Characterization

Definition

Characterization is the literary technique used to create and develop characters in a story, revealing their personalities, motivations, and traits. This process can be achieved through direct description, actions, dialogue, thoughts, and interactions with other characters. It plays a crucial role in building reader connection and understanding, allowing for deeper engagement with the narrative and its themes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In the works of Charles Dickens, characterization is often vivid and detailed, bringing to life a range of social classes and personalities.
2. Gustave Flaubert employed a more subtle approach to characterization, focusing on psychological depth and internal conflicts of characters.
3. Realist and naturalist fiction emphasizes believable characters shaped by their environments and circumstances, often reflecting societal issues.
4. Characters in Dickens’ novels frequently serve as social critiques, highlighting injustices of Victorian society through their development.
5. Flaubert’s use of free indirect discourse allows readers to access characters' inner thoughts, enhancing the depth of characterization.

Review Questions

• How does Dickens utilize characterization to comment on social issues in his works?
  • Dickens uses rich and colorful characterization to reflect social issues of his time. For instance, his characters often embody specific social classes or conditions, such as poverty or wealth. By presenting their struggles and triumphs in detail, he critiques societal norms and injustices prevalent in Victorian England, making readers empathize with characters like Oliver Twist or David Copperfield.
• In what ways does Flaubert's approach to characterization differ from that of Dickens?
  • Flaubert’s approach to characterization is more focused on psychological realism and internal conflict compared to Dickens' vivid portrayals. While Dickens emphasizes external actions and social commentary through his characters, Flaubert delves into the complexities of human emotion and thought processes. This creates a more introspective narrative style where characters are often seen grappling with their desires and societal constraints.
• Evaluate how the principles of characterization in realist and naturalist fiction reflect the broader themes of society during the 19th century.
  • In realist and naturalist fiction, characterization serves to illustrate the influence of environment, heredity, and social conditions on individuals. Characters are often depicted as products of their circumstances, facing harsh realities that reflect societal challenges of the 19th century. This approach underscores themes such as determinism and social critique, as authors illustrate how various factors shape personal identities and life paths within an evolving society.

Related terms

Protagonist: The main character in a story, often facing challenges and driving the plot forward.

Antagonist: The character or force that opposes the protagonist, creating conflict in the story.

Round Character: A complex character who undergoes significant development throughout the story, often possessing multiple traits.