In stories, characters grow and change just as people do in real life. Authors develop their characters to make them believable and bring them to life for readers. Authors use descriptions and dialogue to develop their characters and give them personality.
Read this excerpt from From Scratch. Look at how the author develops the character of Priya.
From Scratch
As they worked in silence, Priya’s mother glanced at her. “Maybe your class would like to try Indian food sometime?”
Priya swallowed thickly. “Maybe,” she said. She tried to picture blue-eyed Lindsay biting into a golden, sticky gulabjamun. What if she spit it out? What if everyone laughed? The thought made Priya sick to her stomach.
The descriptions and dialogue shows that Priya hides her feelings. She does not tell her mother what she actually thinks about sharing Indian food with her class. Priya is worried that her classmates will not like the food from her culture.
Read this excerpt from Amy’s Metaphor. Look at how the author develops the character of Amy.
Amy’s Metaphor
. . . For example, I got angry when a woman in the grocery store asked me where I was from, and I said, “Right here in Greenfield.”
“No, where are you from from, originally?” she asked.
“Right here in Greenfield. Since I was born,” I told her.
“Are you sure? Because you look just like a Japanese girl I knew once,” she said. I said I was sure and then I had to explain the whole Korean-German thing to her, even though she was a total stranger. It’s not fair that people I don’t know can ask me questions about my race and heritage, but it’s not polite for me to ask them, “So why do your ears stick out like jug handles?”
The descriptions and dialogue show that Amy is upset by people who assume that she is not American. Amy does not tell the people how their words make her feel.
To compare the development of characters, see how the authors describe the main characters in the beginning, middle, and end of each story. Then, compare the texts. Identify similarities and differences in the way that the characters are developed.
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In "From Scratch," the character of Priya is developed as someone who is nervous and self-conscious about sharing her Indian culture with her classmates. This is shown through her internal monologue and hesitation when her mother suggests it. Throughout the story, Priya's fear of rejection and judgment is evident as she worries about her classmates' reactions. In the end, Priya is likely to have some growth and development as she faces her fears and opens up about her culture to her classmates.
In "Amy's Metaphor," the character of Amy is developed as someone who is frustrated and defensive about being constantly questioned about her ethnicity. This is shown through her interactions with a stranger in the grocery store and her inner thoughts about the unfairness of being judged based on her appearance. Throughout the story, Amy's irritation and reluctance to explain herself are apparent. In the end, Amy is likely to have some growth and development as she learns to assert herself and set boundaries with others.
Overall, both characters face challenges related to their cultural identity and struggle with how to handle others' questions and assumptions. They both show a reluctance to open up and assert themselves, but they also demonstrate a desire to be understood and accepted. The authors use descriptions and dialogue effectively to develop these characters and highlight their inner struggles.