introduction to characterization

What happened to you Mr. White? If the character and their motives are

believable, we follow the plot. For. Years.Plot & Character 2. ENGL 151L 1

Characterization

In Essay #2, due at the end of Week 6, we compare and contrast how any two pieces studied so far use one element. An element great to focus on in plays and short stories is Characterization.

Plot & Character 2. ENGL 151L 2

The Challenge

Writers have a real challenge. With words alone they try to create characters who are distinguishable from each other and consistent. But they have to be interesting too, which means they have to change. That change must be believable. And so we need to know their motives and to see deep enough into their hearts and minds to believe they can change. Writers are psychologists, philosophers, sociologists and historians all rolled into one. Critics are still studying and readers still enjoying Jane Austin. Because she made it seem easy. Other writers hate that. Not really. Well on some days, really.


http://www.jasna.org/

Plot and Character not working together

TV plots rich in action & carnage can interfere with plausible Character development. Those dramatic and deadly finales boost ratings though. In TV, plot is often king (and sits on the iron throne).

But many viewers critique TV shows based on how believable the characters are. And they may not like it when a character changes suddenly to suit the plot.

Walking Dead fans joke that if a character suddenly becomes much more sympathetic and likable, they have a week to live. Maybe two.

Plot & Character 2. ENGL 151L

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In the episodes before she dies, Andrea from The Walking Dead got a quick character make-over. Re-united with the group that had left her behind, she was risking her life to protect them from the “Governor.” We loved her again. Her last scene was all the more tragic and dramatic.

The Precipitating Event opens the door for change

Crisis brings out the best or the worst in a character. Jane Fonda playing Nora in A Doll’s House.

As the Intro to Plot lecture mentioned, Stephen King said he starts his books by simply putting a character in a situation. Breaking Bad opens with a high school teacher receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis. This precipitating event starts the ball rolling on massive changes in his life. For Nora in A Doll’s House it’s an extortion threat from the aptly named Krogstad.


Motive, Free Will & Character

Fans of Breaking Bad enjoyed debating Mr. White’s true motives. He turned to dealing drugs because he wanted to leave something for his family. But does he continue in the criminal life for that reason? Or does he enjoy the excitement and power? Did the diagnosis bring out a hidden part of him?

That’s part of what makes him interesting. We wonder who he is at his core – a caring father and husband, a bold battler who loves living on the edge. Or both.

What makes a person change, or resist change? How do different people deal with crisis, threat, opportunity and gifts? Do we discover ourselves or make ourselves as we deal with life’s hills and valleys?



Names & nicknames

Names suggest character. Darth Vader. Heisenberg. Walter White. AlbusDumbledore. Mary Poppins. Squeakie. Maxson. Krogstad. Gradgrind. Performers may change their names to fit the public persona they want to present. John Legend was born John Stephens. Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson.

Action under pressure

The way a character deals with obstacles & conflicts reveals much, maybe even to the character themselves, as is true with life.

Thoughts In fiction, some types of narration let us hear characters’ thoughts. In plays, monologues may do the same. We learn of fears, doubts, hopes, dreams, biases, delusions, realizations, etc.

Physical appearance

“Physical descriptions can indicate important inner qualities” (Meyer 115) as well as emotional states: a smile, a laugh, a blush, a nervous tic, posture, clothes, body language.

What others say

The narrator may tell us what to think of a character. (This is more common in 19th Century Lit, when values were clear and agreed upon.) Other characters opinions and reactions tell us a lot too.

Influences In memories or flashbacks we learn who & what shaped a character.

The Main Ways Writers Bring Characters to Life

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albus_Dumbledore

And of course facial expressions


Find a Face

For 10 Bonus Points, locate in any piece we’ve read so far a good description of a character’s facial expressions and/or body language. Here is Dickens value-laden description of Ebenezer Scrooge:

Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grind-stone, Scrooge! a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster. The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shrivelled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips blue; and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice. A frosty rime was on his head, and on his eyebrows, and his wiry chin. He carried his own low temperature always about with him; he iced his office in the dogdays; and didn't thaw it one degree at Christmas.


