Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
The portrayal of characters refers to how authors depict or present individuals within a story. It involves describing their physical appearance, personality traits, emotions, beliefs, actions, and relationships.
The process by which an author reveals a character's personality through direct descriptions or actions/dialogue.
Round Characters vs Flat Characters: Round characters are multi-dimensional with complex personalities and motivations while flat characters lack depth and are often stereotypical or one-dimensional.
Dynamic Characters vs Static Characters: Dynamic characters undergo significant changes throughout a story while static characters remain unchanged.