how to write a thesis for character analysis

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Once again, a character analysis is like getting to know a new friend—except this friend lives in the pages of a book. When you do a character analysis, you’re trying to figure out who this character really is, beyond just the basic details. You’re asking questions like: What drives this character? How do they change over the course of the story? And why do they make the choices they do?

To get started, think about the character’s personality. Are they kind, brave, or maybe a little sneaky? You also want to look at their relationships with other characters—do they get along with others, or are they always causing trouble? Don’t forget to consider their background too. Where they come from can often explain why they act the way they do.

But there’s more to it than just describing the character. You need to connect the dots . How do their actions affect the plot? Do they grow or change as the story progresses? By answering these questions, you’re digging into the character’s role in the story, and that’s what makes a character analysis so interesting.

In the end, a good character analysis helps you see the character as a real person, with their own thoughts, feelings, and struggles. It’s not just about what they do in the story, but why they do it. 

Common Character Archetypes

When you’re reading a story, you might notice that certain types of characters keep popping up, even if the stories are totally different. These are called character archetypes, and they’re kind of like templates for building characters. Writers use them because they’re familiar and instantly recognizable, but each story puts its own spin on them. Understanding these archetypes can help you see patterns in stories and better understand the characters you read about.

Below, you’ll find a table with six common archetypes and a quick description of each. After that, we’ll dive into what makes each one unique.

The Hero is probably the most well-known archetype. This character starts off as an ordinary person but is thrown into extraordinary circumstances. They’re often faced with challenges, dangers, or quests that push them to grow, learn, and ultimately triumph. Think of characters like Harry Potter or Katniss Everdeen. What sets the Hero apart is their journey—both physical and emotional. They evolve from someone unsure of their abilities into someone who can save the day. Heroes often have to make tough decisions and sacrifices, showing courage and resilience along the way.

The Mentor is the wise guide who helps the Hero along their journey. They’re usually older and have a lot of experience or knowledge that the Hero needs. Mentors can be strict, kind, or mysterious, but they all share one thing in common: they help the Hero grow. Think of Yoda from Star Wars or Dumbledore from Harry Potter . Mentors often give the Hero important tools or advice that they’ll need to succeed. However, they might also challenge the Hero, forcing them to think or act in new ways. What makes the Mentor special is their role as a teacher—someone who prepares the Hero for what’s ahead.

The Everyman

The Everyman is a character who feels like an average person, someone you might know in real life. They aren’t rich, famous, or powerful, but they’re relatable and down-to-earth. The Everyman often represents the common person, showing how ordinary individuals can play significant roles in a story. This archetype doesn’t seek out adventure or danger, but they might get caught up in it anyway. Characters like Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit or Samwise Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings are good examples. The Everyman’s appeal lies in their normalcy; they show that you don’t have to be extraordinary to make a difference.

The Villain

The Villain is the character who stands in opposition to the Hero. They’re often portrayed as evil, but not always. Sometimes, Villains have understandable motives, but their actions put them at odds with the Hero. The Villain’s role is to create conflict, which drives the story forward. Classic Villains like Voldemort from Harry Potter or Darth Vader from Star Wars are easy to spot because of their malevolent intentions. However, a Villain can also be a more complex character, with layers that make them more than just the “bad guy.” What makes the Villain essential to a story is their ability to challenge the Hero, often bringing out the best (or worst) in them.

The Sidekick

The Sidekick is the Hero’s loyal companion, always ready to help out, even in the toughest situations. This archetype is usually supportive, offering encouragement, comic relief, or a helping hand when the Hero needs it most. Sidekicks like Ron Weasley from Harry Potter or Robin from Batman are there to back up the Hero, providing balance and sometimes even saving the day themselves. The Sidekick might not get the spotlight as much as the Hero, but their contribution is just as important. They’re often the unsung heroes, showing that teamwork and friendship are key to overcoming challenges.

The Trickster

The Trickster is a character who uses their wit, humor, and sometimes deception to achieve their goals. They’re clever, unpredictable, and often play by their own rules. Tricksters like Loki from Norse mythology or the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland keep the story interesting by adding an element of surprise. What sets the Trickster apart is their ability to shake things up. They might help the Hero, or they might create more problems, but they always keep you guessing. The Trickster’s role in a story is to challenge the status quo, often leading to unexpected twists and turns.

Each of these archetypes brings something unique to a story. By recognizing them, you can better understand how characters are built and how they drive the plot forward. So next time you’re reading a book or watching a movie, see if you can spot these archetypes in action.

