1. DRAMA
Characters and Plot
Rini Wahyu Aulia (1488.203.029)
Lecture : Yahya Wahab, M.pd
The Institute of Teacher Training and
Education (STKIP) Nurul Huda Sukaraja
2017
2. Characters
• Characters are fictive or real persons that
think, act or are acted upon in a narrative
• The term plot-driven is sometimes used
to describe fiction in which a preconceived
storyline is the main thrust, with the
characters' behavior being molded by this
inevitable sequence of events. Plot-driven
is regarded as being the opposite of
character-driven, in which the characters
(are) the main focus of the work
(Wikipedia).
Not All Characters are
People
• Characters can be any
psychological presence or
personality
• Animals
• Robots
• Aliens
• Artificial intelligence
• Magical beings
• Spirits/ghosts
• Even objects
3. Protagonist vs. Antagonist Characters
• A protagonist is a main character
who generates the action of a
story and engages the reader's
interest and empathy. The
protagonist is often the hero or
heroine.
• The opposite of the protagonist is
the antagonist. An antagonist is a
character who opposes the
protagonist.
4. Dynamic vs. Static Characters
• The concept of dynamic and
static characters is closely tied to
character development. A
dynamic character is one who
goes through some sort of
change; they show character
development. A protagonist is
usually a dynamic character.
• Static characters, on the other
hand, are those who do not
change through out the course of
the story. They serve to show
contrast to dynamic ones,
refusing to grow and remaining in
one place or mentality.
5. Round vs. Flat Characters
• The concept of Round and Flat characters is also closely tied to character
development. Round characters are fully-developed figures in the story.
They are more realistic and complex and show a true depth of personality.
They require more attention by the reader; they can make surprise
decisions or puzzling ones. Many factors can affect round characters, and
they react to those factors realistically
• Flat characters are those who don't develop or change throughout the
course of the story. These characters are uncomplicated and one-
dimensional, having only one or two obvious qualities or characteristics.
One subcategory of the flat character is the stock character. A stock
character is a representation of some sort of stereotype. Stock characters
are usually predictable and exist to serve a specific purpose.
6. Confidant Character
• Someone in whom the central character confides, thus revealing the main
character’s personality, thoughts and intentions (does not need to be a
person)
Foil Character
• A character that is used to enhance another character through contrast
7. Plot (Definition)
• Plot – the structure of the action of a
story. In conventional stories, plot has
three main parts: rising action, climax,
and falling action leading to a resolution
or denouement (Harris & Hodges,
1995).
8. Plot Diagram
3
1
2 4
5
Exposition: the start of the story, the
situation before the action starts
Rising Action: the
series of conflicts and
crisis in the story that
lead to the climax
Climax: the turning
point, the most intense
moment—either
mentally or in action
Falling Action: all
of the action which
follows the climax
Resolution: the
conclusion, the tying
together of all of the
threads
9. Types of Plots
• There are four primary types of plots (modified from Anderson, 2006, & Lukens,
2007):
• Linear – plot is constructed logically and not by coincidence.
• Episodic – one incident or short episode is linked to another by common
characters or a unified theme.
• Cumulative – plots with lots of repetition of phrases, sentences, or events
with one new aspect added with each repetition.
• Circular – the characters in the story end up in the same place that they
were at the beginning of the story.
10. Plot : Conflict
• Conflict is the dramatic
struggle between two
forces in a story.
• Without conflict, there is no
plot!
• Usually introduced during the
rising action
• Faced head-on during the
climax
• Begins to work itself out
during the falling action
• Is resolved during the
resolution
• Other Types of Conflict :
• Character vs Supernatural
(Gods, ghosts, monsters, spirits,
aliens, etc)
• Character vs Fate (Fight for
choice; fight against destiny)
• Character vs Technology
(Computers, machines, etc)
11. • Plot: Character vs. Self Conflict (In this type of conflict, the main character
experiences some kind of inner conflict)
• Plot: Character vs. Character Conflict (This type of conflict finds the main
character in conflict with another character, human or not human)
• Plot: Character vs. Nature Conflict (This type of conflict finds the main
character in conflict with the forces of nature, which serve as the
antagonist)
• Plot: Character vs. Society Conflict (This type of conflict has the main
character in conflict with a larger group: a community, society, culture,
etc)