Point of View andCharacterization

Point of View andCharacterization

How authors use these to mold their writing

How authors use these to mold their writing

“Point of view is the most complex element of

fiction…It is a relationship among writer, character,

and reader.”-Janet Burroway

“Point of view is the most complex element of

fiction…It is a relationship among writer, character,

and reader.”-Janet Burroway

Preface: Types of characters

Preface: Types of characters

Protagonist Who the story is about Often the “good guy” Usually changes with the

climax

Protagonist Who the story is about Often the “good guy” Usually changes with the

climax Antagonist

The character or force who is working against the protagonist.

Often the “bad guy”

Antagonist The character or force who is

working against the protagonist.

Often the “bad guy”

Protagonist examplesProtagonist examples

To Kill a Mockingbird? Atticus Finch

Two Friends? Morrisot and Sauvage

Star Wars? Darth Vader / Anakin Skywalker

To Kill a Mockingbird? Atticus Finch

Two Friends? Morrisot and Sauvage

Star Wars? Darth Vader / Anakin Skywalker

Antagonist examplesAntagonist examples

To Kill a Mockingbird? Bob Ewell – utter disregard for other

people

Two Friends ? The Prussians

Star Wars ? Debatable: could be the Emperor, the

Dark Side, etc.

To Kill a Mockingbird? Bob Ewell – utter disregard for other

people

Two Friends ? The Prussians

Star Wars ? Debatable: could be the Emperor, the

Dark Side, etc.

PART 1: Point of View Basics

PART 1: Point of View Basics

POV is the perspective that a story is told in. How a story is told

JD from Scrubs

Stories are told in first or third person POV.

POV is the perspective that a story is told in. How a story is told

JD from Scrubs

Stories are told in first or third person POV.

First Person POV First Person POV

Told from the perspective of someone involved in the story.

Narrator refers to him/herself as “I”.

Often protagonist of story.

Told from the perspective of someone involved in the story.

Narrator refers to him/herself as “I”.

Often protagonist of story.

Pros: Creates sense

of intimacy with reader.

Story directed at us.

Cons: We only see

that person’s thoughts.

Is the narrator reliable? Are they lying?

Pros: Creates sense

of intimacy with reader.

Story directed at us.

Cons: We only see

that person’s thoughts.

Is the narrator reliable? Are they lying?

Third Person POVThird Person POV

Narrator is not part of story.

Use pronouns like “he, she, his, hers, it,” or “they.”

“Fly on the wall” storytelling Typically

unbiased; neutral narrator

Narrator is not part of story.

Use pronouns like “he, she, his, hers, it,” or “they.”

“Fly on the wall” storytelling Typically

unbiased; neutral narrator

Ex: On his hands and knees, the curator froze, turning his head slowly.

-The Da Vinci Code

Ex: On his hands and knees, the curator froze, turning his head slowly.

-The Da Vinci Code

Two types of Third Person POV

Two types of Third Person POV

Limited Narrator focuses on one

central character.Often protagonist“Inside” character

Omniscient Can see into thoughts and

feelings of all characters “Omniscient” means “all-

knowing”

Limited Narrator focuses on one

central character.Often protagonist“Inside” character

Omniscient Can see into thoughts and

feelings of all characters “Omniscient” means “all-

knowing”

What questions do you have?

What questions do you have?

Part II: Characterization

Part II: Characterization

Direct, indirect, typesDirect, indirect, types

What is characterization?What is characterization?

Characterization is the act of creating and developing a character.

Characterization is the act of creating and developing a character.

Direct Characterization Direct Characterization

In direct characterization, the author directly states a character’s traits.

In direct characterization, the author directly states a character’s traits.

Ex: “Part con man, part practical joker, and part Don Juan.”

Ex: “Part con man, part practical joker, and part Don Juan.”

Indirect Characterization Indirect Characterization

Indirect characterization is when a character’s personality is shown through his or her actions, thoughts, feelings, words, and appearance, or through another character’s observations and reactions.

Indirect characterization is when a character’s personality is shown through his or her actions, thoughts, feelings, words, and appearance, or through another character’s observations and reactions.

Ex: Harpo puzzle by Shug. One reason is she say whatever come to mind, forgit about polite.-The Color Purple

Ex: Harpo puzzle by Shug. One reason is she say whatever come to mind, forgit about polite.-The Color Purple

What conclusion can you make about Shug?

What conclusion can you make about Shug?

That she is shy That she is opinionated That she is married That she likes Harpo

That she is shy That she is opinionated That she is married That she likes Harpo

Round & Flat CharactersRound & Flat Characters

Round characters show many different traits: Faults as well as virtues

Flat characters are only seen one way throughout the story

Round characters show many different traits: Faults as well as virtues

Flat characters are only seen one way throughout the story

Round CharactersRound Characters

Who might you think of that shows different traits?

Scout from Mockingbird Montagues and Capulets

from Romeo & Juliet Bart Simpson

Who might you think of that shows different traits?

Scout from Mockingbird Montagues and Capulets

from Romeo & Juliet Bart Simpson

Flat CharactersFlat Characters

Who might you think of that shows only one purpose throughout a story?

Jem from Mockingbird Tybalt from Romeo &

Juliet Milhouse

Who might you think of that shows only one purpose throughout a story?

Jem from Mockingbird Tybalt from Romeo &

Juliet Milhouse

Dynamic and Static Characters

Dynamic and Static Characters

Dynamic characters develop and grow during the course of the story. Ex: Harry Potter Ex: Scout; Jem

Dynamic characters develop and grow during the course of the story. Ex: Harry Potter Ex: Scout; Jem

Static characters do not change. Ex: Lord

Voldemort Ex: Atticus

Static characters do not change. Ex: Lord

Voldemort Ex: Atticus

ReviewReview

First person pros/cons Third person pros/cons Protagonist V. Antagonist What is characterization? Direct V. Indirect

Characterization Round V. Flat Characters Static V. Dynamic Characters

First person pros/cons Third person pros/cons Protagonist V. Antagonist What is characterization? Direct V. Indirect

Characterization Round V. Flat Characters Static V. Dynamic Characters