Styles of Characterization

Character development is an extremely important aspect in the creation of a novel.  Authors such as Arnold Bennett, Katherine Mansfield , and Jane Austen developed the characters in their works of literature in different ways.  Bennett used thorough descriptions to create characters, Mansfield used plot the plot to reveal and help the reader draw inferences from the characters actions, and Austen used a combination of both styles.  The manner in which each of these authors introduces its characters influences how the reader views the characters throughout the novel. 

Arnold Bennett's writing style was influenced by the Edwardian time period, and in conjunction with  modernist writers, he created characters by description.  Bennett believed that a good novel was based on a real and convincing character, and otherwise, the novel would have no chance to endure.  The only means of creating this character was to describe the attributes of the character plainly and clearly.  This type of characterization leads the reader to gather judgments about the character almost immediately. Direct characterization creates significantly more shallow characters in comparison to the characterization present in Katherine Mansfield's writing.

In Katherine Mansfield's  short story Miss Brill, Mansfield slowly revealed information about the protagonist till the end.  Mansfield used details from the story to describe Miss Brill.  Instead of Mansfield telling readers Miss Brill is a poor, lonely, old woman, she used details from Miss Brill's day in the park to elaborate on her personality.   Miss Brill viewed the activities of others and imagined having  relationships with them while she sat alone  revealing that she lacked close friendships and relationships.  Additionally, the old fur that is showing wear and use is a representation of her lower middle class status.  Finally, readers are not told of Miss Brill's age until the very end of the story when Miss Brill overheard a young couple mocking her and her age.  By using clues from the story to create her protagonist, Mansfield created an engaging story which allows readers to truly understand her character.

Jane Austen's Emma utilized both styles of characterization used by Bennett and Mansfield.  Austen revealed information about the protagonist throughout the story; however,  Austen characterized Harriet Smith almost completely by description.  Emma is the protagonist of the novel and upon Emma's reactions to certain situations, inferences can be made of her character.  Through Emma's belief in her matchmaking abilities, the reader learns of her stubbornness, vanity, and desire to help others.  In contrast to how Austen characterized Emma, other characters in the novel were characterized  by description.  Readers are simply told of Harriet's life, appearance, and social class in a few paragraphs. This was the majority of the character development of Harriet.   Austen's use of multiple characterization styles allow for her to focus and develop on characterizing the protagonist. 

I find, that while both means of characterization are useful, Mansfield's establishment of characters throughout the story was most engaging.  As a reader, being able to develop an idea of a character based on the storyline rather than being told details created more vivid and realistic characters.

Andrew Corbitt

Mansfield, Katherine. “Miss Brill.” Stories. 1956. New York: Vintage 1991. 298-302. Print.

Austen, Jane. Emma. New York: Penguin. 1815.