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A well-developed character in a literary work has many facets, just as a real person does. When you analyze a character, ask yourself the following questions about the portrayal of the character:
1. Appearance
How does the character look and dress? What do these aspects of appearance reveal
about the character?
2. Words and actions
What kinds of things does the character say and do? What kind of language does the
character use? What can the reader learn about the character from his or her words and
actions?
3. Background
Where did the character grow up? What kind of educational background does the
character have? What past experiences has the character had? How does the
character�s background affect his or her thoughts and actions in the present?
4. Personality
Does the character tend to be emotional or rational? principled or unscrupulous?
obstinate or open-minded? caring or cold?
5. Motivation
What makes the character act and speak as he or she does? What does the character
value? What are the character�s goals? dreams? desires? needs?
6. Relationships
How does the character interact with other characters in the work? Who are his or her
friends and enemies?
7. Conflict
Is the character involved in some conflict? If so, is the conflict internal-within the
character�s mind-or external-between the character and an outside force? How is the
conflict resolved?
8. Change
Does the character change or grow in the course of the story? If so, how? How does
the reader know that the character has changed?
