WEEK 6: CHARACTERISATION

                             WEEK 6

Topic:             CHARACTERISATION:

Specific objective: By the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:

     i.        Explain what characterization means.

    ii.        State how characters are identified in a play.

i.             Write down the characters in the play, ‘The Millenium Dance’ by S.C. Nnadozie.

(A).  Introduction: Characterisation:

Characterisation refers to the ability of the writer to create human beings in plausible human relationships in the play. Therefore, characterization is what the writer does to bring a character to life; to present the reader with a sense of the character’s personality and to make that character unique. It is the methods used by a writer to reveal the personality of a character. Writers may develop characters through what they do, through how they react to situations or to other characters, through how they look physically, through what they say, how they act and express themselves and even through their names. Thus, imagery, vivid description, writer’s opinion and realistic dialogue bring character to life; they are all elements of characterization.

(B).  A character can be characterized or developed by writers:

1. directly,  or   (2) indirectly.

1. Direct Characterization:  takes place when the writer tells how the character looks, acts and thinks. It often occurs in the exposition since it provides background information very well. Yet, it can be used throughout the narration.

2.Indirect Characterization:  takes place when the writer allows the reader to draw conclusions about a character by only suggesting something about the character’s personality. In the same vein, characters’ own statements, actions as well as how other characters react to them can reveal much about characters.

(C).      The characters in ‘The Millenium Dance’ are:

King Moha, Osodieme, Mohanna, Omachi, Adadimma, ’Nedu, Nnaoma, Uzo, Mma, Ma Iya, Ladies, Nneoma, Ugoji, Ogamba, Azodo, Ikedi Uche, Tonna, Obinna, Ozara, Ukodi, Nnenne, Fr. Joe, Sis. May, Sis. Gina, Chiefs, Okacha, Sergeant Obi.

Evaluation Questions:

1. What is characterization?                            

2. State at least five ways/methods on how a character can be characterized/identified in a play.

3a. Write briefly on indirect characterization

3b. Write down the characters in the play, ‘The Millenium Dance’ by S.C. Nnadozie.