Character and characterization - The Cask of Amontillado
Definitions character and characterization
An assignment like this one can only succeed with a clear definition of the analysed element of fiction. Therefore we started to assignment by defining character and characterization:
A character is fictional person in a literary work. Not all characters in a story have the same depth or the same importance: depending on the role they play in the story, some characters are described meticulously (what they look like, how they feel, what they think, what their values are) and others we never really get to know. The author uses different strategies to develop the different characters in a story: they can be either round or flat characters, dynamic of static characters. A character can be described as round when he is described as a complex character from whom we know many details (e.g. looks, thoughts, values etc.). A flat character on the other hand is a character with a straightforward personality of whom few things are revealed. A different strategy used by the author is the use of dynamic and static characters. This strategy is used to describe the development of a character. When a character goes through important changes, he can be seen as a dynamic character. These changes aren’t about changes in circumstances, but changes from within the personality (e.g. changes in understanding, emotions, values, etc.). When a character is static, he shows no signs of changes , but stays the same throughout the story.
Characterization is the way in which the writer presents a character to the reader. It is used to describe the character’s thoughts, looks, values, actions, intellect, positive and negative traits, etc. To do so the author uses two different strategies: direct and indirect characterization. Direct characterization is used when the author directly tells readers something about the character. This can be done in a manner of ways: through the character itself, another character, or through the narrator. The second
An assignment like this one can only succeed with a clear definition of the analysed element of fiction. Therefore we started to assignment by defining character and characterization:
A character is fictional person in a literary work. Not all characters in a story have the same depth or the same importance: depending on the role they play in the story, some characters are described meticulously (what they look like, how they feel, what they think, what their values are) and others we never really get to know. The author uses different strategies to develop the different characters in a story: they can be either round or flat characters, dynamic of static characters. A character can be described as round when he is described as a complex character from whom we know many details (e.g. looks, thoughts, values etc.). A flat character on the other hand is a character with a straightforward personality of whom few things are revealed. A different strategy used by the author is the use of dynamic and static characters. This strategy is used to describe the development of a character. When a character goes through important changes, he can be seen as a dynamic character. These changes aren’t about changes in circumstances, but changes from within the personality (e.g. changes in understanding, emotions, values, etc.). When a character is static, he shows no signs of changes , but stays the same throughout the story.
Characterization is the way in which the writer presents a character to the reader. It is used to describe the character’s thoughts, looks, values, actions, intellect, positive and negative traits, etc. To do so the author uses two different strategies: direct and indirect characterization. Direct characterization is used when the author directly tells readers something about the character. This can be done in a manner of ways: through the character itself, another character, or through the narrator. The second