How to Analyze a Character

Analyzing a character in a story is like putting together a puzzle. You’re looking at different pieces — like what they say, how they act, and how they interact with others — to understand who they really are. Whether you’re writing an essay or just trying to get more out of your reading, knowing how to analyze a character is a valuable skill. Let’s see how to write a character analysis, so you’ll know exactly what to look for.

1. Understand the Character’s Role in the Story

The first thing to consider is the character’s role. Are they the main character (protagonist), the one who opposes the main character (antagonist), or maybe a supporting character who helps move the story along? Understanding the role gives you a framework for your analysis.

For example, a protagonist usually faces challenges and changes over the course of the story. They’re often central to the plot, so analyzing them means looking at how they grow and what drives them. On the other hand, an antagonist creates conflict, so your analysis might focus on their motivations and how they impact the protagonist.

2. Examine the Character’s Traits

Next, dive into the character’s personality traits. Are they brave, selfish, kind, or maybe a bit sneaky? Look for adjectives that describe them and think about how these traits influence their actions and decisions. You can often find clues in how they talk, what they think, and how they respond to different situations.

For instance, a character who is cautious might hesitate before making decisions, while a reckless character might jump into action without thinking. These traits help define who the character is and make them feel real to the reader.

3. Analyze the Character’s Development

Character development refers to how a character changes throughout the story. Some characters start off one way and end up very different by the end. Others might stay the same, which can be just as telling.

To analyze this, think about where the character starts and where they end up. Did they learn something important? Did they overcome a flaw? Or did they fail to change, leading to a tragic outcome? Understanding a character’s development can reveal the message or theme the author is trying to convey.

4. Consider the Character’s Relationships

Relationships are a big part of what makes a character interesting. Look at how the character interacts with others—friends, family, enemies, and even strangers. These relationships can show different sides of the character and help you understand their personality better.

For example, a character might be kind and gentle with their friends but cold and harsh with their enemies. These contrasts can give you a deeper understanding of the character’s complexity. Also, pay attention to how these relationships influence the character’s decisions and actions.

5. Explore the Character’s Motivations

Motivations are the reasons behind a character’s actions. Why do they do what they do? What drives them? A character’s motivations can be anything from a desire for power to a need for love or a quest for revenge.

Understanding these motivations is key to understanding the character’s behavior. For example, a character who is motivated by fear might avoid taking risks, while one driven by ambition might stop at nothing to achieve their goals. By figuring out what makes the character tick, you can gain insight into their actions and decisions.

6. Look at the Character’s Backstory

A character’s past often shapes who they are in the present. Their backstory—where they come from, what they’ve experienced, and how they were raised—can provide important context for their behavior and decisions.

For example, a character who grew up in poverty might be very careful with money, while someone who experienced a great loss might be afraid of forming new relationships. When you know a character’s backstory, their actions make more sense, and you can understand why they react the way they do.

7. Pay Attention to the Character’s Dialogue

Dialogue is what the character says, and it can reveal a lot about their personality, education, and social status. How a character speaks—whether they use formal language, slang, or even silence—can tell you who they are and what they’re feeling.

For instance, a character who uses big, fancy words might be trying to impress others or show off their intelligence. On the other hand, a character who speaks plainly might be more down-to-earth or straightforward. Dialogue can also reveal a character’s hidden thoughts and feelings, giving you clues to their true nature.

8. Notice the Character’s Actions

Actions often speak louder than words. How a character behaves, especially in difficult situations, can reveal their true character. Are they brave when faced with danger, or do they run away? Do they help others in need, or do they only look out for themselves?

When analyzing a character’s actions, look for patterns. Do they always act the same way, or do they change depending on the situation? For example, a character might be selfish at the beginning of the story but learn to care for others by the end. Actions can show growth or highlight a character’s flaws.

9. Think About the Character’s Symbolism

Sometimes, a character represents something bigger than themselves, like a concept, idea, or theme. This is called symbolism. For example, a character might symbolize innocence, justice, or corruption, depending on how they’re portrayed in the story.

To analyze this, think about what the character’s traits, actions, and role in the story might represent. If a character is always honest, they might symbolize truth. If they’re constantly struggling against unfair odds, they might represent perseverance. Recognizing symbolism can add another layer of meaning to your analysis.

10. Evaluate the Character’s Impact on the Plot

Finally, consider how the character affects the story as a whole. What would the story be like without them? How do their choices drive the plot forward? Sometimes, a character’s actions set off a chain of events that shape the entire narrative.

