Flat and Round Characters

Round Character: This term refers to a character with complex and often gray or contradictory traits, meaning that his or her negative and positive traits often mix together. You can usually describe him/her in ways that differ but still make sense; you might find a round character difficult to fully explain or define, and a round character might evoke conflicting or powerful emotions in you (especially sympathy). Keep in mind that consequences the character causes, events that happen around the character, and people that the character willingly and knowingly associates with, all contribute to the characters image, whether it be negative, positive, or a mixture of the two types of traits. (Ex: She loves people, but she has jealousy towards people.) How might John Proctor, from The Crucible, qualify as a round character? Flat Character: This term refers to a character that has simple or one-dimensional characteristics, usually all negative or all positive traits. You can describe this character using words that basically point in the same direction or mean similar ideas. You can easily define this type of character. Why might Reverend Parris, from The Crucible, amount to a flat character?

Examples of round and flat characters from your own experience: We should discuss your responses to the opening Do Now activity. As you should listen to your classmates share their responses, try to determine if these characters are round or flat. Why? *A Point to Ponder: Which type of character seems more life-like or realistic? Why? Based on our discussion of America, The American Dream and its contradictions, which type of character seems more connected to an American image? Does a flat or one-sided character (all positive or all negative) represent the American image better or does a rounder, multi-dimensional character better represent the American image?

Flat and Round Characters in The Great Gatsby

Some characters in this novel seem complex and others seem simple. Lets examine the characters we met so far and determine if they qualify as round or flat. Lets start through examining Nick Carraway together. Nick Carraway: List 35 adjectives, phrases, or bits of information that accurately describe him as you know him so far. He is a kind and cool guy, but is jealous of his brother at times.

For the most part, based on these adjectives or phrases, what impression do you have of Nick? Does he seem round or flat? Why do you think so? Nick seems to be a round character because his kind and cool side mix with his jealousy of his brother.

You should take some time to fill in a brief sketch for each character below; you do not need your book for this activity, just your memory. Follow these steps:
Everyone from Jillian to Samantha and Lauren: With your usual partner, take about 34 minutes to fill in a sketch for Jordan Baker and Myrtle Wilson. Ensure you mention if they qualify as round or flat characters. Everyone from Kristin and Laura to Mitchelle: With your usual partner, take 34 minutes to fill in a sketch of Daisy Buchanan and Tom Buchanan. Ensure you mention if they qualify as round or flat characters. (Katharine, Mitchelle, and Grace should work together.) We should share when everyone finishes. Everyone from Jillian to Samantha and Lauren: Jordan Baker: List 35 adjectives, phrases, or bits of information that thoroughly describe Jordan Baker as you know her so far.

For the most part, based on these adjectives or phrases, what impression do you have of Jordan? Does she seem round or flat? Why do you think so?

Myrtle Wilson: List 35 adjectives, phrases, or bits of information that thoroughly describe Myrtle as you know her so far.

For the most part, based on these adjectives or phrases, what impression do you have of Myrtle? Does she seem round or flat? Why do you think so?

Everyone from Kristin and Laura to Mitchelle: Daisy Buchanan: List 35 adjectives, phrases, or bits of information that thoroughly describe Daisy Buchanan as you know her so far.

For the most part, based on these adjectives or phrases, what impression do you have of Daisy? Does she seem round or flat? Why do you think so?

Tom Buchanan: List 35 adjectives, phrases, or bits of information that thoroughly describe Tom Buchanan as you know him so far. For the most part, based on these adjectives or phrases, what impression do you have of Tom? Does he seem round or flat? Why do you think so?

Lets Examine Jay Gatsby

We should have already examined and discussed some flat and round characters in the beginning phase of The Great Gatsby. Now, since you should have read the novels fourth chapter, you should see another, major character beginning to emergeJay Gatsby. Lets spend some time examining Jay Gatsby and if he qualifies as a round or flat character. Take a glance at the two-column chart that should appear on the next page. We should do some work with this chart today, to determine if Gatsby is a round or flat character, and why. Whole Class Work: 1. Together, as a class, we should read pages 6567 in The Great Gatsby. While reading, we should underline any sentences or phrases that reveal a significant idea about our main character, Jay Gatsby. You can also underline any sentence that describes an object Gatsby owns, or a person that associates with Gatsby; these details might further add to what we know of his character. 2. Once we finish reading pages 6567, you should tell Mrs. E the sentences you underlined. We all should place them in Column A: Phrases or sentences describing Gatsby, something or someone associated with Gatsby. We should also discuss what these sentences suggest about Gatsby, and place our thoughts in Column B: Does this sentence show positive or negative traits for Gatsby? Explain why.

Independent Work: You should complete this first part of the following activity quietly and by yourself. You should use the chart for this work. Partner A (in the front row, and Lauren, Laura, or Ashley H, who sit in the middle): Your job involves reading through pages 67 69. Underline at least three sentences or phrases that somehow characterize Gatsby: consider not only comments about him, but also events that occur as a result of his presence, or people he associates with that reveal his character. Write down these exact phrases or sentence in column A. In column B, explain what this sentence reveals about Gatsby (negative or positive traits), and why you think so. You might use this textual evidence for your analytical essay. Partner B (in the back row, and Samantha, Kristin, or Camille, who sit in the middle): Your job involves reading through pages 7375. Underline at least three sentences or phrases that characterize Gatsby: consider not only comments about him, but also events that occur as a result of his presence, or people he associates with that reveal his character. Write down these exact phrases or sentence in column A. In column B, explain what this sentence reveals about Gatsby (negative or positive traits), and why you think so. .

Pair Work: 1. When you and your partner finish you should (as usual!) share your responses so you have recorded each
others ideas in your own chart; Mrs. E should time you, so take about eight minutes. Once you finish sharing each others ideas, you and your partner should discuss and answer these questions on loose-leaf paper. DO NOT WRITE ON THIS SHEET, SINCE THERE IS NO ROOM: 2. Based on you and your partners responses in columns A and B, is he a round or flat character? Explain your answer in two to three sentences, using examples from your chart. 3. How can you and your partner summarize Gatsbys character, in a sentence? How would you accurately describe him to someone who doesnt know him?

4. Based on how you describe Gatsby as a flat or round character, write 12 sentences explaining why Gatsby might represent America and all its traits?

Column A: Phrases or sentences describing Gatsby, something or someone associated with Gatsby

Column B: Does this sentence show positive or negative traits for Gatsby? Explain why.

Two-Column Chart Continued Column A: Phrases or sentences describing Gatsby, something or someone associated with Gatsby Column B: Does this sentence show positive or negative traits for Gatsby? Explain why.