Readers can also interpret characters through dialogue, action and thought that are expressed in the novel.
Henkle states that there are two kinds of character, major characters and minor characters. Major characters are the most important and complicated
characters in a story whereas minor characters are the opposite. The responses to the experiences of minor characters are less complex than major characters 92-97.
Besides, a character can be static or dynamic. According to Holman and Harmon, “A static character is one who changes little if at all. Things happen to
such a character without things happening within” 83. Static character does not show any important changes in response to some actions. On the other hand, they
also state that “A dynamic character is one who is modified by actions and experiences, and one objectives of the work in which the character appears is to
reveal the consequences of these actions” 83. As a result in response to some actions, there is a development in character’s personality that is called as dynamic
character. The theory of character is important because this theory can help me to
describe Mr. Boone’s personality as seen in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night – Time. The analysis deals with Mr. Boone’s reaction and thought.
2.1.2 Theory of Characterization
Characterization comes from the word character. Holman and Harmon, describe characterization as the imagination of the author about the imagery person
which appears in the story as if they exist as lifelike 81. Whereas Rohrberger and
Woods describe characterization as a process by which an author creates characters 20-21. They also state characterization as a device to make readers believe that
the character is the particular type of person. Through characterization, the author describes the characteristic of each
character. The aim of characterization is to make readers understand the character clearly, so that they will follow the story more easily.
Murphy explains
nine methods
in the characterization process. Those are:
2.1.2.1 Personal Description Describing character is through character’s appearance and clothes. This
description can help readers visualize the physical characteristic of the character such as the weight, the height, the skin color, and the level of the character.
2.1.2.2 Character as seen by the others The author describes a character by using other’s opinion. The opinion may
come from the others around the character. 2.1.2.3
Speech The author describes the character in the story through what character says
in his or her conversation and in giving opinion. 2.1.2.4
Past Life Readers will understand the character in the story by learning the
character’s past life. By learning the character’s past life, readers shape the character’s personality.
2.1.2.5 Conversation of Others
Readers can take clues of person’s character through the conversation of other characters while they tell about a person’s character.
2.1.2.6 Reaction
The author gives clues of a person’s character by letting readers understand how the character reacts to various variation and event.
2.1.2.7 Direct Comment
The author can describe or comment on a person’s character directly. 2.1.2.8
Thoughts What a person is thinking about can also be used to describe a person’s
character. 2.1.2.9
Mannerism This part shows that the author is able to describe a person’s mannerism and
habits that may tell readers something about person’s character 161-173.
2.1.3 The theory of Critical Approach