For example, if the protagonist decides to go on a dangerous journey, that choice might lead to all the major events in the story. Or, if a villain causes chaos, their actions might create the conflict that the protagonist has to resolve. Understanding a character’s impact on the plot helps you see how they’re connected to the bigger picture.

Remember, there’s no one “right” way to analyze a character—each character is unique, and your interpretation might be different from someone else’s. But by paying attention to the details and thinking about the character from different angles, you can develop a rich, insightful analysis that adds depth to your reading and writing.

Character Analysis Example – Nanny McPhee

Nanny McPhee is a character who stands out not only because of her unusual appearance but also because of the way she transforms the lives of the Brown family in the first movie. She is a magical nanny who arrives when she is most needed, bringing with her a set of lessons that fundamentally change the behavior and outlook of the children under her care. Let’s analyze her character by looking at her role in the story, her traits, and how she impacts the plot.

Role in the Story

Nanny McPhee serves as both a mentor and a catalyst in the story. She is brought in to manage the unruly Brown children, who have driven away all previous nannies with their misbehavior. Her role is to bring order to the household, but she does much more than that. Through her presence and the lessons she imparts, she helps the children—and their father, Mr. Brown—grow and become better versions of themselves. Her role is essential in moving the plot forward, as each of her lessons marks a significant turning point in the family’s journey.

Nanny McPhee is characterized by her calm demeanor and unwavering authority. She is not easily rattled by the children’s antics, which sets her apart from the other nannies. Her appearance—marked by warts, a large nose, and a stern expression—seems intimidating at first, but it gradually changes as the children learn their lessons. This transformation in her appearance symbolizes the positive changes occurring within the Brown family. Her magical abilities, used sparingly but effectively, demonstrate that she is not just a figure of discipline, but one of wisdom and care.

Development

While Nanny McPhee herself does not undergo a significant personal transformation, her impact on the Brown family is profound. The children, who start off as wild and disrespectful, learn to be kind, responsible, and considerate by the end of the movie. Mr. Brown, who is initially overwhelmed and distant, reconnects with his children and takes control of his life. Nanny McPhee’s development is reflected in how the family’s growth is mirrored by her physical transformation—from a rather frightening figure to a more gentle and appealing one. This change shows that her work is complete as the family no longer needs her strict guidance.

Relationships

Nanny McPhee’s relationships with the children and Mr. Brown are key to her role. She starts with a distant, almost authoritative relationship, not indulging the children’s whims but rather challenging them to improve. Over time, as they learn and grow, the relationship softens, showing mutual respect and understanding. Her relationship with Mr. Brown also evolves from one of professional necessity to one of trust, as he begins to rely on her guidance not just for his children, but for his own personal growth as well.

Motivations

Nanny McPhee’s motivations are clear: she wants to help the Brown family become whole again. Her purpose is not just to discipline the children but to bring them and their father closer together, helping them overcome their individual and collective challenges. Her motivations are driven by a deep sense of duty and care, showing that her strictness is rooted in a desire to genuinely improve the lives of those she helps.

Her actions are calculated and deliberate, each one serving a specific purpose in teaching the children important life lessons. Whether it’s magically making the children go to bed or turning the kitchen into a chaotic mess to teach them about the consequences of their actions, Nanny McPhee’s methods are always focused on the greater good.

Impact on the Plot

Without Nanny McPhee, the Brown family would likely have continued on their downward spiral. Her presence not only brings order but also facilitates the emotional and moral growth of the characters. Each lesson she teaches pushes the plot forward, leading to a resolution where the family is united, happy, and ready to face the future together.

What are the parts of a character analysis essay?

A character analysis essay typically includes an introduction with a thesis statement, a body that explores the character’s traits, motivations, and development, and a conclusion that summarizes the analysis and reflects on the character’s significance.

How do you start a character analysis essay?

Start a character analysis essay by introducing the character, providing some background, and presenting a clear thesis statement that outlines the main points you’ll be discussing about the character’s role and development in the story.

How do you talk about your character in an essay?

When talking about your character, describe their personality traits, motivations, and relationships. Use specific examples from the text to support your analysis, and explain how these aspects contribute to the character’s development and the story’s overall themes.

How to create character analysis?

To create a character analysis, begin by thoroughly reading the text, then examine the character’s traits, motivations, relationships, and development. Organize your findings into a structured outline, focusing on how the character influences the plot and themes of the story.

