20 March 2007

Character Analysis Exercises

Below I have listed variations of several common in-class exercises that have been used by many literature teachers over the years to analyze character-driven literary works and films.


Four Character Analysis Exercises

Suggested Resource
My examples use the award-winning French-Algerian film Inch' Allah Sunday (2001), focusing on its leading characters, a young mother and wife Zouina and her mother-in-law Aicha (she's quite the character, by the way!).

I have a copy of the film if you want to see it. I also have a thorough three-part lesson plan on using the film, which I would also be happy to share.

Inch’ Allah dimance (Inch' Allah Sunday). Dir. Yamina Benguigui. DVD. Film Movement, 2001.


ASSIGNMENT:
Compare and contrast two key characters in a literary work or film

1. One-word Summary:

Summarize the relationship between ___PERSON A___ (Zouina) and ___PERSON B ____ (her mother-in-law Aicha) in a single word. Then write a paragraph or two explaining why that word is an appropriate description of their relationship.

2. One-sentence Summary:

Write a one-sentence summary of the relationship between ___PERSON A___ (Zouina) and ___PERSON B ____ (her mother-in-law Aicha), answering the journalistic questions of who, what, when, where, why, and how.

3. Perspective Study:

Write a paragraph or two looking at ___PERSON A___ (Zouina) and ___PERSON B ____ (her mother-in-law Aicha). Then do the same in reverse.

4. Character Bio-Poem

Write a bio-poem to explore and describe __PERSON A ___ (Zouina). Use descriptive and vivid words!

Line 1: First name
Line 2: Who is...(three descriptive words that describe the character)
Line 3: Who loves...(three ideas or people)
Line 4: Who feels...(three ideas )
Line 5: Who needs...(three ideas)
Line 6: Who gives...(three ideas)
Line 7: Who fears...(three ideas)
Line 8: Who would like to see...
Line 9: Who shares...
Line 10: Who is... (repeat Line 2 or add 1-3 more descriptions)
Line 11: Who is a resident of...
Line 12: Last name

Use the same format to explore and describe __PERSON B___ (her mother-in-law Aicha).

Then reflect in writing or orally with a partner on the two poems. How are the two characters similar and how are they different? Did anything surprise you? How do the similarities and differences help illuminate the two character’s relationship?


*) Graphic image from Ever Eden Design



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