If you think of a fictional character as a balloon, the rounder the character, the “bigger” they seem. Characters who are more fully developed—round characters—become key elements in a novel and provide great clues about the novel’s themes. Round characters are often dynamic as well—they’re transformed in some way by the events of the story’s plot. Readers are expected to notice how these characters learn and grow, gathering clues about the story’s larger meaning.
Think about the characters in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Which characters are round, and which are flat? Which are dynamic, and which are static? Check your understanding of character development by answering the questions below.
What kind of character is Cassie?
- round and static
- flat and round
- round and dynamic
- flat and dynamic
You know a lot of information about Cassie. (After all, she is the story’s narrator.) You can already see how the novel’s events are changing the way Cassie thinks and acts.
You know a lot of information about Cassie. (After all, she is the story’s narrator.) You can already see how the novel’s events are changing the way Cassie thinks and acts.
You know a lot of information about Cassie. (After all, she is the story’s narrator.) You can already see how the novel’s events are changing the way Cassie thinks and acts.
You know a lot of information about Cassie. (After all, she is the story’s narrator.) You can already see how the novel’s events are changing the way Cassie thinks and acts.
Which type of character is Mr. Simms?
- flat and static
- round and dynamic
- flat, but dynamic
- static, but round
Mr. Simms is mentioned a few times in the novel—and in one very important scene, but you don’t learn much about him, his life before the story began, or his thoughts. Flat characters are rarely dynamic because you simply don’t know enough about them to determine whether or not they have changed.
Mr. Simms is mentioned a few times in the novel—and in one very important scene, but you don’t learn much about him, his life before the story began, or his thoughts. Flat characters are rarely dynamic because you simply don’t know enough about them to determine whether or not they have changed.
Mr. Simms is mentioned a few times in the novel—and in one very important scene, but you don’t learn much about him, his life before the story began, or his thoughts. Flat characters are rarely dynamic because you simply don’t know enough about them to determine whether or not they have changed.
Mr. Simms is mentioned a few times in the novel—and in one very important scene, but you don’t learn much about him, his life before the story began, or his thoughts. Flat characters are rarely dynamic because you simply don’t know enough about them to determine whether or not they have changed.
Which type of character is T.J.?
- round and dynamic
- round and static
- flat and dynamic
- flat and static
Halfway through the novel, you know a lot about T.J., such as his personality, his family members, and home life. But T.J. hasn’t changed his way of looking at the world and reacting to it. He is pretty much the same T.J. that you read about in Chapter 1.
Halfway through the novel, you know a lot about T.J., such as his personality, his family members, and home life. But T.J. hasn’t changed his way of looking at the world and reacting to it. He is pretty much the same T.J. that you read about in Chapter 1.
Halfway through the novel, you know a lot about T.J., such as his personality, his family members, and home life. But T.J. hasn’t changed his way of looking at the world and reacting to it. He is pretty much the same T.J. that you read about in Chapter 1.
Halfway through the novel, you know a lot about T.J., such as his personality, his family members, and home life. But T.J. hasn’t changed his way of looking at the world and reacting to it. He is pretty much the same T.J. that you read about in Chapter 1.
Which of the story’s events makes Big Ma seem most round as a character?
- Mr. Morrison’s arrival at the Logan home
- the incident with Mr. Simms in Strawberry
- one of the times when she talks to Cassie
- Little Man’s experience with the school book
After the events in Strawberry, readers learn much more about Big Ma’s thoughts, feelings, and the experience behind her actions and decisions.
After the events in Strawberry, readers learn much more about Big Ma’s thoughts, feelings, and the experience behind her actions and decisions.
After the events in Strawberry, readers learn much more about Big Ma’s thoughts, feelings, and the experience behind her actions and decisions.
After the events in Strawberry, readers learn much more about Big Ma’s thoughts, feelings, and the experience behind her actions and decisions.
Summary
Questions answered correctly:
Questions answered incorrectly:
Question
For a character to seem round to readers, the author must provide plenty of details about a character’s personality and thoughts. What are two different types of characterization that authors use to share details about characters? What is the difference between these two?
