Evaluating Literary Texts: Afro-Asian Literature and Characterization

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering the introduction to Afro-Asian literature, the Panchatantra, and the structural context of character and characterization.

Afro-Asian Literature

A term used to describe the spoken or written literary works, such as short stories and poems, by people from Africa and Asian.

Prose

A general classification of literature, either oral or written, that follows the natural flow of speech; it is the most common form of writing used in both fiction and non-fiction.

Panchatantra

A compilation of inter-woven series of tales in prose and poetry, mostly animal fables, compiled in Sanskrit (Hindu) and Pali (Buddhist).

Pandit Vishnu Sharma

The individual to whom the compilation of the Panchatantra is attributed.

3rd century BCE

The time period when most scholars believe the Panchatantra was compiled.

Character

A person, animal, being, creature, or thing represented in a story used to perform actions and speak dialogue.

Protagonist

The main character of a story who may face inner conflict or conflict with something natural; a story can be complete with only this character.

Antagonist

A character who interacts with the protagonist and causes a conflict for them.

Round

Fully developed personalities that are affected by the story's events and can learn, grow, or deteriorate by the end of the story.

Flat

A one-dimensional character.

Dynamic/Developing

A character who goes through change and "grows" during a story.

Static

A character who does not go through a change.

Characterization

The description of a character's physical traits, point of view, personality, private thoughts, and actions.

Methods of Characterization

The ways a character is revealed through physical appearance, their own thoughts/actions, or what others say and how they react to them.