Literary Character Analysis Quiz

Analyzing a Literary Character

• To analyze a literary character, examine the means used by the author to present the character and find out what makes them special.

Preparation

• Read the task to identify the character to be examined.
• Study the text carefully and highlight or underline information about the character.
• Take notes on the character's:
  • Name, gender, age, ethnicity, origin, and religion
  • Family and social status
  • Profession and general situation
  • Outward appearance, behavior, and way of speaking/thinking
  • Attitudes, values, and character traits
  • Interests, ambitions, and aims
  • Relationships and conflicts

Characterization Techniques

• Direct characterization: narrator directly tells the reader about the character
• Indirect characterization: author describes the character's appearance, background, experiences, attitudes, and behavior, leaving the reader to draw their own conclusions

Narrative Techniques

• First-/third-person narrator: affects the reader's perception of the character
• (Un)reliable narrator: may lack objectivity in presenting the character
• Limited/unlimited point of view: affects the reader's understanding of the character
• Scenic/panoramic presentation: author's use of descriptive language to convey the character's traits
• Flashback and foreshadowing: techniques used to convey the character's experiences and motivations

Analysis

• Describe the character's traits, experiences, behavior, motivations, attitudes, and values in detail
• Examine the narrative technique, stylistic devices, and language used to portray the character
• Identify whether the narrator is reliable or unreliable
• Provide text evidence to support analysis
• Examine the character's role in the excerpt and their relationships with other characters