1. G-EN270 INTRO TO FICTION
The Elements of Fiction
Character

2. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
“Character is plot, plot is character.”
—F. Scott Fitzgerald

3. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Conflict ::
We will not remain long interested in impersonal
forces; we demand character

4. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Conflict :: Character v. character

5. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Conflict :: Character v. character
• Julian v. his mother

6. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Conflict :: Character v. character
• Julian v. his mother
• Norma Jean v. Leroy

7. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Conflict :: Character v. character
• Julian v. his mother
• Norma Jean v. Leroy
• Norma Jean v. her mother

8. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Conflict :: Character v. external forces

9. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Conflict :: Character v. external forces
• Leroy and Norma Jean v. Randy’s death

10. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Conflict :: Character v. external forces
• Leroy and Norma Jean v. Randy’s death
• Leroy and Norma Jean v. Leroy’s accident

11. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Conflict :: Character v. external forces
• Leroy and Norma Jean v. Randy’s death
• Leroy and Norma Jean v. Leroy’s accident
• Olenka v. Fate

12. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Conflict :: Character v. external forces
• Leroy and Norma Jean v. Randy’s death
• Leroy and Norma Jean v. Leroy’s accident
• Olenka v. Fate
• Wing v. societal norms

13. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Conflict :: Character v. internal forces

14. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Conflict :: Character v. internal forces
• Eveline v. guilt, love, responsibility

15. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Conflict :: Character v. internal forces
• Eveline v. guilt, love, responsibility
• Julian v. ego, blindness to reality

16. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Conflict :: Character v. internal forces
• Eveline v. guilt, love, responsibility
• Julian v. ego, blindness to reality
• Olenka v. Fate

17. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Climax ::
The reversal or moment of insight is evident in
change (or lack of change) in characters

18. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Climax ::

19. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Climax ::
• Eveline’s inability to act

20. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Climax ::
• Eveline’s inability to act
• Julian’s recognition of his dependence

21. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Climax ::
• Eveline’s inability to act
• Julian’s recognition of his dependence
• Norma Jean grasping her independence

22. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Climax ::
• Eveline’s inability to act
• Julian’s recognition of his dependence
• Norma Jean grasping her independence
• Olenka realizing the depths of unconditional,
maternal love

23. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Motivation ::
The whys and hows strong enough to effect the
alleged change in character

24. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Unity ::
Need for unity is greatest in presentation of
character. Characters must be plausible, command
reader’s belief.

25. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Significance ::
We’re most interested in people. The meaning we
take from stories concerns human nature, human
conduct.

26. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Types ::

27. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Types ::
• Flat

28. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Types ::
• Flat
• Stock

29. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Types ::
• Flat
• Stock
• Static

30. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Types ::

31. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Types ::
• Round/Complex

32. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Types ::
• Round/Complex
• Wide range of emotions

33. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Types ::
• Round/Complex
• Wide range of emotions
• Contradictions, self-doubts, indecision

34. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Types ::
• Round/Complex
• Wide range of emotions
• Contradictions, self-doubts, indecision
• Characteristics that mark them as unique
individuals

35. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Types ::
• Round/Complex
• Wide range of emotions
• Contradictions, self-doubts, indecision
• Characteristics that mark them as unique
individuals
• Dynamic

36. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Methods :: Author’s toolbox

37. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Methods :: Author’s toolbox
• Direct characterization—telling

38. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Methods :: Author’s toolbox
• Direct characterization—telling
• What the narrative voice tells readers about
the character

39. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Methods :: Author’s toolbox
• Direct characterization—telling
• What the narrative voice tells readers about
the character
“Ted Lavender…was scared”

40. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Methods :: Author’s toolbox

41. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Methods :: Author’s toolbox
• Indirect characterization—showing

42. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Methods :: Author’s toolbox
• Indirect characterization—showing
• What the dramatized scenes show us about
character

43. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Methods :: Author’s toolbox
• Indirect characterization—showing
• What the dramatized scenes show us about
character
“Ted Lavender…carried tranquilizers…six or
seven ounces of premium dope…thirty-four
rounds [of ammunition for the M-79 grenade
launcher instead of the typical load of twenty-
five rounds]”

44. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Ways of showing character ::

45. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Ways of showing character ::
• Names

46. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Ways of showing character ::
• Names
• Physical features/
characteristics

47. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Ways of showing character ::
• Names
• Physical features/
characteristics
• Clothing, dress

48. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Ways of showing character ::
• Names
• Physical features/
characteristics
• Clothing, dress
• Possessions

49. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Ways of showing character ::
• Names
• Physical features/
characteristics
• Clothing, dress
• Possessions
• Actions, choices,
decisions

50. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Ways of showing character ::
• Names • Dialogue
• Physical features/
characteristics
• Clothing, dress
• Possessions
• Actions, choices,
decisions

51. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Ways of showing character ::
• Names • Dialogue
• Physical features/ • Habits
characteristics
• Clothing, dress
• Possessions
• Actions, choices,
decisions

52. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Ways of showing character ::
• Names • Dialogue
• Physical features/ • Habits
characteristics
• What others say
• Clothing, dress
• Possessions
• Actions, choices,
decisions

53. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Ways of showing character ::
• Names • Dialogue
• Physical features/ • Habits
characteristics
• What others say
• Clothing, dress • How other characters
• Possessions treat, respond to
• Actions, choices,
decisions

54. AR340 WEB-BASED DESIGN
Ways of showing character ::
• Names • Dialogue
• Physical features/ • Habits
characteristics
• What others say
• Clothing, dress • How other characters
• Possessions treat, respond to
• Actions, choices, • Self-portrait, thoughts
decisions