Characterization

Definition

Characterization is the method used by writers to create and develop characters in a narrative. It involves detailing a character's physical appearance, personality traits, motivations, and relationships, allowing readers to connect with them on an emotional level. This technique plays a significant role in shaping the themes and emotional impact of a story, especially in sentimental and realist literature.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In Jorge Isaacs's 'María', characterization is essential for conveying the deep emotional connections and societal issues faced by the characters in a romantic and sentimental context.
2. The portrayal of characters in sentimental novels often highlights their inner feelings and moral dilemmas, allowing readers to empathize with their struggles.
3. Realism focuses on detailed and lifelike characterization, aiming to reflect ordinary life accurately and represent characters' psychological depth.
4. Naturalism further pushes characterization to explore the influence of environment and heredity on human behavior, often depicting characters as products of their circumstances.
5. Authors often use symbolism in characterization, where a character’s traits or development can represent larger themes or social critiques relevant to their time.

Review Questions

• How does characterization contribute to the emotional impact of 'María' as a sentimental novel?
  • Characterization in 'María' enhances emotional impact by deeply exploring the protagonists' inner lives and struggles. Isaacs uses both direct and indirect characterization to reveal María's devotion and vulnerability, which resonates with readers. This detailed portrayal invites empathy and connects readers to the broader themes of love and sacrifice that are central to the sentimental novel.
• In what ways do realism and naturalism influence the techniques of characterization in Latin American literature?
  • Realism emphasizes authentic and relatable characters, focusing on their psychological complexities while portraying everyday life. Naturalism takes this further by illustrating how environment and heredity shape characters' behaviors, often presenting them as victims of circumstance. These literary movements demand a more nuanced approach to characterization, reflecting societal issues and moral questions relevant to the human condition.
• Evaluate how the different methods of characterization in sentimental novels versus realist/naturalist works reflect the authors' intentions regarding social issues.
  • Sentimental novels often utilize characterization to evoke strong emotional responses, focusing on personal dilemmas and moral choices that highlight societal values. In contrast, realism and naturalism use more complex characterizations to expose social injustices and critique societal norms. By comparing these approaches, it becomes evident that while sentimental novels aim for emotional resonance, realist and naturalist works seek to provoke thought about broader social conditions and human experiences influenced by external factors.

Related terms

Direct Characterization: The author explicitly describes a character's traits and qualities through direct statements.

Indirect Characterization: The author reveals a character's traits through their actions, dialogue, thoughts, and interactions with others.

Character Arc: The transformation or inner journey of a character over the course of the story, showing their development or change.