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How to Write a Character Analysis Essay: Examples & Outline

A character analysis is an examination of the personalities and actions of protagonists and antagonists that make up a story. It discusses their role in the story, evaluates their traits, and looks at their conflicts and experiences. You might need to write this assignment in school or college. Like any other essay, your character analysis should contain an introduction, a conclusion, and a thesis.

Want to know how to write a character analysis essay? Not sure how to start? We understand. Whichever piece you choose – Lady Macbeth, A Rose for Emily, or something else, – analyzing a character for the first time might be challenging. No worries, we are here to help! In this guide by our custom writing experts, you will find a step-by-step guide, outlining and writing tips, as well as a number of character analysis examples.

• 📔 Character Analysis Definition
• 🧙 Types of Characters
• 📝 Writing Guide
• 🖥️ Formatting Tips

📑 Character Analysis Essay Examples

📔 what is a character analysis essay.

A character analysis essay is an assignment where you evaluate a character’s traits, behaviors, and motivations. It requires critical thinking and attention to detail. Unlike descriptions, analyses focus on a character’s personality and internal drives. It explains how those factors shape the narrated events.

So, what you need to do is to see the characters as if they were real people who feel and act just as we do. Ensure there are no baseless assumptions and interpretations: the ideas you present should be supported by quotes from the text.

Character: Definition (Literature)

How do you define a character? It is a person, a creature, or an animal that makes up the story’s world. A character can be based on a real-life person, or it can be entirely fictional. It is someone who thinks, feels, and acts.

We use the word “character” in many different contexts. For instance, it can denote someone eccentric or worthy of our admiration. In both contexts, the term “character” means a distinctive personality. Similarly, in an analysis, your task is to show what makes a character stand out.

Characterization: Literary Definition & Examples

Characterization is the process by which a character’s personality is revealed. It presents characters’ traits, feelings, and motives to the reader. For this reason, characterization is closely connected to character analysis. It helps us to understand the characters better throughout the reading process.

Characterization can be direct and indirect .

• Direct characterization is when the narrator directly tells the audience what the personality of a character is.
• In contrast, indirect characterization shows things that hint at a character’s nature.

Here are some examples of direct characterization taken from Patti Smith’s Just Kids :

“But he always suppressed his real feelings, mimicking the stoic nature of his father.”

Here we see a direct description of a character. The author straightforwardly talks about Robert’s feelings. In comparison, look at the description of a woman taken from John Steinbeck’s The Snake :

“He looked around at her again. Her dark eyes seemed veiled with dust. She looked without expression at the cat’s open throat.”

These lines don’t directly reveal anything about the woman, but the reader can understand that she is cold and dangerous. It’s an indirect characterization that focuses on looks and actions to convey the message to the reader.

🧙 Types of Characters for Your Essay

When it comes to characters, they can be divided into several groups. For example, characters can be:

• Protagonists or antagonists,
• Static or dynamic,
• Flat or round.

These types define how much the characters change through the course of the story and their role in it.

Character Type: Definition

In psychology, a character type is defined by a combination of personality traits that coexist in an individual. Authors incorporate different types of characters into their works to convey the message and make the story more exciting or relatable to the reader.

There are three ways to categorize a character type:

• by archetypes,
• by their role in the narrative,
• by their ability to change throughout the story.

If you are about to write a character analysis essay, being familiar with character archetypes is essential. They have been categorized by a generation of writers, including the Swiss psychologist Carl Jung and the American literary theorist Joseph Campbell. A lot of characters we see in today’s literary works are rooted in them.

Archetypes include the Trickster, the Ruler, the Lover, the Sage, and others. The Hero is one of the most notable archetypes. Hercules or Achilles can be good examples of heroic protagonists. They are strong and courageous; they meet challenges and save the day by helping others.

Main Character: Definition & Examples

The main character and the protagonist often get mixed up. Most narratives also have the figure of the antagonist , whose actions affect the plot and stimulate change. Let’s have a look at the similarities and differences between these types.

The main character is central in the narrative. We experience the story through their eyes. They don’t necessarily have to be protagonists, though it happens in many cases.

The crucial difference between the main character and the protagonist is that the protagonist goes through changes throughout the story. The main character, however, is there to guide the reader through the experience. Often they help to show a different, darker side of the protagonist.

To understand the difference better, let’s turn to some examples.

What’s a Static Character?

