Theory of Critical Approach
influence them to change. Sometimes, the author uses both dynamic and static to characterize a character. For example, the author may use static characters for the
beginning of actions and use dynamic characters for the results of the action. Klarer 1999: 17 uses different terms from Abrams and Holman, although he also
uses flat and round characters for the similar term. For flat characters, he uses typified characters, which refer to specific characters whereas for round character, he uses
individualized characters, which refer to more complex characters with differentiated characteristics.
2.1.2.2.Theory of Characterization
According to Murphy 1972: 161-173, there are nine ways to characterize a certain character in the novel
1. Personal description In this technique, the author, as one of the characters in the novel, describes the
character’s appearance directly. He describes the character’s face, skin, eye, and hair, in detail. In describing the character, the author also uses adjectives, for example like
strong, heavy, and so on, which shows the character’s physical appearance. 2. Character as seen by another
In this technique, the author describes a certain character from the other character’s eyes and opinions. He gives, for example, the impression of shape,
cleanliness, firmness, smoothness of a certain character. 3. Speech
In this way, the author gives clues through what a certain character says in the novel. The author can describe the clues from the conversation with another, the
character’s opinion or when the character speaks. 4. Past life
In this method, the author describes a certain character’s past life directly. The description can be given through the character’s thoughts, conversation or through the
medium of another person. 5. Conversation of Others
This technique uses conversation of other characters about a certain character. The conversation often gives us a clue about whom it is being spoken.
6. Reactions In this technique, the author describes a certain character’s reactions or response
to various situation and events. 7. Direct Comment
The author describes the character or gives comment towards the character directly. In this technique, the author becomes the narrator of the novel to comment about
the character. 8. Thoughts
The author describes what a certain character thinks 9. Mannerisms
The author can give us clues from the character’s habit, mannerism or action, which are repeated in the novel.
According to Abrams 1981: 21, there are two methods in characterizing characters, i.e., “ showing” and “ telling”. In “showing”, the author describes characters’
action and dialogue but he or she does not include the characters’ motives of the action and dialogue. Furthermore, the author lets the reader to guess behind the action and the
dialogue. In “telling”, the author describes not only the physical appearance but also the motives and sometimes evaluates the characters. The author, for instance, also comments
what the character says and does. Klarer 1999: 19-20 uses explanatory characterization for “ telling “ method and
dramatic characterization for “ showing “ method. In explanatory characterization, the author becomes the narrator who describes the character’s action and dialogue including
the narrator’s comment and evaluation towards the character. The dramatic characterization places the author as an obvious narrator. It means that the author
describes the character’s utterances and actions without giving any comment or intervention.