elements of fiction: character

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


Conflict :: Character v. character




• Julian v. his mother




• Norma Jean v. Leroy




• Norma Jean v. Leroy

• Norma Jean v. her mother

Conflict :: Character v. external forces




• Leroy and Norma Jean v. Randy’s death




• Leroy and Norma Jean v. Leroy’s accident





• Olenka v. Fate





• Olenka v. Fate

• Wing v. societal norms

Conflict :: Character v. internal forces




• Eveline v. guilt, love, responsibility




• Julian v. ego, blindness to reality




• 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


Climax ::


Climax ::


• Eveline’s inability to act

Climax ::



• Julian’s recognition of his dependence

Climax ::




• Norma Jean grasping her independence

Climax ::




• 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


Unity ::Need for unity is greatest in presentation of character. Characters must be plausible, command reader’s belief.


Significance ::We’re most interested in people. The meaning we take from stories concerns human nature, human conduct.


Types ::


Types ::


• Flat

Types ::


• Flat

• Stock

Types ::


• Flat

• Stock

• Static

Types ::


Types ::


• Round/Complex

Types ::


• Round/Complex

• Wide range of emotions

Types ::


• Round/Complex


• Contradictions, self-doubts, indecision

Types ::


• Round/Complex



• Characteristics that mark them as unique individuals

Types ::


• Round/Complex



• Characteristics that mark them as unique individuals

• Dynamic

Methods :: Author’s toolbox




• Direct characterization—telling




• What the narrative voice tells readers about the character




• What the narrative voice tells readers about the character

“Ted Lavender…was scared”



• Indirect characterization—showing




• What the dramatized scenes show us about character




• 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 ::




• Names



• Names

• Physical features/ characteristics



• Names


• Clothing, dress



• Names


• Clothing, dress

• Possessions



• Names


• Clothing, dress

• Possessions

• Actions, choices, decisions



• Names


• Clothing, dress

• Possessions


• Dialogue



• Names


• Clothing, dress

• Possessions


• Dialogue

• Habits



• Names


• Clothing, dress

• Possessions


• Dialogue

• Habits

• What others say



• Names


• Clothing, dress

• Possessions


• Dialogue

• Habits

• What others say

• How other characters treat, respond to



• Names


• Clothing, dress

• Possessions


• Dialogue

• Habits

• What others say

• How other characters treat, respond to

• Self-portrait, thoughts

elements of fiction: character

Education