very often changes or is modified by actions and experiences and one objective of the work in which the character appears is to reveal the consequences of these actions
83.
2.1.2. Theories of Characterization
Holman and Harmon in their A Handbook to Literature define characterization as “The creation of imaginary person. Even though they are created
imaginatively, they are seen to be real and exist for the readers or audience as lifelike 81.”
There are three fundamental methods of characterization in fiction. First, the explicit presentation of the character by the author through direct exposition
illustrated by the action. Second, the presentation of the character in action of the expectation that the reader will be able to deduce the attributes of the actor from the
actions. The last is the representation from within a character of the impact of the actions and emotions on the character’s inner beauty, with the expectation that the
reader will come to a clear understanding of the attributes of the character M.J Murphy distinguishes nine ways of how an author reveals the characters’
personalities and traits to the readers 161–173. First is Personal Description. In the personal description, the author can describe a person’s appearance, such as face,
body and clothes. It is very important because it gives clues to the character. Second, Character as seen by another
. In this case, the author can describe the character
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through the eyes and opinion of another. Third is Speech where the author can give some clues to the character through what a person says when he or she speaks in a
conversation or puts forward an opinion. Forth, Past life. The author can give the reader a clue to events that have helped to shape a person’s character by letting the
reader learn about that person’s past life. The fifth is Conversation with others. The author can give the reader clues to a person‘s character through the conversation of
other people and the things they say about him or her. Sixth is Reaction. In this case, the author gives us a clue to a person’s character by permitting us know how that
person reacts to various situation and events. Next is Thoughts. The author can give the readers direct knowledge of what a person is thinking about because what is in the
person’s mind and what he or she feels are reflected on his or her character. Then, Direct comment
. The author can give comment on a person’s character directly. The last is Mannerism. The author can describe a person’s mannerism, habits or
peculiarities that may also tell you about his or her character.
2.1.3. Critical Approaches
Rohrberger and Woods in their book Reading and Writing about Literature mention five kinds of critical approach 1–15. They are the Formalist approach, the
Biographical approach, the Socio-cultural- historical approach, the Mythopoeic approach, and the Psychological approach.
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