Building a CharacterCharacterization

What is characterization?

The methods used by the playwright to create or reveal the characters in a story.

• There are two types of characterization:

Direct characterization

Indirect characterization

Direct Characterization

Direct characterization. The method of character development in which the playwright simply tells you what the character is like.

For example:“Miss Alice was the nicest person you would ever want to meet.”

Presenting information about a character directly through descriptions in dialogue or

stage directions/descriptions.

Indirect characterization

Indirect characterization used to show (not tell) things that reveal the personality of a character:

The method of characterization that is most similar to the way we learn about people in real life.

Using indirect characterization, the playwright presents the character’s personality through what he/she says, his/her actions, or how other characters relate to him/her. You must then draw your own conclusions about the character

Indirect characterization

• Remember the word, STEAL… The character’s speech, The character’s thoughts, The effect the character has on others,

The character’s actions, The physical “looks” of the character

Direct or Indirect?

Look at this example and figure out if the if this is direct or indirect characterization:

From Pygmalion:(Henry Higgins talking to Colonel Pickering)

"Here I am, a shy, diffident sort of man. I've never been able to feel really grown-up and tremendous, like other chaps." 

Direct or Indirect?

Look at this example and figure out if this is direct or indirect characterization to help us figure out the personality of the characters:

From The Outsiders:(Dally talking with Johnny)

“Johnny, you don't know what a few months in jail can do to you, man. You get mean in jail, I just don't wanna see that happen to you like it happened to me, man. Understand?”

Common Character Types

•We see more than one side of a round character.

We see only one side of a flat character.

Static Characters are one dimensional – we see only one side.

•We learn little about this character.

Round Character!

Flat Character!

Protagonist!

Static Character!