Understanding Character Analysis in IB English
In IB English, analyzing a character means examining how and why a writer constructs a person or figure in a text, and what that characterization reveals about the text’s themes, tone, and context.
Character analysis is a key skill in Paper 1 (unseen analysis), Paper 2 (comparative essays), and the Individual Oral (IO). Strong responses go beyond describing personality — they evaluate how literary techniques shape characterization and meaning.
What Is Characterization? | IB Literary Concept
Characterization refers to the methods authors use to develop a character’s personality, motivations, and evolution throughout a text.
Two Main Types of Characterization
- Direct characterization: The narrator or other characters explicitly describe traits.
Example: “He was the kind of man who would never lie.” - Indirect characterization: The reader infers traits through actions, dialogue, tone, and symbolism.
Example: A character’s nervous speech or constant self-doubt might reveal insecurity.
In IB English analysis, both types should be explored with reference to authorial intention and stylistic choices.
Steps to Analyze a Character in IB English Essays
1. Identify the Character’s Role
- Protagonist, antagonist, or secondary character?
- What function do they serve in developing the plot or theme?
Example: In Hamlet, Hamlet functions as the tragic protagonist whose indecision drives both the plot and thematic tension.
2. Examine Character Traits and Motivations
Ask: What drives this character? Ambition, guilt, love, power, or fear?
- Trace how motivation influences choices and conflicts.
- Consider psychological depth and moral complexity.
Example: In Macbeth, ambition evolves into paranoia, revealing how unchecked desire corrupts.
3. Analyze Relationships and Interactions
How a character interacts with others exposes power dynamics and values.
- Relationships often reflect larger social or thematic ideas (gender, class, morality).
Example: In Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet’s dialogue with Darcy reveals both personal pride and societal expectations of marriage.
4. Study Character Development (Static vs. Dynamic)
- Dynamic characters change as a result of conflict or revelation.
- Static characters remain constant, often representing fixed ideas or moral centers.
Example: The Great Gatsby’s Daisy remains static, symbolizing the illusion of the American Dream.
5. Evaluate Authorial Techniques
Writers use form, structure, and style to build character:
- Diction and tone: Reveal mood and psychology.
- Symbolism: Objects or settings reflect inner states.
- Narrative voice: First-person vs. omniscient narration affects perception.
IB students should connect these methods directly to theme and interpretation — a hallmark of top-level analysis.
Character Analysis in Different Genres | IB Comparative Insight
- Prose: Focus on narration, point of view, and psychological realism.
- Drama: Analyze dialogue, stage directions, and performance context.
- Poetry: Explore persona, voice, and tone to infer character presence or attitude.
In comparative essays, discuss how different authors use characterization to explore similar global issues — for instance, identity, power, or morality.
How to Write About Characterization in IB Essays
- Begin with a clear topic sentence identifying the character’s role or change.
- Support with quotations and technique analysis (imagery, diction, symbolism).
- Explain the effect on theme or audience.
- Evaluate authorial purpose — why this characterization matters.
Example essay sentence:
“Through Okonkwo’s rigid masculinity in Things Fall Apart, Achebe critiques the destructive impact of colonialism on traditional identities.”
Why Character Analysis Matters in IB English
Character analysis reveals how authors explore human psychology, morality, and conflict — essential for understanding global issues and authorial purpose. It helps IB students:
- Move from summary to critical interpretation.
- Connect individual choices to societal or thematic implications.
- Develop deeper, more nuanced essay arguments.
Through RevisionDojo’s IB English course, students can access guided character maps, essay templates, and sample annotations that demonstrate how characterization shapes meaning across genres.
FAQs
What does it mean to analyze a character in IB English?
It means examining how a writer develops a character’s personality, motivations, and relationships to reveal deeper themes.
What techniques are used in characterization?
Dialogue, imagery, symbolism, tone, and narrative perspective all contribute to characterization.
Why is character analysis important for IB exams?
It shows understanding of authorial intent and allows students to connect individual details to broader interpretations.
