Welcome to Reading 7! - Home



#Name: ______________________________ Date: __________ Advisory:______ “The Lottery” by Shirley JacksonCharacterization Review:1) Protagonist: The person/thing that drives the novel. The central figure. Not necessarily heroic. Is there a protagonist in the “The Lottery”? ______________________________ 2) Antagonist: Represents obstacles that the protagonist must face. Who or what is the antagonist in the story? (Hint: what is the reason for the conflict?) ________________________________________What is the major conflict/problem in the story? ________________________________________________________________________________________________Chart Directions: Sometimes, round characters can be dynamic or flat. Flat characters can just be static. Think of the movie Aladdin and it’s characters. Sort these characters in the boxes below. Aladdin….Genie….Abu (the monkey)...Jafar (the sorcerer)…JasmineCharacterDynamic(changes)Static(does not change)Round(complex)The character has many “layers ” AND changes in the story. In Aladdin: Aladdin, Genie, JasmineThe character has many “layers.” BUT does not change throughout the story. In Aladdin: AbuOften found in protagonists in books for younger children or in a supporting/side-kick role. Flat(not complex)NO FLAT CHARACTERS ARE DYNAMIC. Readers do not know enough about these characters for them to recognize a change. The character does not have many layers, is stereotypical AND does not change. In Aladdin: JafarIn very simple books, or in fairy tales, the protagonist may be flat and static. Also appropriate for minor characters in other books.3) Flat Characters: Represent a single characteristic, trait, or idea. They are not developed. Who are the flat characters in “The Lottery”? EVERYONE! In “The Lottery,” why would Shirley Jackson (the author) not fully develop a character? What purpose does this serve? She wants the reader to be kept in the dark about the inner qualities and thoughts of the villagers. The reader focuses not on the people, but on the lottery itself.4) Round: Complex, multi-dimensional, and developed, embodying a number of qualities and traits. Usually the main character in the books you have read. Think of an example. Why are there no round characters in “The Lottery”? What purpose does this serve? It keeps the reader in suspense and builds mystery.5) Dynamic: The character changes. This includes changes in understanding, commitment, and values. Physical changes do not apply unless they result in some change within the character's self (understanding, commitment or values). Which characters change over the course of a text? (Hint: it is only one person) Tessie, a typical small-town housewife How do they change? No character under goes a major change by the end of the story except for Tessie when she suddenly realizes she hates the lottery because she’s going to die, but still it is downplayed because any one of those characters would have that same reaction if they knew that they were going to die. (lack of fairness would be evident only to the victim.)6) Static: The character does not change. Supporting characters. Sidekicks. Why not make a character change? To help the non-static character stand out and illuminate how they have changed. Static, however, most certainly does not mean boring.What happens to the one dynamic (changing) character in “The Lottery”? Tessie is stoned to death and in turn, blamed for all of the village’s problems. She is the scapegoat.What is Shirley Jackson trying to tell the reader by having so many static and flat characters? ANSWERS WILL VARY- Blindly following tradition is wrong. You must question tradition, etc. ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download