Evaluating Character


Lesson 3

Assignment 5-3


Target


Assignment


Understand your purpose for reading


How does a text creator make the audience believe in the change that a character goes through?

Character Types

The protagonist is the main character who works to accomplish a specific goal.

 In Lesson 1-5, Leiningen, the protagonist, strives to be master of his fate by using intelligence to conquer obstacles.
The antagonist is the character or force that prevents the protagonist from achieving his or her goal. 
 
 In Lesson 1-5, killer ants threaten Leiningen's plantation and reputation as "the mighty boss".
Characters are also categorized according to their type:

A flat character has one or two traits that can be summarized in a few sentences.

In Lesson 1-5, the Brazilian official is a flat character. He fears the ants and is concerned for everyone's safety.
A round character is complex and has several traits, both good and bad.

In Lesson 1-5, Leiningen is a round character. He is resourceful, determined, confident, and courageous.
A stock character is a stereotypical character that occurs so often in fiction that his or her nature is known immediately.

  The loyal, obedient worker; the sinister villain; the good sheriff; the mad scientist are examples.
A static character is unchanging from the beginning to the ending of the story.
A developing or dynamic character undergoes a permanent change in some aspect of his or her character, personality, or outlook. Such a change should be plausible (believable) given the details in the story.

In Lesson 1-5, Leiningen learns that he is not infallible, and that he needs to depend on his physical abilities as well as his wits.