Characters
Characters are the fictional individuals or entities that inhabit a literary work and drive the plot. They can be human, animal, mythological, supernatural, or inanimate objects.
Criteria for Using Characters
When developing characters for a literary work, consider the following criteria:
1. Relevance:
- Characters should be directly or indirectly related to the plot and contribute to its development.
- They should have a clear purpose and not be mere fillers.
2. Complexity:
- Characters should be multi-dimensional, with both strengths and flaws.
- They should have realistic motivations and believable personalities.
3. Motivation:
- Characters should have clear motivations that drive their actions.
- Their motives should be logical and consistent with their personalities.
4. Growth and Change:
- Dynamic characters undergo significant changes throughout the story.
- Their experiences and interactions shape their growth and influence the plot.
5. Relationships:
- Characters interact with each other in various ways.
- Their relationships can be complex, involving love, rivalry, friendship, or conflict.
6. Symbolism:
- Characters can represent abstract ideas or themes.
- They can embody virtues, vices, or broader societal issues.
7. Memorable:
- Characters should leave a lasting impression on the reader.
- They should be unique, relatable, and memorable for their actions, dialogue, or personality traits.
8. Believability:
- Characters should be believable within the context of the story.
- Their actions, motivations, and dialogue should resonate with the reader's expectations or experiences.
9. Diversity:
- Literary works should feature a diverse range of characters to reflect the real world.
- Characters should represent different cultures, backgrounds, genders, sexualities, and abilities.
10. Consistency:
- Characters should maintain consistency throughout the story.
- Their actions, motivations, and personality traits should not drastically change without a logical explanation.