Review of Related Studies
10 developed characters and his or her roles in a story is just to support the
development of the major character 1999: 20. In the intrinsic elements, characters are the actors involved in the plot of
the story, including their moral, intellectual, and emotional qualities. Abrams got new terms to distinguish the kind of character in a story. He introduced flat and
round characters. A flat character is a character of a single idea or quality and does not have
much individualizing detail. A round character is a character of complex ideas in temperament and motivation and this character can surprise us just
like the person in a real life Abrams, 1999: 33.
Charactes are closely related with characterization. Characterization discusses the presence of people in the story in which it portrays on the
character’s action, speech, or physical appearance. One character can be differentiated with another character because they have their own personality and
physical attributes. Murphy 1972: 161-173 explains some details of the way how to
characterize a character in a novel. He explains through the nine ways in order to make the reader aware in characterizing the c
haracter’s personality. a. Personal Description
The author can describe a character’s appearance like the face, body, cloth of the character. The personal description is very important because it can give
clues to the character. b. Character as Seen by Another
Instead of describing a character directly the author can depict him thoroughly the eyes and opinions of another.
11 c. Speech
The author can give some clues or insight to the character through what the character says. Whenever the character is having a conversation with another,
he or she indirectly gives a clue for the readers to interpret what their characteristic is.
d. Past Life By permitting the readers learn something about people past life, the
author can give some clues to the events that have helped to shape a person character.
e. Conversation of others The author can also give the reader some clues to person’s character
through the conversation of other people and the thing they say about him. f. Reaction
The author can also give the readers som e clues to a person’s character by
permitting us know how that person reacts to various situation and events. g. Direct Comment
The author can give the readers direct knowledge of what a person is thinking about what is the person’s mind and he feels reflect on his character.
h. Thoughts The author gives the reader direct knowledge of what a person is thinking
about and it reflects his personality.
12 i. Mannerism
The character’s mannerism and habits in his or her life can describe the character’s personality.