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In their book, Barnet, Berman, and Burto 71-72 classify four things to figure out what the characteristics of the character in the novel are, those are;
a. From What the Characters Say
From what the characters say or from the way they speak, the readers are able to predict what the author creates the personality of the speaker or character. It
provides the readers the clue whether the actor is protagonist or antagonist. The readers can determine the characteristics from the statements the characters utter.
b. From What the Character Do
This classification relates to the characters’ action. By analyzing what the character does, the readers are able to know whether the character is from upper or
lower class, educated or not, good or bad person. The readers will understand through the characters’ attitude. The readers will be able to predict the personality from the
characters actions in the novel. It can be the reflection of the character.
c. From What Other Characters Say about the Main Character
What other characters say or comment can be used to analyze the main character’s personality. What other characters say about the main character can be
used as additional information and clear description about the main character or others in the story. The author may give the descriptions of the main character’s
personality through the other characters’ opinion or judgment. It can be from others close to the main character or from other characters who are the main character’s
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enemy. Therefore, the readers may get different opinions of the character’s personality.
d. From What Other Characters Do
What other characters do toward a certain character also can determine the analysis of the character. It is very important to know the characterization of the main
character such as whether the main character is a lazy, clever, happy, kind, wicked, or careless person. Other characters’ responses in specific events in the story can be
used as the reflection and can help the readers to understand the character’s personality.
As quoted by Larver and Schiever in their book, Perspective on Personality, Allport says that “The characteristic of a character is related to his or her behavior,
thoughts, and feelings” 5. Here is clear that the way of thinking, feeling, and behavior will influence one’s character. Therefore it is important for the readers to
analyze the characters and the main character’ thought, feelings, and actions to figure out the characters’ personalities.
Meanwhile, characterization is the process of creating and developing characters in a work of fiction. According to Merriam Webster’s Encyclopedia of
Literature 1995, characterization is also defined as the representation in fictional or drama of human character personality. Characters are usually presented through their
actions, dialects, thoughts, as well as description. Characterization can consider a variety of aspects of characters, such as appearance, age, gender, educational level,
