| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| character | A person or entity in a narrative whose actions, thoughts, and relationships drive the story forward. |
| character complexity | The quality of a character having multiple, often contradictory traits, motivations, or perspectives that make them psychologically realistic and multidimensional. |
| character development | The process by which a character's personality, beliefs, or motivations change or are revealed through events in the narrative. |
| character interpretation | A reader's understanding and analysis of who a character is, what they represent, and how they function within a narrative. |
| character responses | The ways a character reacts through words or actions, particularly in response to events or conflicts in the narrative. |
| character values | The principles, beliefs, and priorities that guide a character's decisions and behaviors throughout a narrative. |
| dynamic character | A character who develops and changes significantly over the course of a narrative, often making choices that affect the story's climax and resolution. |
| inconsistency | Contradictions or misalignments between different aspects of a character, such as between their private thoughts and public behavior. |
| major character | A character who is central to the narrative and typically undergoes significant development or change throughout the story. |
| minor character | A character who appears less frequently in a narrative and typically does not undergo significant development or change. |
| narrative resolution | The conclusion of a story where conflicts are settled and the fates of characters are determined. |
| plot | The sequence of events in a narrative that are connected through cause-and-effect relationships, with each event building on the others. |
| static character | A character who remains largely unchanged or unaffected by the events of the narrative. |
| unexpected developments | Surprising changes or revelations in a character's behavior, beliefs, or circumstances that diverge from reader expectations. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| anticipation | The reader's expectation or sense of what might happen next in a narrative, creating suspense. |
| catharsis | A moment of emotional release or purification that often occurs when central conflicts in a plot are resolved. |
| competing value systems | Conflicting sets of beliefs, principles, or priorities held by different characters or groups within a text. |
| conflict | A struggle or opposition between characters, forces, or ideas that drives the narrative forward. |
| plot | The sequence of events in a narrative that are connected through cause-and-effect relationships, with each event building on the others. |
| resolution | The part of a narrative where conflicts are settled and loose ends are tied up after the climax. |
| significant event | A key occurrence or moment in a plot that drives the narrative forward and contributes to the development of themes and conflicts. |
| suspense | The tension or uncertainty created in a narrative that keeps the reader engaged and wondering about the outcome of events. |
| unresolved ending | A conclusion to a narrative in which central conflicts remain unsettled, leaving ambiguity about outcomes. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| complexity | The intricate, multifaceted, and often contradictory aspects of character relationships that go beyond simple or straightforward dynamics. |
| diction | The choice and use of words in a text that conveys meaning and reveals the perspective or attitude of the narrator or speaker. |
| irony | A literary device in which there is a contrast between what is expected and what actually occurs, or between what is said and what is meant. |
| narrator | The voice or character who tells the story and whose perspective shapes how events and subjects are presented to the reader. |
| perspective | The viewpoint, background, and beliefs of a narrator, character, or speaker that shape how they perceive and present events or subjects. |
| speaker | The voice presenting ideas or emotions in a text, particularly in poetry or non-narrative works, whose perspective influences the tone and content. |
| syntax | The arrangement and structure of words and sentences in a text that can reveal a narrator's or speaker's perspective and attitude. |