Character Analysis in Literature

Study Notes

Analyzing characters involves understanding their motivations, actions, and relationships with others in the story.
Types of characters:
- Protagonist: main character, often heroic
- Antagonist: opposing character, often villainous
- Dynamic: characters who change throughout the story
- Static: characters who remain unchanged
- Foil: characters who contrast with another character
Character traits:
- Physical: appearance, abilities
- Personality: thoughts, feelings, behaviors
- Moral: values, ethics
Character development:
- Direct characterization: author explicitly states traits
- Indirect characterization: traits are inferred through actions, dialogue, etc.

Theme: underlying message or idea in the story
Identifying themes:
- Look for recurring ideas, motifs, or symbols
- Analyze characters' experiences and relationships
- Consider the author's purpose and historical context
Types of themes:
- Universal: applies to all people, e.g. love, identity
- Cultural: specific to a particular culture or group
- Social: related to societal issues, e.g. justice, equality
Theme development:
- Introduction: theme is introduced or hinted at
- Development: theme is explored and expanded
- Resolution: theme is resolved or concluded

Plot: sequence of events in the story
Exposition: setting, characters, and situation are introduced
Rising action: conflicts and challenges arise
Climax: turning point, most intense moment
Falling action: conflicts are resolved
Resolution: conclusion, outcome of the story
Plot types:
- Linear: chronological, straightforward
- Non-linear: non-chronological, uses flashbacks, etc.
- Episodic: series of loosely connected events

Author's purpose: the reason the author wrote the story
Identifying author's purpose:
- Look for tone, language, and themes
- Consider the author's background and historical context
- Analyze the text's structure and organization
Types of author's purpose:
- To entertain: engage readers, provide enjoyment
- To persuade: convince readers of a particular viewpoint
- To inform: educate readers on a topic or issue
- To explore: examine complex ideas or themes

Symbolism: using objects, colors, or other elements to represent abstract ideas
Identifying symbolism:
- Look for recurring objects, colors, or images
- Analyze the context and meaning of the symbol
- Consider the author's purpose and themes
Types of symbols:
- Object symbols: e.g. a rose representing love
- Color symbols: e.g. red representing passion
- Image symbols: e.g. a snake representing evil
Symbolism in narrative literature:
- Adds depth and meaning to the story
- Creates connections between characters and themes
- Enhances the reader's understanding and interpretation

Analyzing characters involves understanding their motivations, actions, and relationships with others in the story.
Types of characters include:
- Protagonist: main character, often heroic
- Antagonist: opposing character, often villainous
- Dynamic: characters who change throughout the story
- Static: characters who remain unchanged
- Foil: characters who contrast with another character
Character traits can be physical, personality, or moral, and can be revealed through:
- Direct characterization: author explicitly states traits
- Indirect characterization: traits are inferred through actions, dialogue, etc.

A theme is an underlying message or idea in the story.
Identifying themes involves:
- Looking for recurring ideas, motifs, or symbols
- Analyzing characters' experiences and relationships
- Considering the author's purpose and historical context
Themes can be universal, cultural, or social, and develop through:
- Introduction: theme is introduced or hinted at
- Development: theme is explored and expanded
- Resolution: theme is resolved or concluded

Author's purpose is the reason the author wrote the story, which can be:
- To entertain: engage readers, provide enjoyment
- To persuade: convince readers of a particular viewpoint
- To inform: educate readers on a topic or issue
- To explore: examine complex ideas or themes
Identifying author's purpose involves:
- Looking for tone, language, and themes
- Considering the author's background and historical context
- Analyzing the text's structure and organization

Symbolism is the use of objects, colors, or other elements to represent abstract ideas.
Identifying symbolism involves:
- Looking for recurring objects, colors, or images
- Analyzing the context and meaning of the symbol
- Considering the author's purpose and themes
Symbols can be objects, colors, or images and:
- Add depth and meaning to the story
- Create connections between characters and themes
- Enhance the reader's understanding and interpretation