AP Literature & Composition Character Types Flashcards

11615427373	Direct Characterization	The process by which a character is revealed through direct exposition: narrative description, adjectives, or epithets. The narrative voice tells the reader how to feel about the character.	0
11615429557	Indirect Characterization	The process by which a character is revealed through the character's speech, actions, or appearance. The reader is invited to draw her own conclusions about the character by using her own judgment.	1
11615435319	Round Character	A character who is complex, nuanced, multi-faceted. Round characters generally are dynamic and have unexpected facets to their personality.	2
11615437374	Flat Character	A stereotypical, stock, or one-dimensional character. Usually static, shallow.	3
11615491870	Stock Character	An easily recognizable character "type," a frequently used character in literature traditions, flat and generally static, cliché. (Ex: "the villain in the black hat," "the ditsy cheerleader," "the hooker with a heart of gold").	4
11615495142	Protagonist	The story's central character, of primary focus or interest.	5
11615498174	Antagonist	The character that opposes the Protagonist and often produces the primary conflict in the narrative.	6
11615511398	Antihero	A protagonist who has traits that are the opposite of a traditional hero. This character may be confused, misguided, or ineffectual. Antiheroes usually change little in the narrative, and often only to learn that the world is isolating or indifferent to individuals.	7
11615514291	Foil Character	A character whose attributes contrast with a main character (protagonist or antagonist) in order to accentuate or emphasize the main character's traits.	8
11615517154	Static Character	A character who does not undergo growth or change, stays the same in his or her essential characteristics.	9
11615517196	Dynamic Character	A character who undergoes growth or change in the course of the narrative.	10