Character The Elements of Fiction G-EN270 INTRO TO FICTION
CharacterThe Elements of Fiction
G-EN270 INTRO TO FICTION
“Character is plot, plot is character.”
—F. Scott Fitzgerald
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Conflict ::We will not remain long interested in impersonal forces; we demand character
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Conflict :: Character v. character
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Conflict :: Character v. character
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Julian v. his mother
Conflict :: Character v. character
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Julian v. his mother
• Norma Jean v. Leroy
Conflict :: Character v. character
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Julian v. his mother
• Norma Jean v. Leroy
• Norma Jean v. her mother
Conflict :: Character v. external forces
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Conflict :: Character v. external forces
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Leroy and Norma Jean v. Randy’s death
Conflict :: Character v. external forces
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Leroy and Norma Jean v. Randy’s death
• Leroy and Norma Jean v. Leroy’s accident
Conflict :: Character v. external forces
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Leroy and Norma Jean v. Randy’s death
• Leroy and Norma Jean v. Leroy’s accident
• Olenka v. Fate
Conflict :: Character v. external forces
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Leroy and Norma Jean v. Randy’s death
• Leroy and Norma Jean v. Leroy’s accident
• Olenka v. Fate
• Wing v. societal norms
Conflict :: Character v. internal forces
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Conflict :: Character v. internal forces
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Eveline v. guilt, love, responsibility
Conflict :: Character v. internal forces
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Eveline v. guilt, love, responsibility
• Julian v. ego, blindness to reality
Conflict :: Character v. internal forces
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Eveline v. guilt, love, responsibility
• Julian v. ego, blindness to reality
• Olenka v. Fate
Climax ::The reversal or moment of insight is evident in change (or lack of change) in characters
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Climax ::
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Climax ::
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Eveline’s inability to act
Climax ::
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Eveline’s inability to act
• Julian’s recognition of his dependence
Climax ::
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Eveline’s inability to act
• Julian’s recognition of his dependence
• Norma Jean grasping her independence
Climax ::
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Eveline’s inability to act
• Julian’s recognition of his dependence
• Norma Jean grasping her independence
• Olenka realizing the depths of unconditional, maternal love
Motivation ::The whys and hows strong enough to effect the alleged change in character
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Unity ::Need for unity is greatest in presentation of character. Characters must be plausible, command reader’s belief.
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Significance ::We’re most interested in people. The meaning we take from stories concerns human nature, human conduct.
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Types ::
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Types ::
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Flat
Types ::
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Flat
• Stock
Types ::
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Flat
• Stock
• Static
Types ::
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Types ::
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Round/Complex
Types ::
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Round/Complex
• Wide range of emotions
Types ::
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Round/Complex
• Wide range of emotions
• Contradictions, self-doubts, indecision
Types ::
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Round/Complex
• Wide range of emotions
• Contradictions, self-doubts, indecision
• Characteristics that mark them as unique individuals
Types ::
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Round/Complex
• Wide range of emotions
• Contradictions, self-doubts, indecision
• Characteristics that mark them as unique individuals
• Dynamic
Methods :: Author’s toolbox
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Methods :: Author’s toolbox
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Direct characterization—telling
Methods :: Author’s toolbox
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Direct characterization—telling
• What the narrative voice tells readers about the character
Methods :: Author’s toolbox
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Direct characterization—telling
• What the narrative voice tells readers about the character
“Ted Lavender…was scared”
Methods :: Author’s toolbox
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Methods :: Author’s toolbox
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Indirect characterization—showing
Methods :: Author’s toolbox
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Indirect characterization—showing
• What the dramatized scenes show us about character
Methods :: Author’s toolbox
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Indirect characterization—showing
• What the dramatized scenes show us about character
“Ted Lavender…carried tranquilizers…six or seven ounces of premium dope…thirty-four rounds [of ammunition for the M-79 grenade launcher instead of the typical load of twenty-five rounds]”
Ways of showing character ::
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Ways of showing character ::
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Names
Ways of showing character ::
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Names
• Physical features/ characteristics
Ways of showing character ::
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Names
• Physical features/ characteristics
• Clothing, dress
Ways of showing character ::
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Names
• Physical features/ characteristics
• Clothing, dress
• Possessions
Ways of showing character ::
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Names
• Physical features/ characteristics
• Clothing, dress
• Possessions
• Actions, choices, decisions
Ways of showing character ::
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Names
• Physical features/ characteristics
• Clothing, dress
• Possessions
• Actions, choices, decisions
• Dialogue
Ways of showing character ::
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Names
• Physical features/ characteristics
• Clothing, dress
• Possessions
• Actions, choices, decisions
• Dialogue
• Habits
Ways of showing character ::
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Names
• Physical features/ characteristics
• Clothing, dress
• Possessions
• Actions, choices, decisions
• Dialogue
• Habits
• What others say
Ways of showing character ::
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Names
• Physical features/ characteristics
• Clothing, dress
• Possessions
• Actions, choices, decisions
• Dialogue
• Habits
• What others say
• How other characters treat, respond to
Ways of showing character ::
AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
• Names
• Physical features/ characteristics
• Clothing, dress
• Possessions
• Actions, choices, decisions
• Dialogue
• Habits
• What others say
• How other characters treat, respond to
• Self-portrait, thoughts