Literature - Character
Desk
Literature desk: Character
Characterization is an essential component in literature. It is important you can explore the physical and personality traits of different characters and the way their actions affect the plot of the book.
It is in the initial stage where the writer introduces the main character with noticeable emergence and then following the introduction, the writer often talks about his behaviour; then as the story progresses, the thought-process of the character.
The next stage involves the character expressing his opinions and ideas and getting into conversations with the rest of the characters.
The final part shows how others in the story respond to the character’s personality.
Questions to answer for your book report: Character
- What is revealed through the protagonist’s speech?
- What is revealed through the protagonist’s thoughts?
- What is revealed through the protagonist’s appearance?
- What is revealed through what others say or think about the protagonist?
- What is revealed through the protagonist’s actions?
- Does the protagonist change during the story?
Does this change make the protagonist a dynamic character? How?
- What is revealed through the antagonist’s speech?
- What is revealed through the antagonist’s thoughts?
- What is revealed through the antagonist’s appearance?
- What is revealed through what others say or think about the antagonist?
- What is revealed through the antagonist’s actions?
- Is the antagonist a dynamic or static character and why?
- List the static characters and describe their role in the story.
Introduction
Introduction - Character
When you think of ‘character’ what do you think of? Is the person happy or not? is the person a main character, or a minor one? Does the character do things that surprise you? Why are you surprised? In this section we look at character in literature.
This section contains one step.
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Activity |
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- Which is not part of a character?
- Write about main or minor character in a book you read recently.
- Read Chapter 1 of "The Great Gatsby'.
- Describe and make notes on the characters in the book.
- Read the rest of the book and answer questions.
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Step
Which of the following is NOT part of ‘character’?
- behaviour
- motivation
- personality
- relationships with others
- the plot
- complexity of role
- difficulties that they encounter
- physical appearance
Think about books that you have read recently.
- Write down information about a main or minor character.
Use the list above to help you.
Read chapter 1 of 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott-Fiztgerald.
https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/
- Describe and make notes on the characters that we meet.
Read the rest of the book (click on each chapter).
- Choose one of these questions to answer about character.
The Great Gatsby
- Discuss Gatsby’s character, as Nick understands him throughout the novel.
What makes Gatsby “great”?
- What is Nick like as a narrator? Is he a reliable storyteller, or does his version of events seem suspect?
How do his qualities as a character affect his narration?
Answers