Now that we’ve learned about the main character and the protagonist, we will closely look at other types of character classifications. One of the ways to categorize a character is by their ability to change throughout the story.

A static or simple character is someone who undergoes little or no significant changes. They often exist for comedic purposes. Here are some examples:

Complex Character: Definition & Examples

Complex or dynamic characters are the opposite of static characters. Characters of this type change as the book progresses. They display different qualities, emotions, and motives. They become more complicated and interesting to the reader as the story unfolds.

Check out these examples of dynamic characters:

Other Kinds of Characters

You already know about several ways to define a type of character. Now, let’s go over some other types, starting with flat and round characters.

Similar to dynamic and static ones, round and flat characters represent two different ends of a spectrum. Round characters usually come with an in-depth background. They are traditionally protagonists, antagonists, or those close to them. In contrast, flat characters are two-dimensional, and there is not much depth to them.

For the examples, we will turn to the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

Finally, here are some bonus character types for you:

• Stock characters have a fixed set of traits and are flat. Most of the time, they exist for comical relief.
• Symbolic characters represent a concept or a theme that goes beyond them. They can be round and flat as long as they symbolize a particular notion or phenomena.
• Sidekick is a secondary character who supports the protagonist.
• The love interest is someone with whom the main character is infatuated.
• Foil is someone who’s set in contrast with the protagonist, thus putting more emphasis on the latter’s qualities.

Characterization Essay: Which Character Type to Choose

Before you start writing a paper, it essential to decide on the character you’re going to analyze. There are different types of characters in every story, so you need to choose which one suits your essay topic the best.

Usually, it’s best to choose a dynamic and round character . With static and flat ones, there may not be enough substance for you to analyze. However, some such personalities can be interesting to work with. For instance, a flat character such as Mr. Collins can be symbolic of something. Then, you can talk about how it embodies a specific idea or notion. You can also look at how they affect other characters in the story.

📝 How to Write a Character Analysis Step by Step

Now, we’re going to discuss how to write your paper step-by-step. But first, here are some pre-writing steps for you to consider:

• Choose a character for analysis.
• Take notes while reading;
• Define the type of the character and their role in the story;
• Pay attention to their descriptions and actions.

How to Analyze a Character: Description Examples

Knowing how to organize your work is an essential skill. Certain things need special attention if you are describing a character:

• physical appearance,
• emotional state,
• how the character speaks,
• behavior and personality traits,
• relationships with other characters.

When you analyze a character, try to look at them as if they were a real-life person. You want to know their motive, learn about how they feel, and understand why they think in a certain way. Ask yourself:

• How did the character change throughout the story (if at all)?
• What do other characters say about them? Can their words be trusted?
• Where is the character physically and emotionally? What brought them here?
• What is the character ready to do to achieve their goal?

Now, let’s look at the character of Franklin from the short story Just Before the War with the Eskimos by J.D. Salinger:

Character Profile Template for Writing

When writing your essay, use this character analysis template:

In the following sections, we’ll discuss each step in detail.

Character Analysis Outline: How to Start a Character Analysis

The beginning of your essay is its crucial part. It sets the mood and grabs the reader’s attention. There are many different ways to write a character analysis introduction, but here are the most effective ones:

• Use a quotation. It’s a great way to make a catchy hook. If it relates to the character and reflects their nature, it can also help to set the tone for analysis. In case you are using a quotation from somewhere else, mention the source in parentheses.
• Talk about the book or story. Mention the author, the name of the story, and the genre. Briefly describe the main events that are taking place in the story.
• Introduce the character. State their role in the story (define whether they are a protagonist, an antagonist, etc.) Then, explain whether the character is static or dynamic. Finally, describe them in 2-3 sentences.

The final part of an introduction is a thesis statement.Read on to learn how to write one!

Character Analysis Thesis Statement & Examples

A thesis is the key component of every essay, and character analysis is not an exception. It’s crucial to develop a good and clear thesis statement that includes all the aspects of your paper. For instance, if you plan to write a 4-paragraph body, including 4 points in your thesis.

What should a character analysis thesis include? Well, try to think of any trait that the character possesses that has to do with their downfall or somehow influences the story. Think about how this trait affects the character’s relationship with others or how it contributes to their motive or aspiration.

Take a look at the following examples:

How to Write Character Analysis Paragraphs for the Main Body

The main body of your essay can include as many paragraphs as you need. In this part, you introduce the character and analyze them. We have already talked in this article about what kind of questions should be answered in these paragraphs. The most important points are:

• Describe the character and their role within the story.
• Give the audience an explanation of the character’s motives.
• Show what message the author wanted to convey through this character.

