6.2.2 Character Development and Attitudes

"Those around you whom you may regard as unusual, or those who do not fit with any group, may be different because of their backgrounds. Getting to know them may require hearing them tell of their experiences and environments. The result may be new understandings of them and acceptance of their uniqueness."

~Pat Jackson, ELA Teacher, Alberta~



Novels provide rich opportunities to get to know various types of characters because authors provide intimate insight through written text into the actions, thoughts, and perceptions of the character(s) they create. Discussing differing perspectives or viewpoints of characters or people involves attitude . Through carefully created characters, authors have opportunities to expose, entertain, or educate the reader with various perspectives or viewpoints about issues, themes, or conflicts centering on endless topics.

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The created perspective of a character gives readers a chance to see differences in humour, emotions, events, speech, thinking, reacting, and interactions with others. The opportunities authors can create or that already exist to entertain or educate readers through character development are endless. The created character's viewpoint, attitude, choices, and experiences act as the unique "trail" a reader follows through a novel.

 

 

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