A static character, as you might be able to guess, is the opposite. So, mixing and matching is possible. And flat characters might remain the same throughout the plot, but not necessarily. Round characters are are complex, surprising, and feel like real people.
Flat characters are simple, stereotypical, and serve a singular purpose. The protagonist and leading cast of characters will usually be round. If a character is a main part of the story, we want them to be interesting.
We want them to feel alive, as Forster would say, so that the reader can feel interested in them and engage with the story through them. This happens best when a character is complex and layered, surprising and interesting. Flat characters are usually in the background. While round characters might be more unpredictable, the flat ones are there to offer some stability.
Not only will it take up way too much time and effort, in the end your book will be weaker because of it — because the reader will be confused about what character they need to care about. The trick is getting the right mix between round and flat characters, and striking that balancing act is one of the toughest jobs of the writer.
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. What is a Round Character? Did you: Admire that Frodo, in Lord of the Rings, persisted in his journey even when it felt impossible and relied on his friendships to make it through?
Relate to Mary from The Secret Garden, who explored in a time when she felt trapped and learned to love and heal because of her connection to nature?
Connect to the inner turmoil Holden Caulfield went through in The Catcher in the Rye as a young person trying to find meaning in the world and in himself?
Well, they were probably round. Round characters can only be built over time. Round characters have to be surprising. We knew he was good, but not that he would become so angry at death he would reverse the course of human history. We knew he was in love with Lois, but not that he prioritized her above all other humans. Round characters need to change in the eyes of the reader. Round characters need robust backstories. Things like: Where a character is from Social and economic status Education Family and friends These bits of background can all contribute to what a character chooses to do and why.
Round characters need internal conflict. He does terrible things because he wants to prove himself. Round characters have contradictions. Take a look at Macbeth. What is a flat character? When should you write flat characters? To write a certain genre. Some great examples of active flat characters are all throughout these genres: Fairy Tales. Little Red Riding Hood is only pure and good, and the wolf is only evil and hungry.
Kafka books. These are almost one-dimensional characters — 2 dimensional at their best. But they fulfill the purposes of the story. For example: The next-door neighbor in a story is nosy. She spends all day peeking through the curtains with binoculars. Mostly, major or main characters are round characters. Characteristics of Flat Characters :. On the other hand, the flat characters lack depth and remain same over the course of a narrative.
Thus, they are one-dimensional. They do not surprise their readers, as they have no issues to solve; therefore, many blockbuster movies use several flat characters to avoid complexities. He or she may even contradictory. A round character cannot be summed up in a sentence or two. Round characters often tend to be dynamic characters since they undergo a change in the novel. Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice is an example of round character. Flat character is an uncomplicated, two-dimensional character who may not be fully delineated by the author.
Round character is a complex character whose personality, motives and other features are fully delineated by the author. Flat characters remain the same throughout the work. Flat characters are characterized by one or two traits. Round characters are characterized by many different, even contradictory character traits. Flat characters can be summed in one or two sentences. Round characters cannot be summed up easily.
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