Keep in mind that every paragraph should have a topic sentence that captures its main idea.

Tsukuru Tazaki’s spiritual rebirth also affects his physical appearance.

Character Analysis Conclusion: How to Write

The conclusion part of your essay summarizes all the information you have mentioned and restates the thesis. Here is some advice for your conclusion paragraph:

🖥️ Character Analysis Essay Format

Most college assignments and essays are written according to the APA or MLA format. Both styles have the same formatting, which requires:

• a double-spaced paper with 1-inch margins,
• a page header with page numbers flush right,
• an 11-12-point font.

While writing an essay on characters, pay special attention to quotations. Here are some tips for APA in-text citations:

• When you summarize or paraphrase the information, mention the author’s name and publication date in brackets. Example: According to Collins (1997.)
• When you quote directly from the source, add the number of the page, as well. Example: “There is a view that…” (Collins, 1997, pp. 134-135.)
• If the source includes three or more authors, use the abbreviation “et al.” after the first author’s name. Example: (Collins et al., 1997)

As for MLA format:

• You can write the author’s name in the sentence. Example: As Collins mentions in his essay<…>.
• You can mention the author’s name in the parentheses at the end of the sentence. Example: (Collins, J.K.)
• The last option is to use either footnotes or endnotes.

Below you’ll find a collection of character analysis essay examples and a downloadable sample to inspire you even more.

• The Grandmother in A Good Man Is Hard to Find: Character Analysis
• Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman: Character Analysis
• Jay Gatsby and Nick Carraway: Character Analysis
• Prospero in The Tempest: Character Analysis
• Agamemnon in the Iliad: Character Analysis
• Lord Pococurante in Candide: Character Analysis
• Andromache in the Iliad: Character Analysis
• Character Analysis of the Knight from The Canterbury Tales
• Essay on Soldier’s Home: Analysis of the Characters

Character Analysis Example (Downloadable)

Roald Dahl’s  Matilda  is one of the most famous children’s novels of the 20th century. The protagonist of this tale is Matilda Wormwood, a five and a half-year-old girl with a brilliant and lively mind that distances her from the rest of the family. Matilda’s character is particularly interesting as she has a powerful personality with extraordinary mental abilities, and she manages to overcome all the obstacles that surround her.

Character Analysis Essay Topics

• Character analysis of Abbas from A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge .
• Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
• Beowulf and Hamlet: similarity and diversity of the characters.
• Personal and social failures of Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller.
• Character analysis of Othello.
• Analyze the characters of Stanley and Blanche from A Streetcar Named Desire .
• The tragedy of Mathilde Loisel from The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant.
• Character analysis of Huck Finn from Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn .
• Moral force of Kate Lipton from Double Helix by Nancy Parker.
• Character analysis of Thorvald and Nora in Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House .
• Discuss the character of king Creon in Antigone .
• Analyze the personality of Lydia from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice .
• Compare Nick Carraway and Tom Buchanan from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
• Describe the peculiarities of Lord Pococurante in Candide .  
• Sarty Snopes in William Faulkner’s Barn Burning : character analysis.
• Analyze the character of Biff Loman in Death of a Salesman.
• Personality of Nora in A Doll House by Henrik Ibsen.
• Examine the main characters of The Yellow Paper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman.
• Personality change of the main character in Edgar Alan Poe’s The Black Cat .
• Analyze the characters of E. Hemingway’s A Clean, Well-Lighted Place .
• Describe the main characters of the novel The Overstory by Richard Powers.
• Controversial personality of Vladek in Maus: A Survivor’s Tale by Art Spiegelman.
• Character analysis of Victor Frankenstein in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.
• Discuss the character of Creon in Oedipus the King .
• The manipulative character of Iago in Willian Shakespeare’s Othello .
• Analyze the characters of Nil and Kristine in A Doll’s House .
• Eccentricity of Grendel’s character in Beowulf .
• Describe the main characters of Four Summers by Joyce Carol Oates.
• Examine the characters of Harold Krebs and his mother in Ernest Hemingway’s Soldier’s Home .
• Analyze common and different traits of the characters in The Monkey’s Paw .
• Character peculiarities of Rostam and Sohrab in Shahnameh by Ferdowsi Tousi.
• How does the character of Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen differ from the rest of her family?
• The behavior and meaning of the characters in Nicholas Rowe’s The Tragedy of Jane Shore.
• Compare the characters of Victor Frankenstein and the monster in Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley.
• Discuss the differences of main characters in Everyday Use by Alice Walker.
• Examine the character of Connie in Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been by Joyce Carol Oates.
• The influence of social pressure on the characters of Chopin’s Desirée’s Baby and Sedaris’ A Modest Proposal .
• Dynamic feminist characters of Delia and Jig in Sweat by Z. Hurston and Hills Like White Elephants by E. Hemingway.
• Analyze the personality traits of Emily in William Faulkner’s A Rose for Emily .
• Examine the characters of The Quiet American by Graham Greene.
• Henry ΙV by William Shakespeare : analysis of main characters.

