Static vs. Dynamic Characters

Static characters are -

• Characters that stay the same throughout the plot of a text; They don't go through a personality change

• Characters that change throughout the plot of a text

• Characters that have more than one personality trait

Dynamic characters are -

• Characters that stay the same throughout the plot of a text; They don't undergo a personality change

• Characters that change throughout the plot of a text; They are not the same person at the beginning of the story vs the end of the story

• Characters that engage in a conflict in a text

• Characters that have 1-2 personality traits in a story

Ricky plays soccer every day and practices so he can improve. He watches soccer, reads about soccer, eats, sleeps and breathes soccer. A new kid joins the team and takes over. He becomes the star and steals the spotlight from Ricky every time. Ricky is jealous and starts to slip up in every game. He stops practicing. He loses confidence in himself and quits the team.

• Ricky is an example of a static character.

• Ricky is an example of a dynamic character.

• Ricky is neither a static or dynamic character.

Miranda moves to the United States as a refugee. Her family has seen death and she is very afraid. She doesn't know the language or the customs. She doesn't talk for 3 months. One day, she drops the pencil sharpener in French class and a kind classmate helps her clean up. "Thank you," Miranda says. The classmate, John, asks Miranda on a date. Miranda begins to speak English and starts to love her new home.

• Miranda is an example of a static character.

• Miranda is an example of a dynamic character.

• Miranda is neither a static or dynamic character.

Angel and Brian are twins. They dress the same, they play the same video games, read the same books and have the same friends. When they begin freshman year of high school, Brian decides to dye his hair green. He starts to wear all black clothes. He makes new friends and they play Dungeons and Dragons together. Angel tries to invite Brian to play video games with him and their old friends, but Brian wants to hang out with his new friends instead.

• Angel is an example of a static character, and Brian is a dynamic character.

• Brian is an example of a static character, and Angel is a dynamic character.

• Angel and Brian are both dynamic characters.

• Angel and Brian are both static characters.

Joe never worked hard in school. One year, he realized that his favorite cousin, who he always looked up to, was 22 and still living in his parents house, going to high school parties. Joe got his life on track and started getting straight A's. Joe is a -

• Static character

• Dynamic character

Which scenario would make someone a dynamic character? 

• A character breaks her arm

• A character cuts his hair

• A character gains a new perspective on life

• A character dies by the end of the story

In this story, Bryan is the main character’s brother. At the beginning of the story, he makes fun of the main character because of her hair cut. At the end of the story, he continues to make fun of the character. Bryan is most likely a -

• static character

• dynamic character

• flat character

• protagonist

Which scenario would make someone a static character?

• A protagonist becomes more powerful and knowledgeable over time

• A protagonist starts off as a good character, but becomes evil

• An antagonist eventually becomes kind

• An antagonist remains evil throughout the story

At the beginning of the story, Jason has low self-esteem and no friends. He is very depressed. Then he tries out for the baseball team and gradually develops skills and confidence. By the end of the story he has completely changed. He now has many friends and is much happier. Jason is a -

• dynamic character

• static character

• antagonist

• flat character