CHARACTER TERMS

Question 1

Protagonist

Answer 1

the main character of the story ― often the “good guy” or hero/heroine

Question 2

Antagonist

Answer 2

the main character who opposes the protagonist ― often the “bad guy”
★ it’s possible for a group of characters or a “force” to play the role of the
antagonist in a story in which the conflict is not person versus person

Question 3

Foil

Answer 3

a character who contrasts another character ― a foil often contrasts the protagonist and/or is a confidant

Question 4

Stereotype

Answer 4

a character who embodies or conforms to a conventional, formulaic and/or oversimplified conception or image

Question 5

Round Character

Answer 5

a well-rounded character who has more than one side and seems “real” ―may be revealed in detail; is capable of surprising the reader with his/her actions; often changes from the beginning to the end of the story

Question 6

Flat Character

Answer 6

a one-sided character; often a stereotype or caricature ― displays little or no change in character from the beginning to the end of the story

Question 7

Characterization

Answer 7

methods of revealing a character’s personality:
∙ actions — what a character does
∙ words, thoughts or feelings — what a character says, thinks or feels
— what another character says, thinks or feels
∙ interactions — how a character relates to/with other characters
∙ narration — descriptions about a character given in the story