Many characters from novels are well known. It is important that you know the main characters from your novel extremely well. You should be able to talk about your characters’ personalities, what motivates them and how they develop throughout the novel.
When studying your novel, ask these questions about the characters: ✱ Name and role in the story
✱ Personality and appearance ✱ Relationships with others ✱ What do they want? ✱ Do they change? ✱ Key moments they are involved in
Name of character: Lennie
Role in story: Main character, a child in a man’s body, a symbol for purity and innocence
What does he want? To pet soft things and own a farm
Personality and appearance: Vulnerable and childlike, but a huge, bear-like man
Does he change? No, Lennie doesn’t change his personality or goals
Relationships: Friendship with George
Key moment: He tries to pet a woman because her hair is soft
Make sure you are able to: ✱ Explain whether your character changes from the opening of the story to the end ✱ Write four/fi ve points about their relationship with another character ✱ Describe two key moments in detail that show the reader something about your character
✱ Quote important phrases that your character says or any important phrase that is said about them
✱ Understand their personality and why the decisions they make are important to the plot of the story
