![]() Since flat characters do not change and are predictable, they provide a great contrast when you want to emphasize the changes that your dynamic character has undergone. Their most important purpose is that flat characters provide a reference point for dynamic, round characters to shine. They can provide the identity of specific settings: the barista in the café, the coworker sitting across, and the kind, old woman in the neighborhood. Consider Mary Jane from Spider-Man– she is a two-dimensional character used mainly as Peter Parker’s love interest and the story’s damsel in distress. Flat characters often complement the development of the main character, and if they are the main character, they complement the development of the plot.įlat characters are often minor ones present in the story to populate the world, they are used extensively to complete and give personality to your story-world. Used creatively, flat characters can make the story alluring. You have to first understand that flat characters fulfill specific roles in a character cast, and they are indeed important to have in your story. Having a flat character does not immediately make your book a failure. the readers may be introduced to specific aspects of a static character’s personality, increasing their complexity without ever changing. Static characters, despite not undergoing a significant change in the story, can still be round characters: e.g. Dynamic characters, since they undergo a major transformation throughout the novel, are often round, because we see them become more complex as they live through the story. We can connote that the rounder the character, the more complex and, in turn, interesting they are.ĭynamicity, on the other hand, refers to the amount of change, often internal, that the character undergoes over the course of the story. When we talk about roundness and flatness, we usually refer to the complexity of the character and their personality. The difference lies between the definition of roundness/flatness and the state of being dynamic or static. The Difference between a Flat Character and Static CharacterĪ flat character can also be thought of as a static character, yet a static character is not necessarily flat. Your impression of a flat character rarely changes throughout the story, and they remain consistent across time. Falling back into cliché character tropes, they are simple characters that might not offer much depth to their characterizations. These are often called “one-dimensional” or “two-dimensional” because of their minimal or lack of complexity. Go through an emotional and mental transformation.On the other hand, a three-dimensional or round character will often: The character also doesn’t go through any transformation that makes them have a well-rounded personality.Ī flat character is the opposite of a round character, who has a complex personality which is often memorable and relatable to the readers. What is a Flat CharacterĪ flat character is a persona with an often predictable personality that shows little or no ambition and motivation. That’s why we’ve prepared this piece to help you understand what a flat character is and how to round them out. ![]() The key concept here is to know how to identify flat characters, and if their flatness contributes to the narrative that you are aiming for in your story. ![]() Sure, you might know flat characters to be often uninteresting and boring, but there are many flat characters in literature that are actually exciting and beloved! However, the truth of the matter is that having a flat character is not inherently bad. Just knowing that your character is a flat cardboard cut-out is a stake to the heart to a budding author. You might have heard that having a flat character is bad, and you might hear a disheartening comment from an editor or reviewer that you have a flat character.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |