From the main characters in the Short Fiction Unit, write a short, persuasive essay as to which character is the most sympathetic and why.

 2-3 pages
 1 academic source
 TNR 12
 Double-spaced
 APA
9 Traits of Sympathetic Characters
Identify with Characters. We tend to identify with characters who are like us in some way. They play
certain roles in a family, do certain types of work, are concerned about issues we are concerned about.
1. Physical Descriptions. We like beautiful people. Graceful. Striking. Attractive.
2. Altruism. Orson Scott Card, in his classic Characters and Viewpoint, describes three levels of
altruism, or the unselfish concern for the welfare of others.
 Victim: A character who is the victim of suffering (jeopardy, pain, evil) will evoke
sympathy, but also pity for his/her weakness and a touch of contempt for allowing
him/herself to become a victim.
 Savior: This character is admired because he takes action against suffering of someone
else; however, it could be conceived as a fool rushing into danger. Three things help here:
the savior is reluctant to intrude; the victim asks for help, indirectly or directly; and the
situation is urgent.
 Sacrifice: A character who is willing to give up something important (riches, power,
position, freedom, life) for a moral cause will almost always get sympathy.
3. Active v. Passive. How active is your character? His plans, needs, dreams and hopes are
important in developing sympathy. If your character just reacts to events, he will be considered
weak. Instead, he should be pursuing some plan, need, dream or hope and that action is
interrupted by the story’s events.
a. Plan. Immediate plan of action, plus long term plans.
b. Needs. Ongoing needs for food, shelter, money, sleep, information, love, conversation,
etc.
c. Dreams. The character daydreams about the outcome of plans.
d. Hopes. What is the ultimate hope that draws the character onward and won’t let him
stop?
4. Morality. Courage, sense of fair play, noble causes–all the character issues relating to moral
issues are extremely important.
a. Courage: Will a character take physical, mental, emotional and financial risks for what is
right?
Essay I
2-3 pages
50 points
b. Fair Play: They don’t gloat, cheat, do anything sneaky or underhanded.
c. Noble causes: Characters who recognize a noble cause – the underlying morality of an
event – will usually be considered sympathetic and worthy of our attention.
5. Drafted or a Volunteer. Here the question is “What’s in it for me?” If the character volunteers to
do a nasty task because it’s the right thing to do, we will praise him. If, however, the character is
asked to do something that will give him a worldwide reputation, be careful. For that kind of task,
one that will give him great rewards in return, he must be drafted, or risk our disdain.
6. Promise Keeper. This is a crucial one: once s/he gives her/his word, will s/he keep it?
Sympathetic characters would rather die than go back on a promise. Literally die.
7. Intelligence. Well, a little bit goes a long way here. Smart enough to figure his way out of
trouble, but not so smart to stay out of trouble to begin with.
8. Flaws. Also crucial is the flaws of your character. In From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E.
Frankweiler, the brother, Jamie, cheats at cards. Some love this sympathetic secondary character
and part of the reason is that he cheats at cards. Strange, but it’s true.
9. Loved by someone else. Ever wonder why so many stories have sidekicks? If someone is loved
by someone else, it establishes the character as someone worthy of love. He may have a pet or a
weaker character who admires him.
Chopin “The Story of an Hour”
Hemingway “Hills Like White Elephants”
Bradbury “The October Game”
King’s “Premium Harmony”
Dahl “Lamb to the Slaughter”

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