Characters

Characters

A character is a person, animal, being, creature, or thing in a story. Writers use characters to perform the actions and speak dialogue, moving the story along a plot line.

Protagonist: The leading character or one of the major characters in a novel.

Antagonist: A person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something; an adversary.

Side-kick: (Side character) Is a supporting character which is not the focus of the primary storyline, but appears or is mentioned in the story enough to be more than just a minor character.

Dynamic character: Is one who goes through some sort of change; they show character development. A protagonist is usually a dynamic character.

Static characters: Are those characters who do not change throughout the story. They serve to show contrast to dynamic ones.

Round characters: Are fully developed figures in a story. More realistic and complex, and show a true depth of personality.

Flat characters: Have little to no complex emotions, motivations, or personality. They don’t undergo change to make them more well-rounded.

Stock characters: Is a stereotypical fictional character whom audiences recognise from frequent recurrences in a particular literary tradition. They are archetypal characters distinguished by their simplification and flatness. Stock characters are based on clichés and social prejudices - “The dumb blonde,” “The evil stepmother.”

In literature, characters guide the reader through their stories, helping them to understand plots and ponder themes. Even the most plot-driven book needs a group of well-rounded characters.