人物分类

Heroes
Some critics prefer the word protagonist to describe the main character in a modern novel. In his Anatomy of Criticism (1957), Northrop Frye traces the history of Western literature in terms of the “diminishing power of the hero.” As Frye represents it, as literature grows more “realistic,” it presents the hero as progressively weaker. Thus in 20th-century literature, the hero is likely to be an ANTI-HERO. And the enemy or rival of the protagonist is called “antagonist”.
A basic distinction between types of characters is that between “flat” and “round.” Flat characters tend to be minor figures, who remain unchanged throughout the story. Round characters—those seen in a more rounded fashion— usually change in the course of the story. Precaution should be taken that the characters in a novel can not neatly divided into round ones and flat ones. Usually there is a scale running from the deep and rich to the very shallow and simple.
Main Characters And Minor Characters
Minor characters are those in remote and static relation with the hero. It is wrong to think that minor characters are all unimportant. In some novels, one or some of the minor characters may serve a critical role, structurally or interpretationally. e.g. Meyer Wolfsheim in The Great Gatsby
Heroes
The word ”hero” originally refers to a man, in mythology and legend, often of divine ancestry, who is endowed with great courage and strength, celebrated for his bold exploits, and favored by the gods. Thus in traditional usage, it implies qualities of valor and courage, but in modern literature it can as easily apply to characters who lack “heroic” qualities, a perspective ironically alluded to by Robert Musil in the title of his novel The Man Without Qualities(1930–43). As a consequence, some critics, annoyed by the connotation of “hero”, prefer the word “protagonist”, which sounds neutral.
Round And Flat Character
Some main characters and many minor characters are flat characters.
e.g. Cohn fails to grow out of his college day and see his problems clearly. (The Sun Also Rises) Catherine is always in fear of rain and loves Henry immensely. (A Farewell to Arms), Roger Chilingworth is obsessed all the time with revenge. (The Scarlet Letter)
⑴ By characters’ roles in the novel: Heroes Main characters and minor characters Foils(陪衬者)
Heroes
The character on whom a novel centers is called the hero or heroine when it is a female character. The major figure in a drama or narrative. In the novel, the word “hero” is free of such noble requirements and any central characters can be labeled as heroes. e.g. Jonathan Wild is the hero in the novel of the same name by Henry Fielding, though he is a notorious highwayman.
Foils
e.g. Wilson in The Great Gatsby works by strengthening. Gatsby lost his lover to Tom and Wilson lost his wife to Tom. By presenting Wilson’s case the novelist intends to point out the profound cause of Gatsby’ tragedy. e.g. Dr. Watson in the stories of Sherlock Holmes serves as a foil to the hero, rendering the detective smarter than he would otherwise appear to the reah）
Classification of characters
By characters’ roles in the novel By the degree of characters’ development
Classification of characters
Foils
Foil characters are ones that help enhance the intensity of the hero by strengthening or contrasting. They may be main characters or minor characters. In a word, they serve as foils to the hero or heroine.
Round And Flat Character
Most heroes are round characters who grow emotionally or spiritually.
e.g. Emma grows from innocence to self-knowledge. (Emma) Pip comes to realize that wealth can not make a gentleman. (Great Expectations), Stephen Dedalus grows up to question Ireland’s cultural and religious traditions. (A Portrait of Artist as a Young Man) Henry becomes disappointed with those sacred words about war and the war itself. (A Farewell to Arms)
Classification of characters
⑵ By the degree of characters’ development Round character Flat character This division is proposed by E. M. Forster in Aspects of the Novel (1917).
Main Characters And Minor Characters
The main or major characters are those in close and dynamic relation with the hero or heroine. Close relation does not mean good relation. e.g. Pablo in For Whom the Bells Tolls is constantly finding trouble with the hero Jordan, yet he is a main character as his wife Pilar is.