What is an example of a static character?

Answer 1

A static character remains the same throughout a narrative. Static characters are not developed and do not undergo a significant change throughout the course of a story.

William Shakespeare's Mistress Quickly in Henry IV. 2 is a static character.

So is L. Frank Baum's Auntie Em in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Answer 2

A static character is one who doesn't change, for better or for worse. These are typically supporting characters, because it's very difficult to keep an audience engaged with a character who shows no development throughout a story.

Some examples:

Peter Keating in "The Fountainhead."

Gimli and Legolas in "The Lord of the Rings." Although they're certainly entertaining characters, neither makes any significant change; they're very consistent heros.

Cathy in "East of Eden." Some people might mistakenly classify her as non-static because she's somewhat complex, but the fact remains that she doesn't change at all throughout the story.

Answer 3

A static character by definition is one that does not change throughout the story and is the opposite of a dynamic character. An more famous example would be Tybalt (sp?) in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet who did not change his hateful ways for the Capulets even at the pleading of his friend Romeo. Tybalt's arrogance ultimately leads to his death in the story.

Answer 4

Any character who is not changed from introduction to the end of the book.

Waldo comes to mind.

Character development and change in the main characters is a hallmark of literature, so look to supporting characters to remain static, not the protagonist.

Answer 5

A character who doesn't do much but be around. Might be a foil for other characters to play off of, but not anything more.

Answer 6

Apropos in "Sir Apropos of Nothing" by Peter David (also in "The Woad to Wuin" and "Tong Lashing") He's an anti-hero who always does things for the wrong reasons and never improves himself in any way. If he does the right thing, it wasn't on purpose. Other characters in the books frequently fail to recognize his selfish motivations.

Answer 7

a static character is one who changes either very little or not at all. characters like Archie Bunker, George Jefferson, Frank Burns, Ling on Ally McBeal, the woman who married Dylan Mcdermott on the practice and the receptionist, Debra on Everyone Loves Raymond, and Tealk on Stargate are all classic static characters. do you ever really see them do much or change much beyond the definition of their role or in how they interact with the story or other characters?

Pretty much EVERY female lead since 1990 is the same. they're all "strong" have issues with their fathers or mothers, most often have a kid or decide to have one in the midst of all their other unsolved crisis and always ardent feminists. in the past 17 years there has not been ONE original female character, who who surprises you and kicks your butt. there ALL the SAME and therefore STATIC.

Answer 8

The cabbage merchant on Avatar: The Last Airbender