TYPes of CharactersTYPes of Characters

“Zebra”I can analyze how main and minor characters

interact and how they affect the plot of the story.

“Zebra”I can analyze how main and minor characters

interact and how they affect the plot of the story.

1. 1. Main CharactersMain Characters1. 1. Main CharactersMain CharactersA. Protagonist(s) and Antagonist(s)B. are significant; develop and affect the plot and other characters (plot and

other characters are centered around them)C. usually change , this is called a dynamic character, in some way because

of other characters, conflicts, or events in the story cause a lesson learned

D. are motivated by other characters, conflicts, or events in the plotE. have many character traits, which means they are round, thus making it

very easy to visualize and connect to them

Example:Ponyboy- How does Ponyboy affect the plot?

• What is the function or purpose of his character?- He is the narrator, he tells the story from his perspective

• What do we learn about the other characters from Ponyboy?- We learn what life is like for the greasers and socs and what their characters traits are- more specifically, we learn from Pony that Johnny has an abusive parent, but he wants to become different from his parents. He wants to become gallant and respected like the characters in Gone With the Wind.

• What motivates Pony throughout the plot?- he wants to keep his friends safe so he does whatever it takes to keep them out of trouble, including running away from home to keep a friend out of jail.

• What character traits do you learn about Pony and how do you visualize him?- he is teenager, book-smart, has greasy brown hair, caring, a good friend

A. Protagonist(s) and Antagonist(s)B. are significant; develop and affect the plot and other characters (plot and

other characters are centered around them)C. usually change , this is called a dynamic character, in some way because

of other characters, conflicts, or events in the story cause a lesson learned

D. are motivated by other characters, conflicts, or events in the plotE. have many character traits, which means they are round, thus making it

very easy to visualize and connect to them

Example:Ponyboy- How does Ponyboy affect the plot?

• What is the function or purpose of his character?- He is the narrator, he tells the story from his perspective

• What do we learn about the other characters from Ponyboy?- We learn what life is like for the greasers and socs and what their characters traits are- more specifically, we learn from Pony that Johnny has an abusive parent, but he wants to become different from his parents. He wants to become gallant and respected like the characters in Gone With the Wind.

• What motivates Pony throughout the plot?- he wants to keep his friends safe so he does whatever it takes to keep them out of trouble, including running away from home to keep a friend out of jail.

• What character traits do you learn about Pony and how do you visualize him?- he is teenager, book-smart, has greasy brown hair, caring, a good friend

2. 2. Minor CharactersMinor Characters2. 2. Minor CharactersMinor CharactersA. Not significant to the storyB. Usually do not affect the plot and other characters (plot

and other characters are centered around them) greatlyC. usually do NOT change , this is called a static character D. have FEW character traits, which means they are flat,

thus making it harder to visualize and connect to them

Example:Randy- Justify Randy as a minor character

• What is the function or purpose of his character?• What do we learn about the other characters from Ponyboy?• What motivates Pony throughout the plot?• What character traits do you learn about Pony and how do you

visualize him?

A. Not significant to the storyB. Usually do not affect the plot and other characters (plot

and other characters are centered around them) greatlyC. usually do NOT change , this is called a static character D. have FEW character traits, which means they are flat,

thus making it harder to visualize and connect to them

Example:Randy- Justify Randy as a minor character

• What is the function or purpose of his character?• What do we learn about the other characters from Ponyboy?• What motivates Pony throughout the plot?• What character traits do you learn about Pony and how do you

visualize him?

Here are some tricks to help you Here are some tricks to help you remember the definitions:remember the definitions:Here are some tricks to help you Here are some tricks to help you remember the definitions:remember the definitions:

• Round=Many Character Traits• Flat=Few Character Traits• Static=Stays the Same • Dynamic=Different/Changes because

of conflict or lesson learned

• Round=Many Character Traits• Flat=Few Character Traits• Static=Stays the Same • Dynamic=Different/Changes because

of conflict or lesson learned

Think back to “Zebra.”

Who is flat and who is round? Why?

Who is static and who is dynamic? Why? If dynamic, what motivated them to change?

I can analyze how main and minor characters interact and how they affect the plot of this story.

I can analyze how main and minor characters interact and how they affect the plot of this story.

Text Analysis WS

Complete the following chart to classify the characters in “Zebra” as main or minor characters and to explain how they affect the plot.

Text Analysis WS

Complete the following chart to classify the characters in “Zebra” as main or minor characters and to explain how they affect the plot.

Characters Main or Minor How characters affect the plot What is his/her function or purpose in the plot? How does he/she affect the protagonist? What is his/motivation motivation?

Zebra

John Wilson

Mrs. English

Andrea

1. What details from the chart help you realize that Andrea is a minor character?

2. Who/what caused Zebra to change the most?

I can analyze how main and minor characters interact and how they affect the plot of this story.

I can analyze how main and minor characters interact and how they affect the plot of this story.

Text Analysis WS

Complete the following chart to classify the characters in “Zebra” as main or minor characters and to explain how they affect the plot.

Text Analysis WS

Complete the following chart to classify the characters in “Zebra” as main or minor characters and to explain how they affect the plot.

Characters Main or Minor How characters affect the plot

Zebra What is his function or purpose in the plot? What is his motivation? How is he dynamic?

John Wilson What is his function or purpose in the plot? What is his motivation?

Mrs. English She is minor - Why is she even in the story?

Andrea What do we learn about Zebra because of Andrea?

What details from the chart help you realize that Andrea is a minor character?

Who/what caused Zebra to change the most?

Character Traits for “Zebra” Character Traits for “Zebra”

Character Character Trait

Cite Evidence from Text

Quote phrases from the text and line #’s

ex. “somber smile” (456).

Zebra……………..

Mr. Wilson……….

Zebra……………

Mr. Wilson………

Zebra…………….

Mr. Wilson………

Andrea…………..

Mrs. English.......

Dr. Winter………

Zebra…………….

Mr. Wilson………

Emotionally Injured

Emotionally Injured

Optimistic

Kind

Helpful

Artistic

Bossy

Generous

StrictPhysically injured

Physically injured

Prediction: Based on John Wilson’s previous behavior, what will he be doing next summer ? Find the evidence to justify your prediction from the text. Quote phrases from the text and line #’s.

Name____________#___

C3-6C3-6

Zebra is a dynamic character. Justify this statement with three significant instances from the text.

1.

2.

3.

Zebra is a dynamic character. Justify this statement with three significant instances from the text.

1.

2.

3.

C3-7C3-7

Justify John Wilson as a static character

1.

2.

3.

Justify John Wilson as a static character

1.

2.

3.