For ENGL 151L

1. Intro to Character
What happened to you Mr. White?
If the main character is interesting & believable,
we’re more likely to follow the plot. For 5 seasons
in the case of the AMC series Breaking Bad.

2. The someone
at the center
of the plot
To quote Chapter 3, “[W]e care about what happens and how
[plot] mainly because it happens to someone” (130-131). That
someone has to be distinguishable from other characters and
consistent. We have to believe in them. More than that, we have
to be interested, which usually means they have to change. And so
we need to know their motives and to see deep enough into them
to believe they can change. Readers still enjoy and film makers still
adapt Jane Austin’s novels because she created believable, distinct
characters.
Introduction to Character. ENGL 151L 2

3. Plot and Character not working together
TV plots rich in action & carnage can interfere
with plausible character development. Those
dramatic and deadly finales boost ratings
though. In TV, plot is often king (and sits on
the iron throne).
But many viewers critique TV shows based on
how believable the characters are. And they
may not like it when a character changes
suddenly to suit the plot.
Walking Dead fans joke that if a character
suddenly becomes more sympathetic and
likable, they have a week to live. Maybe two.
Introduction to Character. ENGL 151L
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In the episodes before she
dies, Andrea from The
Walking Dead got a quick
character make-over. Re-
united with the group that
had left her behind, she
was risking her life to
protect them from “The
Governor.” We loved her
again. Her last scene was
all the more tragic and
dramatic.

4. And then . . . Inciting Incidents
and character change
As the Intro to Plot lecture
mentions, Stephen King starts his
books by simply putting a character
in a situation, and then they deal.
Breaking Bad opens with a high
school teacher receiving a terminal
cancer diagnosis. This inciting
incident starts the ball rolling on
massive changes. Change for the
older brother in “Sonny’s Blues” is
incited by two events: his brother’s
arrest and his young daughter’s
death. For Connie, in “Where are
You Going, Where have You Been” a
man who claims to know
everything about her shows up at
the door. And then….
Introduction to Character. ENGL 151L 4
A stranger can show up and change
everything. A problem or threat can
bring out a person’s inner strength
(or weakness). Creative writers
investigate & dramatize that. To
them the human heart is a frontier
to be settled, a far planet to be
explored, a mystery to be solved.

5. Motive, Free Will & Character
Fans of Breaking Bad enjoyed debating Mr. White’s true motives. He
first resorted to cooking meth in order to leave his family, especially his
disabled son, some wealth after he died. But does he go so deeply into
that life for that reason, or that reason only? Or does he enjoy the
excitement and power? Did crisis bring out a buried part of him, one
he didn’t even know was there?
That’s part of what makes him interesting. We wonder who he is at his
core – a caring father and husband, a bold battler who loves living on
the edge. Or somehow both.
What makes a person change, or resist change? How do different
people deal with crisis, threat, opportunity and gifts? Do we discover
ourselves or make ourselves as we journey through life’s hills and
valleys?
Introduction to Character. ENGL 151L 5

6. A look within
Can you think of an
inciting incident in
your life? What
happened? How did
it change you? What
did you see in
yourself that you
didn’t know was
there?
Introduction to Character. ENGL 151L 6
Send an email about your inciting incident for
up to 10 Bonus Points. Or you could write a
blog prompt about it for even more points. Try
telling your story in the 3rd person
(he/she/they). As in: She woke that day
thinking it would be like every other day. How
wrong she was.

7. Introduction to Character. ENGL 151L 7
Names &
nicknames
Names suggest character. Darth Vader. Albus Dumbledore. Captain Marvel. Mary
Poppins. Forrest Gump. James Bond. Squeakie. Arnold Friend (ironic?).
Performers may change names to fit their public persona. John Legend was born
John Stephens. Lady Gaga was Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta.
Action
under
pressure
The way a character deals with obstacles & conflicts reveals much to the
reader/viewer, maybe even to the characters themselves.
Thoughts &
speech
In fiction and film, some types of narration let us hear characters’ thoughts.
“Sonny’s Blues,” some say, is more about the older brother than Sonny because
the story is told from his point of view. And as in life the way someone speaks
reveals a lot about them too.
Physical
appearance
Physical descriptions can indicate important inner qualities as well as emotional
states: a smile, a laugh, a blush, a nervous tic, posture, clothing, body language.
Arnold Friend seems a scary, quirky stranger from the start.
What others
say
The narrator may tell us what to think of a character. (This is more common in
19th Century Lit, when values were clearer and agreed upon.) Other characters’
opinions and reactions tell us a lot too.
Influences In memories or flashbacks we learn what shaped a character’s personality.
The Main Ways Writers Bring Characters to Life

