Character and Characterisation

Introduction

When we finish a great story, it is often the characters that stay with us long after we have forgotten the details of the plot. Characters are the heart of fiction; they are the beings whose struggles, desires, and decisions drive the narrative forward and give it meaning. Characterisation is the art and craft of how an author creates, develops, and reveals a character's personality to the reader. Understanding the techniques of characterisation is essential for any deep analysis of literature. This article will explore the different types of characters and the methods authors use to bring them to life.

Learning objectives

After reading this article, you should be able to:

• Define characterisation and explain its importance in storytelling.
• Distinguish between direct and indirect characterisation.
• Analyse the five key methods of indirect characterisation (STEAL).
• Differentiate between flat and round characters, and static and dynamic characters.
• Understand common character archetypes like the protagonist and antagonist.

The Two Main Techniques: Direct vs. Indirect Characterisation

Authors have two primary tools at their disposal to reveal a character's personality.

• Direct Characterisation: This is the most straightforward method. The author, through the narrator, simply tells the reader what a character is like. The author acts as a guide, explicitly stating the character's traits.
• Example: "Mr. Smith was a cruel and selfish man. He cared for no one but himself."
• Direct characterisation is efficient and clear, but it can sometimes feel less engaging for the reader because it leaves little room for interpretation.
• Indirect Characterisation: This is a more subtle and often more powerful method. Instead of telling the reader about a character, the author shows the character's personality through their actions and interactions. The reader must then act like a detective, using these clues to infer the character's traits.
• Example: "Mr. Smith walked past the homeless man shivering on the street, pulled his own expensive coat tighter, and sneered."
• This example doesn't tell us Mr. Smith is cruel and selfish, but it shows us through his actions, allowing us to draw that conclusion ourselves. This is often more compelling and memorable.

The Five Methods of Indirect Characterisation (STEAL)

A helpful acronym for remembering the five main methods of indirect characterisation is STEAL:

• S - Speech: What does the character say, and how do they say it? Do they use formal language or slang? Do they talk a lot or are they quiet? Their dialogue can reveal their level of education, their social status, and their inner feelings.
• T - Thoughts: What are the character's private thoughts and feelings? When a narrator gives us access to a character's inner world, we learn about their motivations, fears, and secret desires that they might not express outwardly.
• E - Effect on Others: How do other characters in the story react to this character? Are they loved, feared, respected, or ignored? The way others behave around them can be a very telling clue about their personality.
• A - Actions: What does the character do? Their behaviour is often the most important indicator of their personality. Actions speak louder than words. A character might say they are brave, but do their actions support this?
• L - Looks: What does the character look like? Their physical appearance, their clothing, their body language, and their facial expressions can all provide clues about their personality, lifestyle, and emotional state.

Types of Characters: Round vs. Flat

Characters can also be classified based on their complexity. The novelist E.M. Forster introduced the terms "round" and "flat" characters.

• Round Characters: These are complex, multi-dimensional characters, just like real people. They have a range of emotions, they have both strengths and weaknesses, and they are capable of surprising us. The protagonist of a story is almost always a round character.
• Flat Characters: These are simple, one-dimensional characters. They are often defined by a single trait or role (e.g., the "nosy neighbour" or the "wise old mentor"). Flat characters are not necessarily bad characters; they serve a purpose in the story, often to advance the plot or to highlight a quality in the protagonist, but they are not the focus.

Character Development: Dynamic vs. Static

Another way to categorise characters is by whether they change over the course of the story.

• Dynamic Characters: These characters undergo a significant internal change in their personality, beliefs, or outlook as a result of the events of the plot. This change is often the central point of the story. A classic example is Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, who transforms from a selfish miser into a generous and kind man.
• Static Characters: These characters remain essentially the same from the beginning of the story to the end. They do not experience a major internal transformation. The antagonist and many flat characters are often static.

Common Character Roles (Archetypes)

In most stories, characters fit into certain classic roles or archetypes:

• Protagonist: The main character of the story. The plot revolves around them, and they are the one the reader is usually meant to sympathise with.
• Antagonist: The character or force that opposes the protagonist and creates the central conflict of the story. The antagonist is not always an evil villain; they can simply be a character with goals that are in direct opposition to the protagonist's.
• Foil: A character who contrasts with the protagonist in order to highlight particular qualities of the main character. For example, a cautious and timid character might be a foil to a brave and reckless protagonist.

Summary

Characterisation is the process by which an author breathes life into the people of their story. Through the techniques of direct and indirect characterisation (STEAL), authors reveal a character's personality, motivations, and values. Understanding the different types of characters—whether they are round or flat, dynamic or static—and their roles in the narrative allows us as readers to gain a deeper insight into their struggles and to better understand the story's ultimate meaning and theme.

Discussion questions

• Think of your favourite character from a book or movie. Are they a round or flat character? Are they dynamic or static? Explain your answer.
• Which method of indirect characterisation (Speech, Thoughts, Effect on others, Actions, or Looks) do you find to be the most effective in revealing a character's true nature?
• Why do you think authors often use indirect characterisation instead of just telling us directly what a character is like?
• Can a story have a compelling plot without compelling characters? Why or why not?