What is a Character Analysis?

What is a character analysis? The character analysis definition could be stated as follows:

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• A character analysis is an exploration of the traits, personality, and characteristics of a character within a story.

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A character analysis typically examines the conflicts a character faces and the character's overall role within the story. It also considers the motivation of the character, as well as what the character says to others.

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Purpose of a Character Analysis

A character analysis aims to garner a deeper understanding of the story and the interconnections between the various characters. Symbolism, foreshadowing, and other literary devices can lie within the characters. Therefore, creating a detailed character analysis can provide a clearer understanding of the author's intentions.

Purpose of a Character Analysis

Some literary works have many characters that are hard to keep track of. Character analysis can provide structure for these dense works. It allows the reader to look closer at details that may have been overlooked otherwise. Performing a character analysis is a valuable tool when analyzing the interconnectedness of a literary work.

• The antagonist is the character or force in the story that is at odds with the protagonist. The antagonist causes conflict within the plot. Most, but not all villains are the antagonists.

Antagonist

• The protagonist is the lead character within the story. They are responsible for moving the plot of the story forward.

Protagonist

Different Types of Characters

• Minor characters are less important in the plot and may fade in and out of the storyline. They may have fewer verbal lines and be static characters.

Minor Characters

• Major characters are main characters that play an important function in the plot.

Major Characters

Different Types of Characters

• Static characters do not change throughout the plot. They remain the same throughout conflict resolution.

Static Characters

• Dynamic characters change throughout the plot. Antagonist and protagonist characters are often dynamic characters. They learn lessons throughout the development of conflict.

Dynamic Characters

Different Types of Characters

• Confidantes are people with who the protagonist shares their secrets.

Confidantes

• Stock characters are filler characters that are placed to add volume to the number of people in a novel. An example would be a band geek.

Stock Characters

Different Types of Characters

• Villains are evil characters whose conflicts are more pronounced than the antagonist.

Villians

• Foil characters are characters who are a contrast to another character. They often highlight a major character's traits, such as a silly sidekick, to emphasize how serious the story's hero is.

Foil Characters

Different Types of Characters

Conflict in Character Analysis

The conflict in a story is the main source of hardship for the characters. It is what keeps the plot moving and is often the cause for a character's growth. It is an essential component of a character analysis.

• External conflicts involve the character and outside forces. It could be nature, technology, an animal, society, or another character. An example is an argument between characters.

External Conflicts

• Internal conflicts happen within the character. These can be moral, religious, or any other type of internal struggle within a character. An example is a character's struggle with mental health.

Internal Conflicts

Conflict in Character Analysis

How to Do a Character Analysis

The conHow is one expected to do a character analysis? There is a structure provided for conducting a character analysis.

Character Analysis Step 1

The character analysis should begin with the physical description and overall personality of the character. Describe any mannerisms and include all background information. The writer should mention what type of character the character is in this portion as well.

Character Analysis Step 2

The middle portion of the character analysis should contain the character's role within the story. This portion should include any conflict that involves the character. Describe if the conflict is internal or external within this segment.

Character Analysis Step 3

The final portion of the character analysis should include the personal growth of the character over the plot. Analyze how the character is different by the end of the story due to the conflict. Some minor characters may be unchanged, but major characters will usually transform.