Thursday 30 June 2016

In To Kill A Mockingbird, who is an example of a stock character and who is an example of a static character?

First, let's looks at what a stock character is: 


"a character in literature, theater, or film of a type quickly recognized and accepted by the reader or viewer and requiring no development by the writer" (dictionary.reference.com).


In To Kill a Mockingbird, there are several stock characters, but one of the most prominent is Calpurnia. Because so many stories taking place in the South include "Mammy" characters, Calpurinia is already familiar to the reader. The name "Mammy"...

First, let's looks at what a stock character is: 



"a character in literature, theater, or film of a type quickly recognized and accepted by the reader or viewer and requiring no development by the writer" (dictionary.reference.com).



In To Kill a Mockingbird, there are several stock characters, but one of the most prominent is Calpurnia. Because so many stories taking place in the South include "Mammy" characters, Calpurinia is already familiar to the reader. The name "Mammy" brings back memories of the character, Mammy, from Gone with the Wind. "Mammy" characters are often large, motherly black women who are either servants or slaves in a white household. Typically, they mind the children, do the housework, and are in charge of the kitchen. They are usually beloved by the audience as well, and often the white family whom they serve. Calpurnia fits all of these descriptors.


Next, let's look at what a static character is:



A static character, in this vocabulary, is one that does not undergo important change in the course of the story, remaining essentially the same at the end as he or she was at the beginning. A dynamic character, in contrast, is one that does undergo an important change in the course of the story" (Static and Dynamic Characterizations).



In To Kill a Mockingbird, one of the primary static characters is Bob Ewell. He is a racist from the beginning  of the novel to the end. He is the bad guy throughout the novel, first as the antagonist to Tom and even his daughter, Mayella, and later to Scout and Jem when he attacks them in the woods. His character never changes and each of his actions are predictable according to his character.

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