Setting and Characterization

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 context of words used to describe character

- is 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 (difference is ironic)

analysis of characters should include…        motivation, conflict, tone, irony, changes

archetype examples        - 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