Characterization

Characterization is a central preoccupation of feminist and social criticism of cultural works.

Characterization consists of (a) the initial set of attributes given to the character, including the character's personality, moral character, habits, life history, etc.; and (b) the character's arc, including the events that befall the character, the character's actions, and changes in the character's personality, outlook, etc., over the course of the work.

Because fictional characters are defined and created by people embedded in their own cultures, with their own prejudices and beliefs, characterization both defines and demonstrates the creator's ability to avoid sexist, racist, and other social prejudices of her own time.

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