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.
