Indirect & Direct Characterization
Alex Ianni
Definition
indirect- the author reveals to the reader what the
character is like by describing how the character looks and dresses, by letting the
reader hear what the character says, by revealing the character’s private thoughts
and feelings, by revealing the characters effect on other people (showing how
other characters feel or behave toward the character), or by showing the character
in action. Common in modern literature
direct- the author tells us directly what the
character is like: sneaky, generous, mean to pets and so on. Romantic style
literature relied more heavily on this form
Direct and indirect characterization