How to do a character analysis in a literary work

Building characters for a literary work is one of the most complex and interesting activities in all of narrative, but there's something equally, if not more, complicated, for both readers and writers: analyzing them. When carrying out this task, it's necessary to carefully study the context of these resources, considering the conflicts based on their construction.

Characters are the driving force of fiction, as they carry the action, emotions, inner conflicts, and often the main message. Therefore, when conducting a literary analysis of a character, we must delve into the key aspects of their psyche , their social environment, and the symbolism that structures the story. In this article, we will discuss how to perform an effective character analysis.

How to do a character analysis in a literary work

Let's start from the beginning: what is character analysis?

In very broad terms, character analysis consists of thoroughly examining the traits, behaviors, motivations, and development of one or more characters within a literary work. This process is much more than simply describing a character : it seeks to interpret their role in the narrative, their connection to other elements, and their symbolic and thematic relevance.

Why is it important to analyze characters?

Good writers don't create characters as mere narrative figures, but rather as projections of parts of themselves, or, conversely, as archetypes of social dilemmas, psychological expressions, or ideological critiques. In this sense, analyzing them allows for many fundamental actions in the narrative process. Among these, the most important are the following:

• Better understand the plot;
• Decipher the main themes of the work;
• Detect internal or social conflicts;
• Study narrative styles and literary resources;
• Interpret the author's message or intention.

Types of characters existing within a narrative work

As with any research, before beginning a thorough analysis, it's necessary to identify the type of character to be studied . To facilitate this process, we've created a list of the most basic character types in literature, which we'll reveal below.

• Protagonist: the main character, center of the conflict and the narrative arc;
• Antagonist: is the one who opposes the protagonist or represents a key obstacle;
• Secondary characters: these are characters that complement the story and support—or complicate—the evolution of the protagonist;
• Static or flat: they do not change throughout the story. They represent fixed ideas or social types;
• Dynamic or round: they evolve, learn, transform emotionally or ideologically;
• Symbolic: they represent values, fears or abstract concepts (such as death, freedom or justice).

Key elements for character analysis

From here on , we will detail the fundamental aspects that any writer, editor or reader should take into account when approaching the analysis of a literary character.

Physical, mental and social description

It might seem superficial, but a character's physical description reveals a great deal about them. Elements such as a piece of clothing, the condition of their hair, their movements or gestures , and their posture can reveal things like someone's social status, mood, and even political ideologies. Likewise, their behavior and socioeconomic context hint at their role in the story. Therefore, it is relevant to analyze the following:

• Age, gender, clothing, health, defects or distinctive features;
• Social class, educational level, occupation, cultural environment.

An interesting example to explain this issue is the character of Emma in Flaubert's Madame Bovary , whose clothing reveals her aspiration to a bourgeois, romantic, and luxurious life, contrasting with her provincial reality.

Personality and psychology

Here, it's necessary to emphasize the importance of studying the character's personality , which includes their emotions, attitudes, strengths, and weaknesses. In these cases, it's worthwhile to ask yourself the following questions:

• What kind of decisions do you make?
• Are you acting out of fear, love, ambition, guilt, or another emotion?
• Does it have internal contradictions?

A wonderful example of the above is the main character of Hamlet , a man marked by doubt, whose inaction reflects a deep inner struggle. An equally brilliant, but much simpler, form is given through Simba in The Lion King , who, like Hamlet, is afraid to act because of the weight of his past.

Motivations and objectives

This is something some novice writers might struggle with, so it needs to be made clear: every well-written character must have explicit motivations, even if these aren't always consistent. Once established, motivations drive actions and determine the development of both the character and the plot. Therefore, the questions to ask are:

• What do you want?
• Why does he act like this?
• What do you want to avoid at all costs?

To illustrate this, we can talk about Alonso Quijano, who is motivated to live in a nobler world , which leads him to act as a knight-errant, even though this confronts him with ridicule and madness.

Evolution and transformation arc

An essential aspect of complex characters is their evolution throughout the story . When we reach this point, fiction itself allows us to analyze the following:

• Does the character change?
• What transforms it?
• Is it a positive, negative or tragic change?

For example, Gregor Samsa in The Metamorphosis undergoes a physical transformation , but he also experiences an evolution in his self-perception and relationship with his family. Even so, his individual end is tragic, because it forms part of the author's critique of utilitarianism.

Relationship with other characters

The interaction between characters allows for the removal of layers revealing hidden or contrasting dimensions within the work. Some key aspects are:

• What role does he play in relation to the protagonist?
• Are there relationships of power, dependence, affection or rivalry?
• Does it serve as a contrast or a mirror?

To illustrate, we have two iconic characters who need no introduction : Darcy and Elizabeth. Both protagonists are transformed by the conflict arising from their social and character differences, making Pride and Prejudice a book that is both well-rounded and expertly crafted.

Language and form of expression

Characters are not only built through their actions , but also through the way they speak and think. In this specific context, it is worthwhile to analyze these aspects.

• Use of language: is it cultured, vulgar, poetic or colloquial?
• Internal monologues, dialogues or indirect narration;
• The point of view from which it is presented.

For example: in The Catcher in the Rye , Holden Caulfield's informal, sarcastic, and juvenile language reflects his emotional disconnection from the adult world.

Symbolism and narrative function

Finally, many characters have a symbolic or allegorical role in the work. Therefore, our analysis must address these points:

• Does it represent an idea, such as freedom, justice or decadence?
• Is it a social criticism?
• Does it act as a catalyst or witness to the conflict?

For example, Colonel Aureliano Buendía in One Hundred Years of Solitude embodies the repetition of history , the cyclical power of war, and the loneliness of modern man. As we can see, he has a well-defined role, which allowed his author to delimit his actions.

Practical strategies for doing an analysis

Now then: get your book ready and take note of the following practical instructions for analyzing your chosen character.

• Take notes as you read: record the phrases, behaviors, and associated symbolism;
• Use diagrams or mind maps to visualize your relationships, arcs and conflicts;
• Compare him with other characters to establish parallels or contrasts between them;
• Contextualize your historical situation and try to understand how the time and place in which you live influence your construction;
• Cite important passages to justify the analysis with fragments taken from the text itself.