To develop a two-dimensional character into a more complex and multidimensional individual in a story, techniques such as providing backstory, exploring internal conflicts, showing character growth and development, and revealing layers of personality through interactions with other characters can be used. These techniques help to add depth and complexity to the character, making them more realistic and engaging for the reader.
A round character has many traits, some of which may even be contradictory--a very complex individual
When a character has many personality traits, it likely indicates that the alter is complex and multidimensional. This can make the character more relatable and interesting to readers, as they display a range of emotions and behaviors. It also adds depth to the character, helping to create a well-rounded and dynamic individual.
In "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry, Jim would be considered the round character. He is portrayed as multidimensional, with complex emotions and motivations that drive the story's plot.
The round character in "The Outsiders" is Ponyboy Curtis. He is the protagonist of the novel and undergoes significant development throughout the story, showing various emotions, thoughts, and actions that make him a complex and multidimensional character.
When critics talk of a character being 'one-dimensional' they usually mean that he has no backstory. When Macduff (in Macbeth) says of Macbeth "He has no children" you realise that Macduff and Macbeth both have lives outside the play. (Macduff is a family man, Macbeth is not). Almost all the characters in Shakespeare give hints that they have a life outside the play - they are multidimensional.
The character in "Grendel" that is most clearly a round character is Grendel himself. Through his internal struggles, reflections, and complex emotions, Grendel is portrayed with depth and development throughout the novel, making him multidimensional and dynamic.
A multidimensional character is compelling because they have depth, complexity, and contradictions that make them feel real and relatable. Writers can effectively develop such characters by giving them a backstory, motivations, flaws, and growth throughout the story. Showing different sides of the character through their actions, dialogue, and inner thoughts can also make them more engaging and memorable to readers.
Hamadi in "Hamadi" by Naomi Shihab Nye is a round character. He is complex and multidimensional, showing growth and change throughout the story, rather than remaining stagnant and one-dimensional like a flat character.
How the character looks (physical appearance), how the character thinks/feels, how the character speaks/behaves, and how other characters view the character.
An individual vs. individual is when one characters has a confrontation with another character.
Jonas is a round character because he is complex and multidimensional, displaying a range of emotions and undergoing significant growth and development throughout the story. He is a static character because he does not undergo a fundamental change in his beliefs or personality by the end of the narrative, maintaining his core values and traits.
Some characterization techniques are direct and indirect. Direct characterization is when the author gives direct descriptions of the character he is describing. Indirect would be when an author describes a character by what other people think of him, or what the character says. 1) What the character says or does 2) What others say about him/her 3) Physical description 4) What the character thinks