Which term describes direct portrayal of a character's traits by the narrator?

Explore the fascinating world of American Literature and Drama with quizzes on literary devices and themes. Discover essential concepts and prepare effectively for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which term describes direct portrayal of a character's traits by the narrator?

Direct characterization is when the narrator states a character’s traits outright. The narrator explicitly describes who the character is—telling you they are brave, vain, compassionate, etc.—so the traits are presented directly rather than inferred. This differs from indirect characterization, where you learn about a character through actions, dialogue, appearance, thoughts, and how others react to them. A flashback is a device that moves back in time to reveal past events, while figurative language uses metaphors, similes, or personification to create imagery. Because the question asks for the term that describes direct portrayal by the narrator, direct characterization is the precise label.

Direct characterization is when the narrator states a character’s traits outright. The narrator explicitly describes who the character is—telling you they are brave, vain, compassionate, etc.—so the traits are presented directly rather than inferred. This differs from indirect characterization, where you learn about a character through actions, dialogue, appearance, thoughts, and how others react to them. A flashback is a device that moves back in time to reveal past events, while figurative language uses metaphors, similes, or personification to create imagery. Because the question asks for the term that describes direct portrayal by the narrator, direct characterization is the precise label.

More practice questions