Character
Christina Powers
Osceola High School
English II 2008
What is a character?
• A character is an individual in a story,
poem, or play.
– A character always has human traits, even if
the character is an animal or object.
The Main Character
• The main character of a story is
called the PROTAGONIST.
• How to remember this definition:
PRO means “for”. We are “for”
this character to win.
Antagonist
• The character who works against
the protagonist is called the
ANTAGONIST.
• How to remember this definition:
ANT means “against”. We are
“against” this character.
Other Types of
Characters
• Characters may be categorized
by whether or not they change
during the course of the story.
Dynamic Character
– Dynamic characters change in some
important way as a result of the story’s
action. They are usually the main
characters.
• They come to a new understanding,
make some important decision, or take
a crucial action.
Static Character
– do not change much in the
course of the story. They are
usually background characters.
Round/Flat Characters
• Round character
– one that has many sides to his/her personality.
– Usually one of the main characters
• Flat character
– one with little to no personality.
– Not usually a main character
Stock Character
• Stock character
– A stereotype character
– Can be taken “off a shelf” and inserted
into a story.
Types of Conflict
• Struggle or clash between opposing
characters, forces, or emotions
– External Conflict
– Internal Conflict
External Conflict
• A character
struggles against
an outside force.
– Another character
– Society
– Nature
Internal Conflict
• A struggle between
opposing needs,
desires, or
emotions within a
single character.
– Decision making
– feelings
What Have You Learned?
1. _______ is the main character.
Protagonist
2. _______ opposed the main character.
Antagonist
3. _______ character changes in some way
Dynamic
during the story.
4. _______ character does not change.
Static
5. _______ conflict occurs within one
Internal
character.
6. _______ conflict occurs outside a
External
character.
The End