Characterization is possibly the most important element in a text. Long after readers forget the plot of a story, they still usually remember the characteristics of the main character. For example, when I was in seventh grade, I read "Cry, the Beloved Country". This novel expresses the touching relationship that a father and son have with each other. Honestly, though, I don't remember much more in the plot than that. I remember that the story took place in Johannesburg, South Africa during a time with the apartheid was still strong -that's about it, though! I do, however, remember the characteristics/personalities of the character. The father was a priest who was very sincere and caring. He tried to help as many people as possible and was very donated his time to the public very generously. The lawyer, the priest's brother, was very arrogant and materialistic. He showed no affection towards his brother and shooed him away because talking to him was a waste of time...
You get the point! The characters have made long lasting impressions on me, while the plot only was a temporary impression. I believe that authors usually write an interesting plot in order to buy the reader's attention and interest. Some authors even try to convey their themes through the plot. Most, however, rely on the actions of the characters to highlight a certain unifying idea. The characters add flavor to the text because they bring their personalities and their backgrounds, which adds diversity to the story. I believe that characterization is the most important element in a text because it is the vehicle through which the author completes all goals he wants accomplish through the novel.
I completely agree! This is also present in "The Destructors." Each one of the characters (especially Trevor and Blackie) bring something different to represent the motif of violence.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. The fact that most of us remember characters more often than plot also shows that we can better relate to the parts that play the story, rather than the story itself.
ReplyDeleteSome authors do seem incredibly adept at creating characters that perfectly embody whatever point they're trying to get across. I think that some of the best examples of characterization are ones where you don't even realize the character's relation to the theme of the reading, but they still serve as a great tool for getting the point across.
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