Character Characterization Character and Characterization

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a. Character

Abrams proposes that character can be classified into protagonist and antagonist 128. The protagonist is the central figure of a story and usually referred to the main character of the story. Whereas, antagonist creates conflicts or barriers that the protagonist must overcome. Antagonist is not always human; it can be circumstances, situation that creates conflict. Perrine suggests two kinds of character, namely static and dynamic character 71. Static character is understood as a character who does not undergo the process of change development as result of the things that happen to him. Dynamic character is stated as character who changes when things happen to him Holman and Harmon 83. Perrine states, “Dynamic character undergoes an important, basic, and permanent change in his character, personality, or perspective” 71. Rohrberger and Woods state that character is a person in a story who acts out in a particular time and place, some kind of conflict in a pattern of events. According to them, there are two kinds of characters, namely flat and round characters. Flat characters are one-sided Rohrberger and Woods 180. Laar and Schoonderwoerd propose that flat characters are constructed in a single idea or quality and can be summed up in a sentence 170. This kind of character is seen as an actual living people from one particular angle and does not reflect the living completely. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI 8 Round characters are many-sided Rohrberger and Woods. Laar and Schoonderwoerd add round characters are represented in their wholeness and in all different aspects 170. In round character, there is always the element of surprise. This kind of character is also artistically speaking and a higher achievement.

b. Characterization

Characterization is the process by which the author creates a character Rohrberger and Woods 20. It also deals with how an author conveys to the reader what sort of people they are, how he makes the reader get to know and understand them Murphy 161. According to Rohrberger and Woods, there are two kinds of characterization, namely Direct and Dramatic means. Direct means is used to describe the physical appearances of the characters. Dramatic means characters are portrayed in a situation to show what they are by the way they behave or speak. Murphy adds nine methods in characterization 161-173. First, Personal Description , the author directly describes the characters’ appearance and clothes. Second, Character as seen by Another, the author choices words to convey the reader through the eyes and opinions of another, so the reader gets a reflected image. Third, Speech, the author gives clues of the character through conversation, forward opinions, or what the person says. Fourth, Past Life, the author lets the reader to learn something about a person’s past life by giving clues 9 through directing comment on the character, person’s thoughts, his conversation or through the medium of another person. Fifth, Conversation of others, the author gives clues through the conversations of other people and the things they say about him. Sixth, Reactions, the author gives clues through how the person reacts to various situations and events. Seventh, Direct comment, the author directly gives comment on a person’s character. Eighth, Thoughts, the author gives the reader of what a person is thinking about. Ninth, Mannerisms, the author describes a person’s mannerisms, habits or idiosyncrasies which tell the reader about the character.

2. Critical Approach