HOW DO THE CHARACTERS IN THE STORY DEVELOP OR ENHANCE THE THEME?
Character is a combination of traits, and features that are vital or specific to a particular individual who’s having strong morals and a good reputation portrayed in a story. Character’s actions and motivations drive a story or it transfers some sort of larger message through its theme. The role of a character in the development or enhancement of a theme is first understanding the behavior of the character in different situations or circumstances which helps the writer in the establishment of plot points. It later switches the character into action due to the circumstances that support the story’s theme. Ultimately, the theme is the lesson or the morals learned by characters (or failed to have learned) at the end of the story. The theme is inherent in the struggles of the characters and also in the story itself. Or the characters go through certain experiences such as feelings, goals, and personalities to the conflict that determined the topic of the story which later develops the theme. The theme of a story is a broad message about life and it’s vital because it’s the reason behind the story. The crux behind the writing of the story is that he wants to share a message with his readers. And the theme is also one of the most powerful tools of the writer and the theme is derived from the emotional development of characters or the consequences faced by the characters as a result of their actions. By utilizing the theme in the right way by creating an emotional connection between the readers and characters.
There are several ways in which the characters develop their theme as sometimes, characters help in the development of theme because of their deep perspectives. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout Finch illustrates the story of Tom Robinson’s trial and its terrifying result from the perspective of childhood innocence. Her perspective in the book is clear that tom is innocent, in short, her perspective highlights the theme that racism can destroy innocent people. The other way is that the characters help to develop the theme because of the historical context they represent. In the story "The Story of an Hour" by Louise Mallard, she lives in a society where women didn’t have many choices to live according to their desires. She compared her life with the life of a prisoner who has had no choice but to live his life freely. In her whole life, she has remained loyal to her husband for many years, and when to knows that his husband is now no more. She celebrates his freedom and cries with tears of relief and Louise shows the life of the women living before the 19th century. The major theme she wanted to share through the perspective of historical context in this story is that woman sacrificing everything in a marriage, including her goals and desires, and the devastating effects of her life. Another way is the development of theme through the conflicts they have with other characters or with society, ideas, and culture. For instance, in the book Hamlet, the main character was engaged in a conflict with Claudius, whom he learns has killed his father and stolen his crown. This leads to seeking revenge, and the inner turmoil created by the conflict points to one of the major themes in the play. The major theme was revenge which has devastating effects on all parties.
Characters are somehow the medium used by the author to deliver or share an intended theme by using various aspects of their settings, conflicts, perspectives, and actions. Characters contribute significantly to the development of the theme in various ways. Characters are the individuals or the protagonists through whose viewpoint the reader mostly observes the story and those events which creates the thematic elements. For instance, in the book The Great Gatsby, the characters are represented strictly from Nick Carraway’s perspective. The motifs of yearning and sympathy are established due to his internal motivations and desires, not to mention his fondness. The perspective of character aids in the development of the theme because from another point of view it is completely different. Additionally, the speech and mannerisms of the characters can lend themselves to a particular theme, enhancing it. For instance, if a character is always cryptic and speaks in confusing and mysterious phrases, it would create an air of mystery in the novel, but if they are bold and straightforward, it may imply a theme of leadership and strength. Another point is the development of the theme through words, thoughts, and actions. For example, in One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, the main theme deals with the mental health system’s clinical, and uncaring behavior towards admitted or hospitalized patients. The character nurse Ratchet shares this theme through her authoritarian actions and cold-hearted words. There’s another example from the book The Snow of Kilimanjaro, in which highlighted theme is the meaning of life. The writer Ernest Hemingway utilizes a series of interior monologues, to detail how the dying main character Harry, comes to terms with his life in italic type.
In another story of Hemingway, A Clean, Well-Lighted Place in which he reveals the theme of loneliness primarily through the dialogue. A very old deaf man is sitting alone by himself in a cafe one late night/early morning. The theme of the story is established by waiters who were working in the café in the otherwise space talking about him. The old man, himself, says just ten words that show dismay or loneliness. If a story is written well by the author, its character will represent many themes. The best writing piece highlighted a theme, through its characters, rather than just explicitly telling readers the theme directly. Other literary devices, such as setting and mood, can help to elaborate the theme, but the story's main characters the protagonists usually play the most vital role.
Character develops the theme in several other ways. The author took a character as the spokesperson for the author's perception or later opposes the author's views, either of which becomes clear by what happens to the character in the story. The theme in actuality is the message the author wants to convey to the reader, and the character can either say things that express the theme, or exchange ideas with other characters who include the theme ideas. Characters can also perform actions that represent what the author wishes to share for the theme. For instance in the book To Kill a Mockingbird, the author has Atticus Finch who defends the idea that Tom Robinson deserves a fair trial for allegedly attacking a white woman even though Tom is black and the town racist. This action shows that Harper Lee dominated the theme of racism and feels about the racism of the people. What other characters say about another character is another way to develop or enhance a theme, as Harper Lee uses in his book when other characters yell at Atticus Finch when he defends the jail and Tom Robinson in the jail.
To sum up, the characters in the story enhance or develop the theme because of the character's deep perspectives. The development of the theme through the historical context of the characters or the development of themes through the conflicts they have with other characters or with society, ideas, and characters. The other way is the development of themes through the words, thoughts, and actions and highlighting the theme of uncaring attitude or loneliness. In short, the theme is the happenings faced by the protagonist or the main character in his various aspects of life in the story. The theme is also a central idea or any argument in a literary piece of writing which can be determined by analyzing the text and getting clues about the message the writer wants to convey.
You must be logged in to post a comment.