Character Classification- Paper # 1
 

The most vital aspects of narratives would be their characteristics. Characteristics are both simple (flat) and more complex (rounded), and together they affect the underlying meaning and delivery of the story. The classification of characters is based on their degree of "fullness". "Flat characters are analogous to humours, caricatures, types. In the purest form, they are constructed around a single idea or quality and therefore can be expressed in one sentence." (Rimmon-Kenan, pg. 40) On the other hand, round characters are defined as, ". . . not being flat, which involves having more than one quality and developing the course of the action." (Rimmon-Kenan 40) Upon analyzing the characters in "A Worn Path" an apparent distinction will be shown.

In Eudora Welty's story, "A Worn Path", there are a few flat characters and one main round character. The flat charactes are the hunger and the nurse. Although one can argue the significance of these characters, one's interpretations show these characters to be fairly simply. These characters are not multi-dimensional and in essence represent one thing. These are characters who are "serving a function beyond themselves" (Remmon-Kenan, pg. 40), they are representing a racist and disconcerned stereotype of the relationship's between blacks and whites of the time. They seem to sink back away from the story as almost inanimate objects, such as the thorny bush or the log bridge that only act as obstacles to the main character, Phoenix, attaining her goal. As if her journey was not tiresome enough, she is forced to deal with a plain and condescending perception of her. The hunter sees her simply as a, "Colored person," who "wouldn't miss going to town to see Santa Claus." (A Worn Path 145) This statement blatantly shows that he is unable to conceive the notion that she could be traveling this far for something important. The nurse simply sees her as a charity case. These characters obviously are not able to see her in the complex nature that the reader is able.

Phoenix is the antithesis of these characters. The author allows us to see her thoughts and actions, which allow us to form an opinion about her. Phoenix is considered a round character because of her many qualities. She is determined, experienced, loving, and humble person. She grew up in a time where she faced nothing but adversity and rose to the challenge to conquer it. For years she had made a trip that even the young hunter was amazed by and never complained about doing it. Her courage and devotion to her grandson elevate Phoenix into the realm of the round character.

The task of determining whether or not a character is flat or round is more difficult than it appears. As Rimmon-Kenan points out, characters have many different levels of complexity and intern can not be easily placed into two distinct categories. There is also the individual reader's interpretation of the characters, which also dictates the relevance of the character and his/her actions. Flat characters are especially difficult because they may serve many different roles in different capacities. They can imply significance to any action, show social sentiment, and can be used a representation of something (i.e. society). Depending upon a story, the flat characters may be as important as the round characters. No matter how one approaches the different categories and importance of characters, it still relies heavily upon the interpretation of the individual reader.