Characters are the lifeblood of storytelling. They bring themes to life, making abstract ideas tangible through their actions, thoughts, and growth. Writers use various techniques to craft compelling characters that resonate with readers.

Point of view shapes how we experience a story. It determines our level of intimacy with characters and events, influencing our understanding and emotional connection. The choice of perspective can dramatically impact a narrative's effectiveness and thematic depth.

Character Development Techniques

Methods of character development

• Direct characterization reveals traits, qualities, or attributes through explicit statements
  • Provided in narration, dialogue, or descriptions of characters (Atticus Finch described as a "man of strong moral character" in To Kill a Mockingbird)
  • Gives clear insight into a character's personality and motivations
• Indirect characterization reveals traits through a character's actions, thoughts, speech, or interactions
  • Requires reader to infer qualities based on presented evidence (In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield's cynical narration and interactions with others reveal his disillusionment and alienation)
  • Allows for more nuanced and complex character development
    • Speech shows how a character communicates and what they prioritize (Hamlet's soliloquies reveal his inner turmoil and indecisiveness)
    • Actions demonstrate behaviors and decision-making processes (In "The Lottery," Tessie Hutchinson's resistance to the ritual reveals her individualism and defiance of tradition)
    • Thoughts provide internal reactions and motivations (In "The Yellow Wallpaper," the narrator's increasingly erratic thoughts reflect her mental state and the oppressive nature of her situation)
    • Appearance hints at personality through physical descriptions (Jay Gatsby's lavish attire and mansion in The Great Gatsby symbolize his desire for wealth and status)
    • Reactions of others show how the character is perceived and treated (In "The Scarlet Ibis," the narrator's treatment of his brother Doodle reveals his own insecurities and resentment)

Point of View and Its Effects

Impact of point of view

• First-person point of view creates intimacy and subjectivity
  • Narration from a character's perspective using "I" or "we" (Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby)
  • Provides direct access to narrator's thoughts and experiences, but limited to their knowledge and perceptions
  • Can create unreliable narration and biased perspectives (The narrator in "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe)
• Third-person limited point of view offers a focused but more objective perspective
  • Narration refers to characters as "he," "she," or "they" and focuses on a single character's experiences (Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling)
  • Provides insight into the focal character's thoughts and feelings while maintaining some distance
  • Still limited to the knowledge and perceptions of the main character
• Third-person omniscient point of view provides a broad, all-knowing perspective
  • Narration refers to characters as "he," "she," or "they" and has access to multiple characters' thoughts and experiences (Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace)
  • Offers a comprehensive view of events and allows for greater flexibility in storytelling
  • Can provide insight into various characters' motivations and development

Effectiveness of viewpoint choices

• Chosen point of view impacts reader's understanding and connection to characters and events
  • First-person can create strong emotional bonds but may limit understanding of other characters (The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins)
  • Third-person limited can balance character development and plot progression (To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee)
  • Third-person omniscient can offer a wide scope but may reduce intimacy with individual characters (One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez)
• Point of view can enhance or detract from the story's impact and themes
  • Unreliable narration can create suspense or challenge reader's assumptions (Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk)
  • Limited perspectives can highlight the consequences of incomplete information or biases (Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen)
  • Omniscient narration can emphasize the interconnectedness of characters and events (Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie)

Characterization and Theme

Characterization and theme relationship

• Characters embody and illustrate the qualities, values, and beliefs that the story explores
  • Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird represents moral courage and integrity in the face of prejudice and injustice
  • The characters in The Great Gatsby symbolize the decadence and disillusionment of the Jazz Age
• Characters' actions and relationships can reinforce or challenge societal norms and expectations
  • Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice defies traditional gender roles and expectations of marriage
  • The characters in "The Lottery" blindly adhere to a cruel tradition, highlighting the dangers of conformity
• Character development throughout the story can parallel and deepen understanding of the theme
  • Scout's growth and loss of innocence in To Kill a Mockingbird mirrors the novel's exploration of racism and injustice
  • Gregor Samsa's transformation in The Metamorphosis reflects the theme of alienation and the human condition