Character Development
Definition
Character development refers to the process by which a character undergoes changes throughout a story. It involves revealing their personality traits, motivations, relationships, and growth over time.
Analogy
Character development is like watching a seed grow into a beautiful flower. As the story progresses, we witness characters evolve from mere sketches into fully fleshed-out individuals with depth and complexity.
Related terms
Protagonist: The protagonist is the main character in a story who drives the plot forward.
Antagonist: The antagonist is the character or force that opposes or creates conflict for the protagonist.
Foil: A foil is a character who contrasts with another character to highlight their differences and enhance our understanding of both characters.
"Character Development" appears in:
Subjects (2)
Study guides (3)
Additional resources (6)
AP English Literature - English Literature Multiple Choice
AP English Literature - 2.2 Understanding & interpreting meaning in poetic structure
AP English Literature - 2.1 Identifying characters in poetry
AP English Literature - Unit 3 Overview: Introduction to Longer Fiction and Drama
AP English Literature - Unit 7 Overview: Societal and Historical Context
AP English Literature - Unit 9 Overview: Nuanced Analysis
Practice Questions (4)
How does conflict in a story impact character development?
What can readers notice when interpreting symbolism and its relationship with character development?
How does Meursault's character development affect the reader's interpretation of him in "The Stranger"?
Which element of character development in poetry refers to the intentional elaborations formulated by the author?
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