Now you know everything necessary for writing an excellent character analysis. What character would you like to analyze? Let us know in the comments!

Further reading:

• How to Write a Literary Analysis Essay Step by Step
• Literature Review Outline: Examples, Approaches, & Templates
• Library Research Paper: Example & Writing Guide [2024]
• How to Write a Critique Paper: Tips + Critique Essay Examples
• 435 Literary Analysis Essay Topics and Prompts [2024 Upd]
• How to Write a Literature Review: Actionable Tips & Links
• Critical Concepts: Character and Characterization: Kansas State University
• Analyzing Novels & Short Stories: Texas A&M University
• Guidelines for Writing a Character Analysis Essay: Tidewater Communite College
• Literary Criticism: Thesis Examples: The University of Texas at Arlington
• Writing a Literary Analysis Paper: Germanna Community College
• Flat and Round Characters: Encyclopedia Britannica
• Literature: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• How to Write a Book Analysis: Kean University
• Elements of Literary Analysis: Alamo Colleges District
• Defining Characterization: Read Write Think
• APA Style: General Format: Purdue University
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How to Write a Character Analysis Essay: Step-by-Step Guide

Table of contents

• 1 What Is a Character Analysis Essay?
• 2.1 Protagonist
• 2.2 Antagonist
• 2.5 Dynamic
• 3.1 Introduction
• 3.3 Summary
• 4.1 Read up on the story
• 4.2 Decide on what character to choose
• 4.3 Outline your essay
• 4.4 Define the main idea
• 4.5 Make notes while reading
• 4.6 Compose a list of questions
• 5 Character Analysis Essay Example

Writing can be as interesting as communicating. You can provide your thoughts and in-depth analysis of a character you like. That’s why you can come across various writing assignments in high school or college, including an  analysis essay . Preparing such a work enables you to reveal your creativity and develop your ability to analyze and systemize information.

Like any other  essay types , a character analysis paper sticks to a particular structure and has a certain purpose. It also discloses a range of specific points you should take into account when putting words on paper. So, if you need help starting to write, you landed in the right place. Here, we uncover all you need to know on how to write a good character analysis article.

What Is a Character Analysis Essay?

A character analysis essay is worthy of putting effort into writing. This assignment involves a versatile description of a central character from a book, novel, or whatever storytelling. In such an essay, you must open the main personality traits you choose to write about.

Writing about a character, you should describe their inner world as well as their behavior, actions, and lifestyle. This is detailed work about a person you should study well. To be able to explain their particular behavioral line in the context of a story, you must turn on your imagination and thorough examination.

With this in mind, it is easy to understand the purpose of a character analysis essay. It involves evaluating a character’s pack of traits reflected in the context of the primary source. You might choose whether to disclose the positive or negative side of a character. This depends on the topics and the approach used for composing an analysis paper.

Also, it is possible to call this type of writing a process analysis essay because you are to disclose the character’s emotions along with how actions occur and change during the plot.

Common Types of Characters in Your Essay

When encountering characters’ analysis and defining an objective of your essay, you must know what types of characters exist. This might help you direct your analysis into the correct flow.

Protagonist

The protagonist is the story’s central figure on which the main focus is fixed. Not only one character can be a hero. You can find several of them through the narrative, expressing their experience and engaging scenes.

This character represents an opposite role to a protagonist in the context, bringing some worse experiences to the story. They always create an obstacle for a protagonist to reach a goal.

A major person in a story plays an important role, yet not the central one. These can be characters who are close in relationship with the main hero and accompany them throughout the book.

Minor characters, accordingly, play a minor role in the story. They can show up occasionally in a plot for a while and then disappear.

A dynamic character shows growth and brings some modifications throughout the story. Typically, a protagonist is dynamic, accepting challenges and learning to become better and stronger.

