Characterization and heroism

Character refers to a person, an animal or an object in a story. It is very important that characters are well-developed, believable and consistent. At the beginning of a story a conflict is presented for the main character to resolve. There are secondary characters who are important to the main character because they help the main character move toward solving a problem. By the end of a story, a character should change or grow somehow. This could be by learning something new or by growing in understanding of self.
Character Traits: courageous, heroic, stubborn, proud, resourceful, brave, independent etc.
Readers who want to understand a character can ask questions like the following:

Are the characters believable? Have you ever felt like this character, or have you known anyone who felt like this character? What about the character seemed real and true?

Is each character’s behavior consistent with what we know about him or her? Does the behavior remain consistent throughout the book? Is the change that occurs in the character consistent with what we know about the character?

Although the character’s behavior is consistent, is it also not stereotyped? Does the character’s behavior show that the character is a unique individual?

Do you identify with the character? How would you have reacted if you were the character?

Does the character change or learn as the story progresses? Does the character reach a new understanding about the situation or about life?

HERO
1. a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.
2. a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal: He was a local hero when he saved the drowning child.
3. the principal male character in a story, play, film, etc.
4. Class. Myth.
a. a being of godlike prowess and beneficence who often came to be honored as a divinity.
b. (in the Homeric period) a warrior-chieftain of special strength, courage, or ability.
c. (in later antiquity) an immortal being; demigod.

Many of the qualities contained in the definition of
a hero speak to physical courage and strength. Are these the only qualities that make up a hero? What about the less physical traits?

Please read the section where Japheth is boasting in knowledge to Queenie, the morning after they first marched to Morant Bay. This section informs us as to why the march was necessary. The Underhill letter, The Queen's letter and info about Jamaican history. What information can we gather from each letter? Why was each letter written?

Did Deacon Bogle have a choice in the matter?
Could the revolt really have been avoided as Grandpa Joe argues?
Would more letters help their situation or complicate it further?

consider these questions as you revise or study for your exams.