure (feels like everyone's watching), athletic, exaggerates, puts a lot of value on her appearance, takes frustration out on other people, judgmental, superstitious

"Beware the Ides of November" by Ellen Conford

DYNAMIC OR STATIC?

Static, the only thing that changes is that Nikki found out that horoscopes don't work, she is still the same self-conscious girl

"Beware the Ides of November" by Ellen Conford

ANTAGONIST

Nikki Feldman's bad luck

"Beware the Ides of November" by Ellen Conford

MINOR CHARACTERS

-Bess, her best friend: superstitious,problem solver, trys to help Nikki get her coat from her locker and gets her to the nurse's office

-Duane Belinger: unappealing, has a crush on Nikki, trying to lose weight, has allergies, hypochondriac, immature, tries to help her during the fire drill

-Robby Randazzo: jerk, rude (makes fun of Nikki)

-Ms.Carlton: gym teacher

-Shelby Gutierrez: lent Nikki her hair dryer, makes fun of Nikki

-Steve Landis, Nikki's crush: basically nice guy, smart, very attractive, helpful, sympathetic, courteous, helps Nikki out throughout the day and keeps checking up on her

THIRD PERSON POINT OF VIEW

When a "nonparticipant," or someone who does not participate in the story, is the narrator; third person pronouns, "he," "she," "they," etc., are used for all the characters.

What are the types of third person point of view?

-Omniscient

-Limited omniscient

-Camera view

OMNISCIENT

The "all knowing" point of view that allows the reader to enter the mind and heart of all the characters in a story.

What does the omniscient point of view help the reader to do?

Helps the reader to understand each of the characters individually

Where is the omniscient point of view often used?

Often used in novels that have different narrators in each chapter

LIMITED OMNISCIENT POINT OF VIEW

When is limited omniscient point of view effective?

Very effective for stories with surprise endings or mysterious circumstances. The reader follows the main character who is trying to solve the mystery, but is not given the thoughts and feelings of the other characters, which would give away the surprise.

CAMERA VIEW

A point of view that allows the storyteller to record the action from its own point of view. The reader is not allowed to enter the mind or heart of any of the characters and remains an outside observer.

Let's Check Your Mastery Questions

7. The reader enters the mind and heart of all the characters in a story.

a. first person point of view

b. camera view

c. limited omniscient point of view

d. third person point of view

e. omniscient point of view

e. omniscient point of view

Let's Check Your Mastery Questions

8. The reader shares the thoughts and feelings of only one character in the novel.

a. first person point of view

b. camera view

c. limited omniscient point of view

d. third person point of view

e. omniscient point of view

c. limited omniscient point of view

Let's Check Your Mastery Questions

9. The reader is not allowed to enter the mind or heart of any of the characters and remains an outside observer.

a. first person point of view

b. camera view

c. limited omniscient point of view

d. third person point of view

e. omniscient point of view

b. camera view

Let's Check Your Mastery Questions

10. A "nonparticipant," or someone who does not participate in the story, is the narrator.

a. first person point of view

b. camera view

c. limited omniscient point of view

d. third person point of view

e. omniscient point of view

d. third person point of view

Let's Check Your Mastery Questions

11. The main character tells the story using the pronoun, "I."

a. first person point of view

b. camera view

c. limited omniscient point of view

d. third person point of view

e. omniscient point of view

a. first person point of view

-Introduced to the main character, Cythia Durella

-Introduced to one of the antagonists, her stepmother, Ruth and her characterization: witch with unresolved anger toward her first husband that causes her to shop compulsively and be mean to Cynthia

-Introduced to the setting: Park Avenue, New York City

-Desire to know just how bad things get for Cynthia that keeps the reader reading

Place: New York City

-Ruth's 12th story apartment on Park Avenue

-Roper School

-Lexington Avenue Thrift Shop

Time period: Fall over the course of two weeks in recent times

Third person limited omniscient-we only know Cynthia's feelings and learn about the other characters through her eyes, through dialogue, or through her interaction with them

Cynthia Durella

Physical Description: slim, Ivory Soap complexion, beautiful, has a wonderful neck

Personality: appeases, hard working, mistreated, grew up in a suburban town and misses it, hard time making friends, out of place, not rich, not superficial, scared of being judged

Dynamic

-She goes from being oppressed and basically a maid in her own home who puts up with it without friends, to making friends with Sam and making what she wants to do happen-ends up going to the dance, went from a victim to empowering herself

-She goes from being afraid of being judged and attracted to "The One," to in love with the attention of her peers and "The One," to realizing she needs to do what's right for her and attraction is more than skin deep and her feelings for Sam

Ruth and Sheri

Ruth-a witch with a lot of unresolved anger toward her first husband that manifests in compulsive shopping and meanness toward Cynthia, rich, sickly sweet, lazy, favors her daughter, static character

Sheri

Physical description: 156 pounds, has monster zits

Personality: hypochondriac, lazy, tries her best to rub things in with Cynthia, rude, judgmental, nosy, spoiled, makes fun of people, sarcastic, enjoys giving bad news, static character

Sam (Stephen Alexander Morganson): tall, pale, has long scraggly reddish hair in his face, wore several earrings, black eyeliner and baggy, black clothes, good-looking, very educated, privileged, doesn't give straight answers, friendly, clever, always made Cynthia laugh, Cynthia's best and only friend at Roper, knowledgeable, honest, judgmental, friendly, helpful, supportive, cares about Cynthia and is happy when she is happy even if that's not with him (self sacrificing)

"The One" (Conner Worthington Harkness the Third): tall young man with broad shoulders and blue eyes, heir to a fortune, "the one every girl wants," extremely materialistic