HOW+TO+ANALYZE+A+CHARACTER


 * **Direct Characterization – when the author or narrator tells us about this character **
 * **Indirect Characterization – we are given information about the character, must infer about them **
 * Three methods for character interpretation: **

 1. Psychological


 * 1) Motivation, inner conflict, doubts
 * 2) Interaction with other characters
 * 3) Moods, psychological states; look also for character who represents the flip side of this state; how do they play off each other


 * 1) Ethical or Moral Analysis


 * 1) Character’s virtues or vices
 * 2) What influences your judgment of the character?
 * 3) Something said by narrator or other character
 * 4) Your own bias or beliefs
 * 5) Compare and contrast values of other characters

3. Social
 * 1) How is the character defined by society?
 * 2) Power differentials
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">Race, class (socioeconomic), sexual orientation, age, gender, religion, ethnicity
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">Who exercises power over whom?
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">What causes the difference in power?
 * 6) <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">What are the effects?
 * 7) <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Does the balance of power change over the course of the story?