Static characters do not undergo important changes over the course of a story, remaining the same from beginning to end. Dynamic characters do change, often as a result of external conflicts, with changes in insights, understanding, values or commitments. The example given is that Prim from The Hunger Games is a static character who does not change, while Haymitch is dynamic as he sobers up and commits to helping the tributes over the course of the novel. Dynamic characters tend to be more fully developed and central to the story.

1. Static
Characters
vs.
Dynamic
Characters

2. Static Characters
• A static character is one that does not
undergo important change in the course
of the story, remaining essentially the
same at the end as he or she was at the
beginning.

3. Primrose
Everdeen
Prim is a static
character in The
Hunger Games. She
does not undergo any
dramatic character
changes in the course
of the novel.

4. Dynamic Characters
• A dynamic character, in contrast, is one that does
undergo an important change in the course of the
story.
• The change is usually a result of a conflict.
• More specifically, the changes that we are referring
to as being "undergone" here are not simple changes
in circumstances (like dying their hair a new color or
having a birthday), but changes in some sense within
the character in question --
– Changes in insight
– Changes in understanding
– Changes in commitment
– Changes in values.

5. Haymitch
Abernathy
Haymitch is a dynamic
character in The Hunger
Games. At the beginning of
the novel he is a drunk who has
given up on helping the
tributes from District 12. But,
as the story progresses, he
realizes Peeta and Katniss
might have a chance, so he
sobers up and agrees to train
them and help them find
sponsors.

6. Other things you need to know…
• Dynamic characters tend to be more fully
developed and described than static
characters.
• Dynamic characters are usually central to
the story
• Dynamic characters are also called ROUND
characters
• Static characters are also called FLAT
characters