Dynamic Character

Flat, round, static, and dynamic are the four character types which a beginner in writing should know about before writing and developing any character in their stories.

Ever noticed a character changing throughout the story? These are “dynamic” characters who learn through experiences and changes, but a “static” character does not change and remains the same throughout the story.

The protagonist and the antagonist of the stories are often dynamic but even minor characters from the stories can be dynamic characters.

What is a Dynamic Character?

A dynamic character is a character that changes throughout the course of a story, often as a result of the events occurring in the story, as the story moves from beginning to the end.

6 Basic Points on Dynamic Characters:

#1. A dynamic character undergoes notable changes in his or her personality, attitude, thought process, behavior, or worldview. Whatever the character’s changes, it can be either of positive or negative value.

#2. They change throughout the story by learning through their experiences while facing a conflict, formidable circumstances, difficult situations, or enduring certain events.

#3. They can either evolve for better or for worse, according to the story plot.

#4. A dynamic character is often shown battling with their internal conflict, resulting in a significant change in the character.

#5. Events occurring in the storyline affect a dynamic character and can lead them to change.

#6. A story can contain more than one dynamic character.

Examples of Dynamic Character in Literature

#1 Harry Potter, in Harry Potter Series

Throughout the series, Harry changes to a better version of himself becoming more and more confident, strong, and a brave person who eventually killed the powerful and evil Voldemort.

Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter in Harry Potter movie series

Harry’s inner conflict also makes him a good example of a dynamic character, as when he becomes aware of his several abilities similar to Tom Riddle, who turn out to be the evil Lord Voldemort, he gets worried as what if he too turn as evil as Voldemort, but when Dumbledore taught him the lesson about the importance of one’s choices in life which differentiate people possessing similar abilities and said this makes him far different from evil Riddle, and this resolves Harry’s inner conflict making him a dynamic character.

#2 Scout Finch, in To Kill a Mockingbird

Mary Badham as Scout Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) movie

Scout is a dynamic character who changes throughout the course of a story as at the beginning of the book Scout is a tomboy, she is helpless and a naive young child but as the story progresses she gains maturity and turns into a much more experienced young lady.

#3 Elizabeth Bennet, in Pride and Prejudice

Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice (2005) movie

Elizabeth is a charming, witty, and intellectual lady, but she possesses a flaw as her personality is full of prejudice, but throughout the story, her attitude changes, and her prejudice see a steady decline. At the end of the novel, Elizabeth transforms into a mature woman with less prejudice in her persona.

#4 Ebenezer Scrooge, in A Christmas Carol

Ebenezer Scrooge as seen on ”A Christmas Carol” (2009) animated movie

Ebenezer Scrooge is one of the great examples of a dynamic character who changes for the better. At the beginning of the novella, Scrooge is an elderly miser man who refuses to donate any money to help the poor or to celebrate Christmas, but on that night of Christmas eve he was visited by the ghost of his dead business partner and the event drastically changes the miser Scrooge into a kind and giving person.