Character Arc: Meanings and Concept
Character Arc: The term refers to the emotional or psychological development of a character throughout a narrative. It involves the changes, growth, or transformation a character undergoes over the course of a story. Character arcs are crucial for creating engaging and relatable characters in literature, film, or other storytelling mediums.
| Concept | Description |
| Transformation | – The core change or evolution a character experiences. |
| Development | – The overall progression and growth of a character. |
| Conflict | – Challenges and obstacles that drive the character’s arc. |
| Resolution | – The point at which the character’s arc reaches a conclusion. |
| Internal Struggle | – Inner conflicts that contribute to the character’s journey. |
| External Influence | – Outside events or characters affecting the character’s arc. |
| Catharsis | – Emotional release or purification achieved through the arc. |
| Motivation | – Driving forces or goals guiding the character’s development. |
| Consistency | – Maintaining believability and coherence in the character’s changes. |
| Impact on Plot | – How the character’s arc influences or drives the overall story. |
Character Arc: Definition as a Theoretical Term
A character arc, as a theoretical term in narrative studies, encapsulates the systematic evolution of a character’s internal and external dimensions throughout a story. It represents a structured trajectory of emotional, psychological, or moral development, often reflecting the character’s responses to challenges, conflicts, and experiences.
In the academic context, analyzing character arcs provides insight into the intricate interplay between storytelling, character psychology, and thematic elements within a narrative framework.
Character Arc: Theorists, Works and Arguments
- Joseph Campbell:
- Work: The Hero with a Thousand Faces (1949).
- Argument: Campbell’s monomyth, also known as the hero’s journey, outlines a universal template for the hero’s quest, emphasizing a cyclical pattern of departure, initiation, and return. This concept has influenced discussions on character arcs by providing a mythic framework for character transformation.
- Vladimir Propp:
- Work: Morphology of the Folktale (1928).
- Argument: Propp identified recurring character functions in Russian folktales, contributing to the understanding of character roles and transformations. His work laid the foundation for analyzing characters in terms of their narrative functions and roles within a story.
- Christopher Vogler:
- Work: The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers (1992).
- Argument: Vogler adapted Joseph Campbell’s monomyth into a practical guide for screenwriters, providing a detailed analysis of character archetypes and their arcs. He emphasized the importance of character transformation as an integral part of the storytelling process.
- Linda Seger:
- Work: Creating Unforgettable Characters (1990).
- Argument: Seger focuses on character development within the context of screenwriting, emphasizing the need for characters to undergo transformation and face challenges. She explores the psychological depth of characters and their arcs as essential components of compelling storytelling.
These theorists and their works have significantly shaped the discourse on character arcs, providing frameworks and insights for understanding the complexities of character development within narratives.
Character Arc: Key Characteristics
| Character Arc Characteristic | Description | Examples |
| Transformation | The fundamental change or development of a character over time. | – Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings: From a naive hobbit to a resilient hero. |
| Conflict | Challenges or obstacles that drive the character’s development. | – Harry Potter in Harry Potter series: Facing various adversaries and personal struggles. |
| Resolution | The point at which the character’s arc reaches a conclusion. | – Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol: From a miser to a compassionate individual. |
| Internal Struggle | Inner conflicts contributing to the character’s journey. | – Hamlet in Hamlet: Struggling with revenge and existential questions. |
| External Influence | Outside events or characters affecting the character’s arc. | – Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games: Shaped by the oppressive Capitol and rebellion. |
| Catharsis | Emotional release or purification achieved through the arc. | – Jean Valjean in Les Misérables: Redemption and self-forgiveness. |
| Motivation | Driving forces or goals guiding the character’s development. | – Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice: Seeking love and personal integrity. |
| Consistency | Maintaining believability and coherence in the character’s changes. | – Walter White in Breaking Bad: Transformation from a mild-mannered teacher to a ruthless drug lord. |
| Impact on Plot | How the character’s arc influences or drives the overall story. | – Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games: Inspiring a rebellion against the Capitol. |
| Full Circle | The character returns to a significant starting point, showing growth. | – Simba in The Lion King: From a cub running from responsibility to a wise king. |
Character Arc: Relevance in Literary Theories
- Structuralism:
- Relevance: Character arcs contribute to the structural analysis of narratives by revealing patterns and relationships within the text. They showcase how characters evolve and contribute to the overall structure of the story.
- Reader-Response Theory:
- Relevance: Character arcs engage readers in the interpretation and response to a text. Readers actively construct meaning through the observation of character development, influencing their emotional and intellectual responses to the narrative.
