Part II, Chapter 3: Characters: The People in Fiction

In literature, a character is a verbal representation of a human being.

A trait is a quality of mind or habitual mode of behavior that is evident in both positive and negative ways...

Dynamic characters recognize, change with, or adjust to circumstances.

Because a round character plays a major role in a story, he or she is often called the hero or heroine.

Because a round character plays a major role in a story, he or she is often called the hero or heroine.

Some round characters are not particularly heroic, however, so it is preferable to use the more neutral word protagonist (the "first actor").

The protagonist is central to the action, moves against an antagonist (the "opposing actor"), and exhibits the ability to adapt to new situations.

Most flat characters end pretty much where they begin, and for this reason we may think of them as static, not dynamic.

They must be strong, tough, and clever enough to perform recurring tasks such as solving a crime, boxing with the major character, overcoming a villain, or finding a treasure. The term stock character is often used to describe characters in these repeating situations.

To the degree that stock characters have many common traits, they are representative of their class or group.

Because they possess no attitudes except those of their class, they are often called stereotype characters, or characters who all seem to have been cast in the same mold.

Characters in fiction should be true to life. Therefore their actions, statements, and thoughts must all be what human beings are likely to do, say, and think under the conditions presented in the literary work. This is the standard of verisimilitude, probability, or plausibility.

Characters in fiction should be true to life. Therefore their actions, statements, and thoughts must all be what human beings are likely to do, say, and think under the conditions presented in the literary work. This is the standard of verisimilitude, probability, or plausibility.

Characters in fiction should be true to life. Therefore their actions, statements, and thoughts must all be what human beings are likely to do, say, and think under the conditions presented in the literary work. This is the standard of verisimilitude, probability, or plausibility.