Whether you are reading or writing a book, looking into what makes up a character is engaging, meaningful and useful.įlat: the seemingly boring characters, the characters that are predictable, the ones readers barely give a second thought because everything about them is already written in the words of the narrative. Being a flat character does not mean they are a minor character. Each type of character affects a narrative different, but each type of character is still very important. On the other hand, a flat character is less dynamic with only one defining personality trait causing the reader not to be challenged when deciding the motives behind the character’s actions. A round character is similar to an actual person they have depth and more than one thing that defines his/her identity.

Forster discusses two character types: round and flat. In his work Aspects of the Novel (1927), E.M. Each character is undeniably memorable, and each character is arguably flat. In 1630, Othello lead the way through a tangle of jealously and murder. In 1851, Captain Ahab took readers on a deadly journey to seek the great white whale. In 1997, Harry Potter pulled the heartstrings of American readers, engaging them in a fantasy world of magic and strife.

Flat character english definition