Types of Character

Types of Character

What is a character?

A character is a person, animal, being, creature, or thing in a story.

We will study 8 types of character...

• Protagonist

• Antagonist

• Sympathetic Characters

• Minor Characters

And...

• Round Characters

• Flat Characters

• Dynamic Characters

• Static Characters

Poll

How many of these character types can you already define?

• 1-2

• 3-4

• 4-5

• 6-8

The Protagonist

• The main character

• The story revolves around this character

• Sometimes referred to as the "hero" or "good guy"

• The one who is trying to accomplish a goal.

The Protagonist

• The protagonist can be and is often the narrator.

• The protagonist is not always the most liked character, but is still the protagonist because the story is mainly about him or her.

• Example: The Grinch

The Antagonist

• The antagonist acts against the protagonist.

• The antagonist creates problems that prevent the protagonist from reaching his/her goal.

• Not necessarily the "bad guy" or villain

• It can be one person or a group of people.

Multiple Choice

Which of these characters is a protagonist?

Round Characters

• We know a lot about them

• Round characters are multi-dimensional just like real people

• We see many sides and emotions of this character

• Usually a protagonist and/or antagonist

Flat Characters

• A flat character is not well-developed

• Few character traits are shown

• Often fits into stereotypes

• We don't know much about them

Dynamic Characters

• A character that undergoes an emotional or mental change by the end of the story.

• It may be a simple shift in attitude or a complete turnaround.

• The change can be for better or worse.

Static Characters

• This character stays the same over the course of the story.

• This character does not learn a lesson.

• This character is probably a flat character also.

Multiple Select

Which two types of character is Captain America?

• Round

• Flat

• Dynamic

• Static

Minor Characters

• Usually a flat and static character.

• Helps move the story along.

• Mentioned only briefly.

Sympathetic Characters

• A character we understand, sympathize, or relate to.

• This is a character the author wants us to identify with and feel for.

• It is easy to share the feelings of this character.

Multiple Choice

Which type of character is Black Panther's Killmonger?

Let's do some practice!

Multiple Choice

Joanna is an astronaut who has been sent to rescue several people from a spaceship that has broken down just outside of Earth's orbit. She faces many challenges and has a limited amount of time. Joanna is the ...

• antagonist

• protagonist

• flat

• static

Multiple Choice

At the beginning of the story, Tina wants to quit her dance team because another girl made a mean comment about her dancing. At the end of the story, Tina is the captain of the dance team and goes out of her way to make everyone feel like they belong. Tina is...

• static

• round

• flat

• dynamic

Multiple Choice

At the protagonist's school, there is a greeter named Mrs. Robinson. The protagonist greets her every morning, but otherwise doesn't interact with her. Mrs.Robinson is...

• a minor character

• a sympathetic character

• the antagonist

• a dynamic character

Multiple Choice

Kathy has missed her bus and must find a way to get home before her little sister so that she can get into the house. Kathy is most likely the...

• antagonist

• protagonist

• flat character

• static character

Multiple Choice

Thomas is the protagonist's next door neighbor. Thomas is about fourteen and he thinks the protagonist is a nice kid. Other than that, the reader doesn't know much about him. Thomas is most likely...

• a dynamic character

• a static character

• a flat character

• a static character