Glossary: Character & Perspective
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Character | A participating agent like a person, entity, or force within a narrative through whom action, thought, or values are expressed. |
| Protagonist | The primary character whose journey forms the narrative core and anchors the story. |
| Antagonist | The force opposing the protagonist, not necessarily a villain. |
| Foil | A character whose traits contrast with another to highlight key qualities. |
| Flat Character | A character defined by a single dominant trait. |
| Round Character | A complex, multi-dimensional character capable of surprise. |
| Character Arc | The transformation (or resistance to transformation) a character undergoes. |
| Point of View (POV) | The perspective from which a narrative is told. |
| First-Person POV | Narration from within the story using "I." |
| Third-Person Limited | External narration confined to one character’s inner world and perspective. |
| Omniscient Narrator / Third-Person Omniscient | A narrator with access to all characters’ thoughts and events. |
| Antihero | A protagonist lacking traditional heroic qualities. |
| Characterization | The process of revealing a character’s nature. |
| Static Character | A character who does not significantly change. |
| Dynamic Character | A character who undergoes meaningful transformation. |
| Unreliable Narrator | A narrator whose account cannot be fully trusted. |