I would say that the principle means of characterization employed by the author is through a combination of emotions, thoughts, narrative, and dialogue. Each of these elements helps to reveal the inner workings of the characters, their motivations, and their personalities, allowing the reader to form a deeper understanding of who they are. Through emotions, the author can show how the characters feel about certain situations and events. Through thoughts, the author can provide insight into the characters' innermost thoughts and struggles. Narrative can highlight a character's actions and reactions to various events, while dialogue can reveal how characters interact with one another and express themselves. Together, these elements help to create multifaceted and realistic characters that drive the story forward.