Types of CharactersOpen to interpretation and debate (in an essay perhaps)

The Type Description Examples

Dynamic/Round

“Undergoes some kind of change because of the action of the plot” (Meyers). Interesting. Theyraise questions we want answered. May surprise.

Troy Maxson, Rose Maxson, Cory, Torvald, Nora, Krogstad (?)

Static/Flat Does not change. Could still be interesting. May have one or two qualities easily summarized. May change somewhat but not surprise.

Gabriel, Dr. Rank, Mrs. Linde, Bono, Forrest Gump (?)

A Foil A static character who provides a contrast toanother character (usually a dynamic one).

Jim Bono, Dr. Rank, Mrs. Linde

Stock Stereotypes, usually in “formula” fiction (e.g., detective, romance, sci-fi). The tough cop, mean boss, goofy grandparent, loyal servant, sadistic drill sergeant, snarky android. With of a good writer / actor stock characters can come alive.

Helene the maid, Anne-Marie the “nurse” (nanny)


Plot & Character Work TogetherFrom Intro to Plot lecture

In addition to creating excitement for the reader, plot creates opportunity for the characters to show who they are. Just as in life, conflicts and obstacles force people to act (or fail to act, which also has consequences that can change them). How they act reveals who they are – to themselves, others characters, and us. Their actions move the story forward, leading to more opportunities for change.

In Fences Rose and Troy face several conflicts. Two are with each other, over their son Cory’s desire to play sports and an affair. Others are with inner demons and outer forces. How they act and react to these conflicts makes them dynamic, three-dimensional people. And the pressures of the plot make the roles attractive to the best actors.

In A Doll’s House Nora’s debt problem becomes a crisis when the man she owes the debt to threatens blackmail. How she overcomes this obstacle reveals and deepens her character. The way Torvald reacts when he finds out about the debt reveals his character in turn. To Nora it’s a shock that leads to a revelation in her and the play’s controversial climax.


Questions for use in an Essay Comparing & Contrasting characters

• Looking at slide 10. what types of characters are in your 2 pieces?• Looking at slide 7, what characterization methods do your 2 pieces use

most? • In which piece did the characters feel more believable? Why? (Pinpoint a

scene.)• How are the main characters of the two pieces the same? Different?• Is there a foil character in each who helps highlight the main characters’

qualities? (Your whole essay could focus on foil characters.) • How much are the characters shaped by their time and place? Who is the

most affected by setting? The least? Why?• What’s obstacles or conflicts reveal the main characters’ true self? • Which ending was more plausible, based on what we know of the

characters?• Is there a character in a piece I know well who reminds me of the characters

in my main pieces? Can I bring in that 3rd piece for up to 25 Bonus Points? (All media qualify: Books, films, TV series, story-driven video games, etc.)


Tips for an Essay focused on Characterization

• Use terms and ideas from the related lectures and reading. Show your knowledge.

• Be specific and concrete. When making general statements, give examples. Use the phrase “for example” often.

• Plot and character go hand in hand. If focusing on one, consider a section on the other, adding more depth to the essay.

• You do not have to love the pieces you choose for your essay. I respect when students express critical opinions. It’s often easier to write a critical essay than a praising one. Read movie and book reviews. You’ll see many have a mix of positive and negative.

• Start early. Get a rough Intro or even more posted for feedback from me.


Bonus Opportunity

Use the information on Slide 7 to analyze your favorite fictional character (from any medium). Give at least 2 specific examples. If using prose, quotes appreciated.

For up to 20 Bonus Points, make a chart as on Slide 10 of the characters in a book, TV series, or film / film franchise that you know well. If you feel you need a new category, make it and briefly explain it.


introduction to characterization

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