Character%20Interactions

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Character Interactions
Feature Menu
Connecting with Characters Main
Characters Subordinate Characters Flat Characters
versus Round Characters Dynamic Characters versus
Static Characters Conflict Motivation Practice
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Connecting with Characters
What draws readers into a story?
Vivid, complex characters whose problems and
triumphs draw forth our emotions and reveal some
truth about humankind.
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Main Characters
Protagonistthe main character of a story.

• The action of the story revolves around the
  protagonist and the conflict he or she faces.

Antagonistthe character or force the protagonist
struggles against and must overcome.
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Subordinate Characters
Subordinate characters add depth and
complication to the plot.
Main character
Friends
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Flat Characters versus Round Characters
Flat characters

• have only one or two character traits that can be
  described in a few words

• have no depth, like a piece of cardboard

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Flat Characters versus Round Characters
Round characters

• have many different character traits that
  sometimes contradict each other

• are much like real people, with several sides to
  their personality

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Dynamic Characters versus Static Characters
Dynamic characters

• change or grow as a result of the storys actions

• learn something about themselves, other people,
  or the world as they struggle to resolve their
  conflicts

The changes that a dynamic character undergoes
contribute to the meaning of the story.
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Dynamic Characters versus Static Characters
Static characters

• do not change or grow

• are the same at the end of a story as they were
  in the beginning

Subordinate characters are often static
characters.
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Conflict
External conflictstruggle between a character
and an outside force.

• character versus character

• character versus society

• character versus nature

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Conflict
Internal conflictstruggle between opposing needs
or desires or emotions within a character.

• character versus himself

• character versus herself

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Conflict
Quick Check
What type of conflict does the character face?
Yall git some stones, commanded Joey now and
was met with instant giggling obedience as
everyone except me began to gather pebbles from
the dusty ground. Come on, Lizabeth. I just
stood there peering through the bushes, torn
between wanting to join the fun and feeling that
it was a bit silly. from Marigolds by Eugenia
W. Collier
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Conflict
Quick Check
What type of conflict does the character face?
Yall git some stones, commanded Joey now and
was met with instant giggling obedience as
everyone except me began to gather pebbles from
the dusty ground. Come on, Lizabeth. I just
stood there peering through the bushes, torn
between wanting to join the fun and feeling that
it was a bit silly. from Marigolds by Eugenia
W. Collier
Internal conflict. She has to decide whether to
join in or not.
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Motivation
Motivationwhat drives a characters actions. It

• explains behaviors

• reveals personality

• is often based on characters fears, conflicts,
  needs

Motivation can be inferred by observing
characters behavior, speech, actions.
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Practice

• Protagonist

Think of a story youve read in
which the protagonist faces powerful conflicts.
Use a chart like the one here to map out the
conflicts and their resolutions, as well as the
protagonists motivations.

• Motivation

• Motivation

• Internal Conflict

• External conflict and antagonist

• Resolution

• Resolution

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The End