Static vs. Dynamic Character — Differences and Examples
What are static and dynamic characters?
Within a narrative, characters are classified as either static or dynamic. The classification identifies the character development through the course of a story. Static characters undergo little to no development, while dynamic characters change in some substantial way.
Authors use dynamic characters for the following reasons:
Realism: Through the use of dynamic characters, authors make their works more realistic. These characters tend to mimic the same types of character changes that can occur within people in the real world.
Plot: Dynamic characters aid authors in moving the plot forward. The character’s reaction to conflict and subsequent change allows the story to progress.
Inspiration: Authors often utilize dynamic characters to inspire their readers to believe that they too can change.
Authors use static characters for the following reasons:
Motivate Protagonist: Authors can use static characters to provide insight into what would happen if the protagonist (dynamic character) refuses to change, often motivating them to act.
Reflection: Static characters can represent a certain ideal with which the dynamic character struggles. The static character reflects the conflict the dynamic character must overcome.
Dramatic Foil: As a dramatic foil (a character included to directly contrast with the protagonist), static characters help the reader determine how much the dynamic character has changed by comparison.
Dynamic character
The following characteristics outline the role of a dynamic character:
Internal Change: Dynamic characters mainly experience an internal change. While there may be external effects (e.g., changes in appearance, relationships with others, etc.), they stem from some type of inner change. Due to its internal nature, the character’s development is not altered due to a change in their circumstances, but rather stems from the response to those circumstances.
Subtle: The change experienced by a dynamic character is often subtle and not stated outright. Their confrontation of the conflict at the climax of the story often indicates the manner of their transformation.
Protagonist: While not always the case, the protagonist of a story tends to be a dynamic character. As the main character of a story, the protagonist is directly involved within the conflict of the story. Overcoming that conflict typically leads to some significant change.
Type of Change: Very rarely, the change a dynamic character experiences is negative and/or detrimental; however, their situation can change for the worse. Usually, a dynamic character learns a lesson that changes them for the better.
Round: Round characters have multiple character traits and are usually complex.
Static character
Static characters possess the following qualities:
Unchanging: Static characters remain the same through the end of the story. While their circumstance may change, their personality, philosophy, and/or outlook does not.
Antagonist: The antagonist of a story is often static. Their purpose is to hinder the protagonist in some way. While the antagonist can be dynamic (e.g., Dr. Seuss’ Grinch), their main role is to provide the resistance the protagonist needs to experience their own growth.
Secondary Characters: Minor characters in a literary work tend to be static. Their purpose is to guide the protagonist (directly or indirectly) to confront the conflict and experience change.
Flat: Flat characters are usually one-dimensional characters limited to a few personality traits and minimal backstory.
Examples of dynamic and static characters
The following examples identify dynamic characters from famous literary works:
Hamlet from Hamlet by William Shakespeare: Hamlet is often considered the epitome of a dynamic character. At the beginning of the story, Hamlet’s is angry with his uncle, who killed his father and married his mother. Hamlet is plagued with hesitancy as he worries about what awaits him in the afterlife should he carry out his vengeance. However, throughout his character arc, he eventually recognizes that no one can escape the inevitability of death, which frees his mind and allows him to avenge his father’s death.
Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens: At the outset of the novel, Scrooge is a miserly curmudgeon who loathes the idea of Christmas. However, after being visited by spirits and given insight into his past, present, and future, Scrooge changes into an altruistic and philanthropic character who wants to help those who are less fortunate than him.
The Creature from Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: Initially, Victor Frankenstein’s creation is an outcast, denied by both his “father” and society due to his external appearance. Despite this, he attempts to interact, even going as far as saving a drowning child. However, the rejection he receives from society causes him to lash out violently. At the end of the novel, he realizes Victor was the only companion he ever truly had, so upon his creator’s death, it is evident that the creature has outgrown his anger and is ready for his life to end as well.
The following examples identify static characters from famous literary works:
Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: Throughout the entirety of the novel, Atticus remains a consistent character who represents intelligence, acceptance, and understanding. He realizes the shortcomings of some of the townsfolk in Maycomb, and he knows that despite his beliefs, he will most likely lose in defending Tom Robinson, a Black man accused of mistreating a white woman. However, nothing in the text causes Atticus to change his values or the views he has of the world.
Mr. Collins from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: Cousin of the Bennet sisters and presumptive heir to their father’s estate, Mr. Collins is materialistic and shows overly exaggerated humility over the course of the story. The Bennet sisters find him boring and tiresome, but he moves the plot along by encouraging Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth to get married. Nothing Mr. Collins experiences in the novel changes his attitudes, even though his circumstances change.
Victor Frankenstein from Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: Victor plays the dramatic foil to his creation. While his creature develops from the beginning to the end of the novel, Victor stays relatively the same. He continuously acts without thought, leading to the destruction of his entire world. As someone who wanted to be remembered, he ends up alone in the Artic chasing that which he believes ruined his life; however, Victor’s choice not to understand his creation from the beginning to the end leads to his demise.