An opposite message to dynamic persons brings a static character. They don’t reflect any story changes and remain with the same traits and behaviors. Minor persons are usually static.

This type of character is specific as they draw a reader’s attention to crucial persons in a story. Their mission is to strengthen a protagonist’s role.

Understanding the role of your character is crucial. You will know how to explain particular actions and scene changes. If you still find it challenging to start writing a character analysis essay, contact our PapersOwl writing service and let professional writers bring you an excellent piece of copy.

Character Analysis Essay Format

In addition to the context you must provide, an essay should look elegant and meaningfully ordered. For this purpose, you should adhere to a particular character analysis paper format. Here is a sample of what compositional elements your work should include.

Introduction

As you deal with a literary composition in different volumes, you should provide a background of what a story is about. Also, you need to mention the author and the title of a book or novel you will describe characters from.

Furthermore, if you put on a character analysis thesis statement, it will be a brilliant idea to make your introductory part more enticing. So think about how to compose a meaningful statement in one or two phrases.

This main component in an essay’s format is the biggest one. You must write all you want to reveal about your characters at this stage. But keep in mind to order your train of thought and present it in a comprehensive way.

An overall description of your personality, specific traits, and influencing factors should be carefully covered in your body section. To confirm some unique characteristics or actions, you must cite a dialogue inside essays as an original reference. Information can be voluminous, so make sure you separate it into several meaningful paragraphs.

Concluding your main points about your protagonist is the final stage of your writing. Highlight the experience your character has gone through in the story.

Whatever question you have about character analysis writing, you can always address our helpful platform. We will help you do your essays in the best way to improve your academic performance.

How to Write a Character Analysis Essay?

There needs to be more than just knowing how to arrange your essay. So, we’ve outlined some helpful steps you should take before getting started.

Read up on the story

If you want to demonstrate good knowledge of the characters and all episodes they were in, you should read the entire story more than once. Thus, you will be able to note some crucial details and cite them. Rereading a story will enhance your knowledge about each scene.

Decide on what character to choose

Your choice might depend on your preferences and the type of narrative you read. Think of whose personality you can easily reveal and build rich judgment around them. It’s up to you to write about a protagonist, major or static characters.

Outline your essay

This is one of the most important strategies in writing. You should create an outline of what you are going to uncover in your article. It is a good idea to draft a structure for your composition and note down the insights in each structural element. This will help you follow the presentation of the material and, at the same time, remind you of the next step.

Define the main idea

Once you select a character you want to analyze in your character analysis essay, you decide what part of a personality you will focus on.

Make notes while reading

To create a comprehensive picture of a character, you should know as much as possible about their traits and behavior. Your outline helps you follow the structure while referring to quotes and dialogues, allowing you to confirm specific situations that best show personalities.

Compose a list of questions

To make your character analysis less challenging, we recommend you make a list of lead-in questions. You can even create those questions for each structural part of your composition. This enables you to be precise in providing relevant information about a character.

In addition to general steps on how to write a character analysis essay, we’ve prepared a range of insightful tips. By following them, we believe you will bring up solid work. Here they are:

• Provide a catchy hook in the introductory part;
• Keep short and simple sentences;
• Split into paragraphs each idea you want to mention about a character;
• Use examples right from the primary source;
• Be concise and clear when estimating your characters.

One of the literary analysis papers is writing a poetry essay and describing a character analysis in poetry. Writing such an essay can be more challenging as students need help understanding this style. No worries. There is always a way out, and you can buy essays online from the best writers as an option.

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Character Analysis Essay Example

Lady Macbeth is one of the most influential female characters in literature. She conveyed an entirely different figure of how a woman doesn’t need to look. Shakespeare created a sick-ambitious character burning to be queen.

Lady Macbeth was pretty rude to her husband. She judged him for not being as brave as she expected from him. We know about his bloody deeds on the battlefields, though. But in public, she acted like a real actress, conveying her best traits to respect her king.

In the scene when she loses consciousness after Duncan’s murder, the audience wonders whether she was playing another role at that very moment. Eventually, she fails each test coming into her life. After the follow-up blaming her husband during the banquet (Act III, Scene 4), the worst turns back into her life. She becomes nervous and unable to control her emotions. We can notice her strange behavior when murmuring in Act V, Scene 1, as she “confesses” her participation in the murder.

Her death became an event that made Macbeth contemplate deeper on the time of nature and mortality in the speech “Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow” (Act V, Scene 5).

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