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Character Analysis

Analyze characters in terms of their relationships and the conflicts those relationships cause.

Character Analysis Graphic Organizer

Flat/Round, Static/Dynamic character Analysis

HERO FOOL SAINT SINNER CHARACTER GRAPH

Character Comparison Venn Diagram

Characters CONFLICT with / RELATE to…

• SELF (internal conflict, values, motivations, desires)
• OTHERS (doppelgangers, foils, rivals, allies)
• ENVIRONMENT (setting, forces of nature, socio-economics, politics, biology)
• DESTINY (purpose, aspirations, transcendence, self-actualization)

Conflict always results in CHANGE.

Characters either SUBMIT to or REBEL against these changes.

Analyze characters in terms of how they CONTRADICT themselves.

Analyze characters in terms of the narrator’s TONE (attitude) toward them.

• Look closely at the DICTION (word choice) the narrator uses.
• Consider the CONNOTATIONS of the words the narrator uses to describe the character.
• Is the narrator OMNISCIENT? If so, why does the narrator report that character’s interior life?
• Look for the difference between how a character perceives or expresses himself and the narrator’s attitude toward that character. That difference is IRONIC.

Is the narrator positive, negative, or neutral toward the character?

Does the narrator consider the character a hero or a fool? A saint or a sinner? A hypocrite?

Is the narrator reliable?

A "Prescription" for character analysis:

Developmental

Relational

Unintentional

Givens