- Feminist Literary Theory:
- Relevance: Character arcs are essential in feminist literary analysis as they highlight the evolution of female characters, reflecting changing societal norms and challenging traditional gender roles. Examining how female characters navigate and resist patriarchal structures provides insights into feminist perspectives.
- Postcolonial Theory:
- Relevance: Character arcs can be analyzed in the context of postcolonial literature to explore the impact of colonial history on individual and collective identities. Characters may undergo arcs that reflect resistance, assimilation, or negotiation with colonial forces.
- Psychoanalytic Criticism:
- Relevance: Character arcs provide rich material for psychoanalytic interpretation, allowing critics to analyze characters’ psychological development, conflicts, and resolutions. Sigmund Freud’s concepts, such as the id, ego, and superego, can be applied to characters’ internal struggles.
- Marxist Literary Theory:
- Relevance: Character arcs in Marxist analysis can reveal class dynamics, power struggles, and societal changes. Characters may embody or challenge the prevailing economic and social structures, offering insights into the author’s stance on class issues.
- Deconstruction:
- Relevance: Deconstructionist analysis may focus on the instability and ambiguity of character arcs. Examining how characters resist fixed meanings or challenge binary oppositions contributes to deconstructing traditional narrative structures.
In summary, character arcs are versatile elements that can be analyzed through various literary theories, providing insights into different aspects of storytelling, identity, power dynamics, and social structures. Their relevance extends across diverse theoretical frameworks, enriching the interpretation and appreciation of literary works.
Character Arc: Application Critiques
| Novel | Application Critique |
| The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini | – Strength: Amir’s redemption arc is compelling and well-executed, driving the emotional core of the novel. |
| – Critique: Secondary characters, particularly some of Hassan’s family members, could benefit from more nuanced arcs to enhance the overall narrative depth. | |
| The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood | – Strength: Offred’s character arc effectively reflects the oppressive nature of the dystopian society. |
| – Critique: The arcs of some supporting characters, like the Marthas or other Handmaids, are underexplored, potentially missing opportunities for richer storytelling. | |
| The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger | – Strength: Holden Caulfield’s rebellious and introspective arc captures the angst of adolescence convincingly. |
| – Critique: Some readers find Holden’s repetitive internal monologue a bit tiresome, potentially hindering the overall engagement with his character arc. | |
| Beloved by Toni Morrison | – Strength: Sethe’s haunting and complex arc adds depth to the exploration of trauma and the legacy of slavery. |
| – Critique: The narrative’s non-linear structure and magical realism elements may obscure the clarity of character arcs, requiring careful reader attention. |
Character Arc: Relevant Terms
| Term | Definition |
| Character Arc | The transformative journey or development a character undergoes over the course of a narrative. |
| Flat Arc | An arc where the character’s beliefs remain consistent, but they impact and change the world around them. |
| Dynamic Character | A character who undergoes significant and substantial change in their beliefs, personality, or outlook. |
| Static Character | A character who remains unchanged throughout the narrative, with no significant development or transformation. |
| Redemption Arc | A narrative structure where a character seeks or achieves redemption from past mistakes or flaws. |
| Hero‘s Journey | A classic narrative structure involving a hero embarking on an adventure, facing challenges, and undergoing transformation. |
| Internal Conflict | The psychological struggle within a character, often contributing to their overall arc and development. |
| Catharsis | The emotional release or purification experienced by a character, often linked to a climactic moment in their arc. |
| Motivation | The driving force or goal that propels a character forward, influencing their decisions and actions throughout their arc. |
| Turning Point | A crucial moment in a character’s arc where a significant decision or event leads to a change in their trajectory. |
Character Arc: Suggested Readings
- Vogler, Christopher. The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers. Michael Wiese Productions, 2007.
- Truby, John. The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller. Faber & Faber, 2007.
- King, Stephen. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. Scribner, 2000.
- McKee, Robert. Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting. ReganBooks, 1997.
- Seger, Linda. Creating Unforgettable Characters. Holt Paperbacks, 1990.
- Egri, Lajos. The Art of Dramatic Writing: Its Basis in the Creative Interpretation of Human Motives. Touchstone, 2004.
- Propp, Vladimir. Morphology of the Folktale. University of Texas Press, 1968.
- Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Princeton University Press, 1949.
- Stein, Sol. Stein On Writing: A Master Editor of Some of the Most Successful Writers of Our Century Shares His Craft Techniques and Strategies. St. Martin’s Griffin, 1995.
- Gardner, John. The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers. Vintage, 1991.