Theory of Characterization Review of Literary Theories 1. Theory of Character

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2. Theory of Characterization

Character and characterization cannot be separated. In real life, if we judge someone’s characters, we will use characterization. According to Rohrberger and Wood, characterization is the process by which the author creates a character. This is used by the author to decide the characters of the story. Characterization is used in order to give better understanding about the character of the story. The readers will have an understanding that the characters present the characters of the author. The readers are able to know that the characters are different, because the author gives different things for each character 20. According to Murphy, there are 9 ways in which the author attempts to make his characters understandable for his readers 161- 173. a. Personal description The author describes a person’s appearance and clothes. We can see from his hair, skin colour, his build, his hand, face, skin, eyes, and clothing. b. Character as seen by other The author describes the character indirectly. It can be seen through the other person’s eyes. The other person in the story gives opinion about the other character. c. Speech The author gives some insights through what a person says. Whenever a person speaks, has conversation with others, and gives opinion, the readers will be able to understand the characters. 11 d. Past life The author gives explanation about the character through the person’s past life. This can be done by direct comment by the author through the person’s thoughts, through his conversation or through the medium of another person. e. Conversation of others The author gives the readers clues to a person’s character through the conversations of other people and the things they say about him. People who talk about other people and the things they say often give as a clue to the character of the person spoken about. f. Reaction The author gives the readers a clue to a person’s character by letting the readers know that person reacts to various situations and events. From the reaction he has toward various situations and events, the readers will be able to find out what kind of character a person has. g. Direct comment The author describes or comments on a person’s character directly. From the author’s direct comments on a person’s character, the readers will be able to know the characters directly. h. Thoughts The author gives us direct knowledge of what a person is thinking about. The author is able to do what people cannot do in real life. The author tells the readers 12 about thought of different people. The readers are able to know different person’s thought. i. Mannerisms The author describes a person’s mannerisms, habits or idiosyncrasies in a story. The readers are able to know a person’s character from his mannerism, habits, or idiosyncrasies.

3. Critical Approach