Characterization Review of Related Theories

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2. Characterization

Everyone is created unique and different from others, so is character. Rohrberger and Woods, Jr state that “characters have particular personalities and physical attributes that distinguish them from other characters”. The creating process of characters is called characterization. Author can characterize in two ways which are direct and dramatic. Direct means the author plainly tell readers about the characters. It can be through physical appearance, moral quality, intellectuality, and other important information about the characters. In dramatic, author places the characters in situation to show what they are. Readers can reveal their characters through the way they behave and speak 20. Actually, authors want readers get to know their characters. They wish for their characters are understandable and come alive for their readers. Murphy says that authors have some ways to make readers understand the characters they write about 161-173. a. Personal Description The author explains a character through his appearance and clothes. Readers can see from person’s build, skin, hair, scars, eyes and even the clothing. b. Characters as Seen by Another The readers get to know a character from anoth er character’s eyes and opinions. It is like the readers gets reflected image. c. Speech PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI 12 The author describes the character of one of the persons in the book through what that person says. We can see someone’s character from his conversations or comments to others. d. Past Life Person’s past life is one of the way of an author to shows that person quality. What has happened to someone could affect and shape his character. e. Conversation of Others People usually talk about someone else and this could help readers to understand the character of the person spoken in the conversation. Through people’s conversation about someone else and what they say about him, this could be a way of the author tells person’s character. f. Reaction Person’s reaction of situations and events can make readers get to know his character. g. Direct Comment Person’s character could be shown from direct comments from the author. h. Thoughts The author is able to tell us about what a person’s thinking about. This is one thing that we cannot do in real life. Therefore we are also able to know everyone’s thoughts in the story because reader is in privileged position. i. Mannerisms The author can tell readers something about character through his manner, unconventional behaviors or habits. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI 13

3. Critical Approaches