Fiction Characters Interactions

Read the following summary.

In the novel Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, Jane is an orphan girl who is mistreated by her aunt, Mrs. Reed. Mrs. Reed is rude to Jane and sends Jane away to a boarding school.

Based on the summary, why is Mrs. Reed the antagonist of the story?

• She is Jane Eyre’s aunt.

• She is the most important character in the book.

• She is unfeeling.

• She is in a conflict with Jane.

What is the role of a protagonist in a story?

• A protagonist is the main character in the story.

• A protagonist opposes the main character.

• A protagonist plays a minor role in a story.

• A protagonist provides comic relief.

Read the following summary.

In the novel Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, both Mr. Rochester and Jane Eyre are complex characters. He is a man who is moody and stern at first, but he turns out to be a kind person. Although she displays anger and frustration in the first part of the novel, Jane finally wins his heart with her brilliant wit.

Which type of character is Mr. Rochester?

• flat character

• dynamic character

• static character

• minor character

What is the definition of a dynamic character?

• a character that conforms to a standardized mental picture that is held in common by many people

• a character that experiences a shift in attitude during the course of a literary work

• a character that provides contrast to another character

• a character that does not have a major role in the story

What is an example of direct characterization?

• description of a character’s physical traits

• description of a character’s actions

• description of a character’s thoughts

• description of a character’s interactions

Read the passage.

“Hey Pat! Great to see you!” boomed Terrence, catching sight of Pat.

“Yeah,” Pat said without enthusiasm.

“Anything wrong Pat? You seem kind of quiet.”

“No, I’m fine…Well—I’m late to class,” replied Pat.

What is this conversation an example of?

• the writer telling the character’s thoughts through action

• the writer showing the relationship of the characters through dialog

• the writer explaining the character’s feelings through narration

• the writer showing the motivation of the characters through dialog

What is true of a flat character?

• The character’s behavior changes throughout the story.

• The character always represents the “good” character in the story.

• The character’s behavior is easy to predict.

• The character is motivated by complex emotions.

Notice the format of this passage from William Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet.

NURSE: His name is Romeo, and a Montague;

The only son of your great enemy.

JULIET: My only love sprung from my only hate!

Too early seen unknown, and known too late!

Prodigious birth of love it is to me,

That I must love a loathed enemy.

What is this passage an example of?

• indirect characterization through the characters’ action

• indirect characterization through the characters’ dialog

• direct characterization through the narrator’s description

• indirect characterization through the characters’ thoughts

What is the definition of a round character?

• a character with certain physical attributes

• a character with complex personality traits

• a character that acts predictably throughout the story

• a character whose actions conflict with the main character

How does a writer show indirect characterization?

• through the character’s actions

• through the character’s feelings

• through the character’s interactions

• all of the above