#3 Week4 How Authors Disclose Character in Literature Pg.158-160

Summary

There are five ways authors bring their characters to life, characters actions, the author's description of the character, what characters say, what others say about the character, and finally what the author says about the character. A lot can be said for a character depending on his or her actions, it can tell the reader if the character is devious or honest. Characters actions provide insight to their own character. The surroundings of where characters live, work, play can tell the reader what social class they come from, if they are trying to climb up the economic ladder and even give great background on the character. Of course how characters act and talk can tell the reader about their personalities, traits and the type of person that character is. By the same token what the surrounding characters and author say can per sway the reader to either agree with the main characters beliefs or completely appose whatever the main character is saying. Because of this authors usually prefer to keep their commentaries out of their writing so that the reader can come to their own conclusions about the character.

Reader Response

Author's always want the readers to be able to connect with their stories, be it relating to the reader's own life or the author getting the reader involved. Authors also want the reader to be able to come either to the same conclusion or their own conclusions about their stories and or characters. While it is important to try to get their points and views across most authors like to keep their opinions outside of their books so they cannot sway fickle minded people in one direction or another. It is important to bring characters to life through many different perspectives so that the reader can connect with the character as if the character were real.