characterisations

Characterisation refers to the process by which an author reveals the personality of a character. This can be done directly, where the author explicitly states what the character is like, or indirectly, where the author shows the character's personality through their actions, speech, thoughts, appearance, and how other characters react to them. Indirect characterisation is often considered more engaging as it allows the reader to infer and interpret the character's traits, fostering a deeper connection.

Authors employ various techniques to achieve characterisation. Dialogue, for instance, reveals a character's background, education, mood, and relationships. A character's thoughts and feelings provide direct insight into their inner world. Their physical appearance can suggest their personality, lifestyle, or social standing. Furthermore, the way other characters interact with or speak about a character can offer clues about their reputation and impact on their environment. Ultimately, effective characterisation makes characters believable, complex, and memorable, contributing significantly to the overall impact and meaning of a narrative.