Setting and Characterization

types of conflict        

person v. person (rivals, foils)

father figure

strong, male presence who sets example for hero

setting

context in time and place in which the action of a story occurs

round character

complex, fully developed, responsible for or closely involved in the action

flat

barely developed, stereotypical

foil

supporting character whose role is to highlight a major character through contrast

dynamic

characterized by constant change, activity, or progress throughout the story

static

remains unchanged

protagonist

main character

antagonist

opposes the protagonist (and more interesting tbh)

direct characterization

author directly states a character's traits

indirect characterization

- shows character's traits through actions, appearance, private thoughts, speech, others' perceptions of the character

types of conflict

- person v. person (rivals, foils)

person v. self

(internal conflict, motivations, desires)

-person v. environment

(setting, forces of nature, socio-economics, politics, biology)

person v. destiny

(purpose, aspirations, transcendence, self-actualization)

epic

embodies the greatest characteristics of a certain culture

tragic

tragic hero is a person with outstanding quality, greatness, and honor but ultimately suffers a reversal of fortune

how to analyze characters?

- look at their diction
- consider the context of words used to describe character
- is the narrator omniscient (all-knowing) and why does the narrator describe the character's personal life,
-find differences in public perception of character and how character chooses to express themself (the difference is ironic)

analysis of characters should include

motivation, conflict, tone, irony, changes

mother figure:

comforts/guides kid

father figure

strong, male presence who sets example for hero

teacher

wise elder, helps protect character from challenges

the innocent

mature child who provides insight by questioning their environment, inexperienced adult ignorant, naïve, repressed, or in denial, maiden innocence, beauty, desire

underdog

character who struggles with weakness and has to overcome personal or societal adversity

star crossed lovers

two characters are engaged in a love affair that is fated to end in tragedy for one or both due to the disapproval of society, friends, family, or the gods

scapegoat

one who gets blamed for everything, regardless of whether they are at fault

temptress

characterized by sensuous beauty, she is one whose physical - attraction may bring about the hero's downfall

damsel in distress:

vulnerable woman must be rescued by the hero

devil figure

character represents evil personified