8. And of course facial expressions
Viola Davis in the film Fences
Introduction to Character. ENGL 151L 8

9. Find a Face
For 10 Bonus Points, locate in any piece we’ve studied so far a good
description of a character’s facial expressions and/or body language.
Email it in. Here is Charles Dickens’ judgmental, value-laden description
of the infamous Ebenezer Scrooge, from A Christmas Carol. Notice the
figurative language as well:
Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grind-stone, Scrooge! a
squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old
sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out
generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster. The
cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose,
shriveled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips
blue; and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice. A frosty rime was on
his head, and on his eyebrows, and his wiry chin. He carried his own
low temperature always about with him; he iced his office in the
dogdays; and didn't thaw it one degree at Christmas.
Introduction to Character. ENGL 151L 9

10. Types of Characters
Open to interpretation and debate (in an essay perhaps)
The Type Description Examples
Dynamic/
Round
Changes deeply because of the
action of the plot. Interesting. Hard
to summarize who they are. Raises
questions. May surprise us.
Squeaky. Sonny and his older brother.
Connie. The HS student in “Identity. Lane
Dean Jr. in “Good People (Sheri too?).”
Static/Flat Doesn’t change much. Could still be
important/interesting. May have
qualities easily summarized. May
change somewhat but no surprises.
Raymond. The mother in Sonny’s Blues.
The father in “A Pair of Tickets.”
A Foil A static character who provides a
contrast to another character
(usually a dynamic one).
Connie’s sister in “Where are you Going
etc.” Arnold Friend’s sidekick Ellie Oscar.
Stock Stereotypes, usually in “formula”
fiction (e.g., detective, romance, sci-
fi).
The tough cop, mean boss, goofy
grandparent, loyal servant, mean drill
sergeant, snarky android. With of a good
writer / actor stock characters come alive.
Introduction to Character. ENGL 151L 10

11. Look ahead: Essays #1 & #2
In Essay #1* we respond to one piece from Weeks 1-4 and show how
one literary element relates to that response. In Essay #2,^ we
compare and contrast how 2 pieces use an element. For both essays,
choose from tone, plot, character, narration, point of view or setting.
Or look ahead to a later element. Only one element needed, but
know that one well. Use what you learn in lectures and the reading
to produce quality content.
Do you tend to be interested in what makes people tick? Is your
current or future work related to people? Then Character might be a
good element for you to use in the first or second essay (or both).
*Extended Essay 1 Option: Discuss a 2nd element and/or 2nd piece for up to 50 extra points.
^Extended Essay 2 options: Discuss a 2nd element and/or a 3rd piece for up to 50 extra
points.
To earn the full points, you’ll need to cover the extra piece and/or element in some depth.
Introduction to Character. ENGL 151L 11

12. Character questions to help develop
a Response Essay
• Did you expect to be uninterested in the characters? Did that change?
• Did a character’s choice surprise you? Were their motives clear and
believable?
• Did the characters remind you of anyone? Include a personal reflection
section if it had an impact on your response.
• Was there a minor character who played a key role?
• What characterization methods does this author rely on?
• What scene most reveals the main character’s heart?
• Who changes the most? Why? Who fails to change?
• Did you disagree with the class about any character? That’s interesting.
(Use the essay to explain how you see it).
• Did you ever feel you were in a character’s mind or heart? Where?
(Quote a spot.) How did the writer do that?
Also see “Questions about Character” on page 138
Introduction to Character. ENGL 151L 12

13. Character Questions to help with
a Compare-Contrast Essay
• How are the main characters of the two pieces the same? Different?
(Consult slide 11.)
• What’s different or similar about the obstacles and conflicts each faces?
• Looking at slide 7, what characterization methods do your 2 pieces use?
• In which piece did the characters feel more believable? Why? (Pinpoint
a scene.) A compare contrast essay can be a critique.
• Is there a foil character in each who helps highlight the main characters’
qualities? (Your whole essay could focus on foil characters.)
• How much are the characters shaped by their time and place? Who is
the most affected by setting? The least? Why? Is there enough to say
about setting to use it for an extended essay extra 25 points?
• Which ending was more plausible, based on what we know of the
characters?
• Is there a character in a book or film I know well who reminds me of the
characters in my main pieces? Can I bring in that 3rd piece for up to 25
Bonus Points? (All media qualify: Books, films, TV series, story-driven
video games, etc.)
Introduction to Character. ENGL 151L 13

14. Big Bonus Opportunities (see slides 6 & 9 too)
1. Use the information on Slide 7 to analyze a character
(from any genre or medium). Give at least 2 specific
examples. If using prose, quotes appreciated.
2. Make a chart as on Slide 10 of the characters in a
book, TV series, or film / film franchise you know well.
3. DC vs Marvel: Which franchise creates more
dynamic, interesting characters? Say why, name names.
Worth 10-20 points each depending on length & level
of detail (examples, scenes, quotes). Ok to use sources
if given credit but I’m more interested in your take.
Introduction to Character. ENGL 151L 14