Elements of a Short Story: Characters
There are several elements to writing a short story from start to finish. Conflict, climax, foreshadowing, and narrative point of view all play a part, but none could take place without characters. Though each element relies on another in order to navigate its own way through the story, and give the story life, the plot could not progress without characters to carry out actions, speak, and interact with one another and their setting. Characters, in their own way, make a story or break a story.
Characters are important to the thematic development of a short story because they are the physical elements that help drive the story forward. While they can have symbolic meaning in some instances, they also are the elements of a short story that propel the story forward through action, though, and dialogue. They can be human, animals, or mythical creatures, and are defined as creatures based on their ability to interact with one another. There are various ways to depict a character in order to drive the plot forward in a short story, though typically there are two primary types: the protagonist and the antagonist. Each plays their own part in driving the story forward. The protagonist acts as the main character of the short story, while the antagonist is the character who typically opposes the protagonist. The two likely develop a conflict between one another, which allows for other literary elements to develop, also driving forward the story. Moreover, the protagonist usually represents the typical “good” guy, while the antagonist represents the “bad” guy. These opposing sides can begin to hold symbolic meaning depending on what the book will be about. The characters may symbolize something outside of their initial conflict, or they may echo their conflict. Regardless of which it is, the representation of the protagonist and the antagonist allows for thematic driven development of the short story without help from any other element.
Narration, though its own separate element, gains help from the characters almost entirely. The protagonist and the antagonist can take on different characteristics and be written in different ways to help push the story forward. For example, one of the characters or both of the characters could be written in first person. The character will tell the story from their point of view. It allows the reader to be inside the character’s head and know all of their thoughts. We know their next move, and how they feel about everything. The reader sees the story as this character views it at that time. Therefore, the short story progresses as this character views is, whether a conflict arises or not. Stories can also be told in second person, wherein the character tells the reader the story and refers to them as, “you,” or third person, wherein a third party narrator is present. The characters primarily propel the story forward themselves using first and second person narration, as they are the ones speaking. However, third person narration could not take place without characters either, in which case they are necessary for this element, as well. Depending on who is speaking, the protagonist or the antagonist will allow for more of a thematic concept to build within the story. For instance, if the protagonist is using first person narration, the story will build upon a representation of the protagonist’s symbolism. The reverse can be said if the antagonist is speaking and in either case, thematic progression occurs as the story continues.
Protagonists and antagonists can also be written as static characters. Static characteristics are typically reserved for antagonists, as they are characters who have views that do not change throughout the story. Protagonists often undergo a transformation, being the hero of the story, while the antagonist, or bad guy, remains bad. The protagonist is more often written as a dynamic character, or a character with views and ideas that change throughout the story. It accounts for any transformation, allowing for the story to continue to the next phase. Characters can also be flat, as in one dimensional, or round, as in full developed. Round characters help short stories develop the most and often incite the most change and conflict in the storyline. Thematic development takes place the most easily under the tutelage of round characters. We often see protagonists as round characters, as they are often the ones who adapt and change throughout a story. If they are the narrator, the rounded protagonist has the power to shape an entire story thematically for the greater good of whatever their cause may be, depending on the topic of the story. If an antagonist is narrating, and is a static character, it will likely be a flat themed story about how evil always wins. The progression will be predictable and boring.
In sum, a character helps develop specific themes in different ways than other elements of a story. For example, the antagonist and protagonist drive the theme of the story in terms of conflict, and sometimes symbolism. They represent the good and bad in the story. Characters also have the ability to narrate the story. They can use first or second person, allowing the reader to be in their head. This drives the story forward and, depending on who is narrating the story, allows for a theme to be built around the protagonist’s agenda, or the antagonist’s agenda. Finally, how the characters are written allows for a theme to develop. Static characters remain flat and stuck in their ways, demanding for a one-dimensional theme, while well-rounded characters allow for transformation, and assume there will be a guided theme throughout the story based on the character’s decisions. Characters, in their way, are most important part to thematic development outside of symbolic objects and settings.
