Character: An Element of FictionByIrvinne Heather Chua GoC33

In any story, the character is the mental, emotional, and social qualities to distinguish one being from another. There are human, animal and anthropomorphic characters. Additionally, these characters are not always named, like the one in Araby; the boy is nameless. But even if without a name, one still can build up a story for that character, using characterization. Using this process, the writer can present the development that the character undergoes, either via direct or indirect presentation. Both shows the character, but they differ in how it is showed. The narrator tells it in the first one, while the character itself or his environment exhibits it. In Araby, the narrator, the nameless boy, describes the characters. From the description told by the narrator or exhibited by the environment, this will bring out different types of characters. The first one is the Flat type. It is a one-dimensional character and typically not fundamental to the story, like Mangan. There are also two-dimensional characters, which are usually used as vessels to continue the storyline, like Mangans sister. Next is the Round type, this type represents the complex, fully developed character, which depending on the story, it undergoes change. But there are also Static characters, these are the ones do not undergo change. Then, the Dynamic character, usually at the heart of the movement in the story, is the one who transforms and gains a new understanding of life, like the nameless boy. Afterwards, there is the Stock and Stereotype. Both are almost the same, because both show a generalized view, but with the Stock, there is more of a distinction compared to a Stereotype. Finally, there is the Universal and Individual type. From the words actual meaning, the earlier handles common traits and problems, the latter handles a specific trait or problem that are usually taken from the authors experience. Now knowing the different types, the function of the characters can be easily determined. There are four major functions, the Protagonist, Antagonist, Confidant, and Foil. The protagonist is the core character in story, and the antagonist opposes him. Being the protagonist does not necessarily put you in the good side or bad, like in Araby, the nameless boy is the protagonist, and the Uncle is somewhat the antagonist as his tardiness almost stopped him from going to the bazaar. Next, the confidant, as the name implies, he is the one who which another confides with. Lastly, the foil is a secondary character that serves as a backdrop for a bigger character.