They are written specifically so audiences can pay attention to them for a specific reason.Į M Forester came up with the term in his book Aspects of the Novel in 1927 and recognized that both types of characters are necessary. They usually play an important role in the story. A round character is nuanced and well thought-out. Their purpose in a story is usually perfunctory. They are two-dimensional and lack nuance. Flat characters are more like window-dressing. By contrast, round characters are complex and undergo development, sometimes sufficiently to surprise the reader. Flat characters are two-dimensional in that they are relatively uncomplicated and do not change throughout a work. Characters in a novel, short story, play, or film can be either flat or round. Flat and round characters are one such classification. Characters can be sorted into different types according to their creation and development. Pearson, 2004.Characters are a vital component of any literary work. Deepening Fiction: A Practical Guide for Intermediate and Advanced Writers. Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft. I think I’ll go lie “flat” for awhile now.īurroway, Janet, et al. Dalloway, Achilles, Captain Ahab, Lady Macbeth – all serve as examples of rounded characters.įorster summed up the nature of “round” characters by saying, “As for the round characters proper, they have already been defined by implication and no more need be said.” (p. Think of Hamlet, Huck Finn, Anna Karenina, Mrs. Round characters invite us to see the world as they see it. experience conflict and therefore character development.have potential to change and develop throughout the story.are convincing and rich in character with flaws and qualities.appear human, with multiple aspects to their personalities.As readers, we invest more emotion in round characters and may well feel disappointed when we no longer have them in our lives, once we finish reading their stories. The term “round” refers to characters sufficiently complex “to be able to surprise the reader without losing credibility,” as William Harmon and Hugh Holman state in their classic work, A Handbook to Literature. ![]() When a flat character takes on multiple aspects and a realistic character defects, the flat persona curves towards the rounded character. are easily recognizable by readers and remembered for these very characteristics.īesides Miss Havisham, other well-known examples of flat characters include Sykes from Oliver Twist, Benvolio in “Romeo and Juliet,” and sitcom characters such as the clueless Dad or Mom in “The Goldbergs” or Newman in “Seinfeld.”.predictable in terms of their behavior.help create atmosphere, mood, or comedy.maintain the characteristics or familiar traits of a stereotype, e.g., Miss Havisham as the jilted bride. ![]() Many stories and novels in fact feature flat characters as main characters, Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson for example, as well as the characters in various stories such as the “Twilight” series.
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