CHARACTER FUNCTIONS
Each character serves a function within the story and this function provides clues about how to develop and portray the various roles. The function will relate to the telling of the story and what purpose each character fulfills. Some characters are there to give color, texture, and background to the tale, to make the story more credible. Others may promote the theme, viewpoint, and arguments of the author.
For the most part, the minor and major characters' function revolves around the actions of the protagonist, the person or persons for whom the audience is rooting. Some characters will assist or help the protagonist towards his goal while others will hinder this progress. It is also possible for some characters to do both, to at times be a hindrance and, at other times, aid the protagonist. There is a third group that is neutral or serves some other story function.
The following tabulations categorize the most frequently found functions and offer insights into exploring others not listed here.
Assisting The Protagonist.
The protagonist, his strengths, knowledge, skills, obsessions, etc.
Catalyst, the one setting story in motion, providing the clue, forcing a transformation
Friend, lover, confidant, relative, sidekick, the one to whom the protagonist reveals dimensions of his character.
Helpers, assistants, servants, co-workers, co-cohorts, specialists, craftsmen, people doing their jobs thereby making the protagonist journey toward his goal easier.
Mentor, wise old man, good mother, teacher, the givers of wisdom and knowledge
The victim, the prize, the objective or goal. The person to be saved, won, or attained.
The antagonist, his weaknesses, flaws, self-doubts, misconceptions, etc.
Traitors in the opposition's camp, ambitious underlings, embittered subordinates.
Hindering The Protagonist.
The protagonist himself, his self-doubts, flaws, imperfections, obsessions, lacks strength, skills and knowledge.
The antagonist, his strengths, knowledge, skills, obsessions, and goals
The antagonist's subordinates, helpers, assistants, or people doing their jobs in such a way that hinders the progress of the protagonist.
The victim, prize, or goal. Ones which have phobias, selfish motives, attitudes, misconceptions, etc., which hinder rescue or attainment.
People with agendas or traits, which test or tempt the protagonist and thus better define his character and importance.
Traitors in the protagonist camp selling out for personal gain
Tricksters, mischievous pranksters, con artist indiscriminately applying their trade
Neutral characters or those serving other story functions.
Judge, arbitrator, God(s), deciders of fate.
Sacrificial pawns, pawns
To promote theme, viewpoint, arguments of writer
To provide color, texture, background, atmosphere, credibility to story
The prophet, visionary, voice of reason, philosopher
Red Herring, probable suspects
Character providing comic relief, tension
Narrator
The character's function should not be confused with the character's objective. Let's say a taxi driver is rushing the protagonist to the airport to catch a flight. The driver is not thinking, I'm helping the hero. He may be unaware of the hero's mission. Instead, he's hurrying because he wants a big tip... or he likes the thrill of driving fast.
Each character serves a function within the story and this function provides clues about how to develop and portray the various roles. The function will relate to the telling of the story and what purpose each character fulfills. Some characters are there to give color, texture, and background to the tale, to make the story more credible. Others may promote the theme, viewpoint, and arguments of the author.
For the most part, the minor and major characters' function revolves around the actions of the protagonist, the person or persons for whom the audience is rooting. Some characters will assist or help the protagonist towards his goal while others will hinder this progress. It is also possible for some characters to do both, to at times be a hindrance and, at other times, aid the protagonist. There is a third group that is neutral or serves some other story function.
The following tabulations categorize the most frequently found functions and offer insights into exploring others not listed here.
Assisting The Protagonist.
The protagonist, his strengths, knowledge, skills, obsessions, etc.
Catalyst, the one setting story in motion, providing the clue, forcing a transformation
Friend, lover, confidant, relative, sidekick, the one to whom the protagonist reveals dimensions of his character.
Helpers, assistants, servants, co-workers, co-cohorts, specialists, craftsmen, people doing their jobs thereby making the protagonist journey toward his goal easier.
Mentor, wise old man, good mother, teacher, the givers of wisdom and knowledge
The victim, the prize, the objective or goal. The person to be saved, won, or attained.
The antagonist, his weaknesses, flaws, self-doubts, misconceptions, etc.
Traitors in the opposition's camp, ambitious underlings, embittered subordinates.
Hindering The Protagonist.
The protagonist himself, his self-doubts, flaws, imperfections, obsessions, lacks strength, skills and knowledge.
The antagonist, his strengths, knowledge, skills, obsessions, and goals
The antagonist's subordinates, helpers, assistants, or people doing their jobs in such a way that hinders the progress of the protagonist.
The victim, prize, or goal. Ones which have phobias, selfish motives, attitudes, misconceptions, etc., which hinder rescue or attainment.
People with agendas or traits, which test or tempt the protagonist and thus better define his character and importance.
Traitors in the protagonist camp selling out for personal gain
Tricksters, mischievous pranksters, con artist indiscriminately applying their trade
Neutral characters or those serving other story functions.
Judge, arbitrator, God(s), deciders of fate.
Sacrificial pawns, pawns
To promote theme, viewpoint, arguments of writer
To provide color, texture, background, atmosphere, credibility to story
The prophet, visionary, voice of reason, philosopher
Red Herring, probable suspects
Character providing comic relief, tension
Narrator
The character's function should not be confused with the character's objective. Let's say a taxi driver is rushing the protagonist to the airport to catch a flight. The driver is not thinking, I'm helping the hero. He may be unaware of the hero's mission. Instead, he's hurrying because he wants a big tip... or he likes the thrill of driving fast.
