what is a minor character ?

Answer 1

Often a minor character is one who does not move the plot along but does directly or indirectly provide information about the main characters.

Answer 2

A character who shows up here and there throughout the book, but still contributes to the plot. Just because the character is considered minor doesn't necessarily mean that it's not an important one.

Answer 3

If you're NOT the Protagonist ("hero") or the Antagonist ("villain") or the Love/Hate Interest...you're PROBABLY a minor character...

If they can take you OUT of the story and almost No One Notices...you're PROBABLY a minor character...

If you irritate most readers and have almost no real use...you're PROBABLY a minor character...

And if you can't say anything nice at all...you're probably a CRITIC...!

Answer 4

A minor character is one that has little or no influence on the plot of the novel. Minor characters are usually "flat" characters:
"Round vs. flat
Round characters are those characters who are most complex and realistic; they represent a depth of personality which is imitative of life. They frequently possess both good and bad traits, and they may react unexpectedly or become entangled in their own interior conflicts.
Protagonists are normally round characters, though notable exceptions (such as Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron) exist. Antagonists are often round as well, though comedic villains may be almost farcically flat. Examples of round characters from various genres include Humbert Humbert of Nabokov’s Lolita, Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler of Mitchell's Gone with the Wind, Vladimir Taltos of Brust’s series of novels, Frodo Baggins of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Buffy Summers of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Magneto of the X-Men comics and films, and Syaoran of CLAMP’s Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle.
A flat character is distinguished by its lack of a realistic personality. Though the description of a flat character may be detailed and rich in defining characteristics, it falls short of the complexity associated with a round character.
A number of stereotypical, or "stock" characters, have developed throughout the history of fiction. Some of these characters include the country bumpkin, the con artist, and the city slicker. These characters are often the basis of flat characters, though elements of stock characters can be found in round characters as well. The commedia dell'arte, a form of improvisational theatre which originated in Italy, consists of performers acting as well-known stock characters in conventional situations.
Supporting characters are generally flat, as most minor roles do not require a great deal of complexity. In addition, experimental literature and postmodern fiction often intentionally make use of flat characters, even as protagonists."

Answer 5

a character that is not the main focus of the novel, yet is important to the plot and/or themes of the novel and/or in characterizing the main character(s)

Answer 6

not the main character or supporting character. like an extra, or someone who doesn't make many appearances.

Answer 7

I think it is a character who has a small part in the book/movie.

Answer 8

someone who's not a main character in a story
like tito in the jackson 5