Character Bone Structure

CHARACTER BONE STRUCTURE

Each character in literature possesses traits which help the reader understand that character’s personality and motivation. However, these traits may not be directly stated, so the reader must discover them through character description, dialog, actions, etc.

You are to do a ‘Bone Structure’ for each of the three major adult characters in SCARLET LETTER (Hester, Dimmesdale, Chillingworth). There are 3 main categories to a Bone Structure: Physiology (physical appearance), Sociology ( social status, social habits, how the character fits into society), and Psychology. Within each category you will find several sub topics.

Complete each category and subtopic for each of the 3 main characters; you will have three – 3 part bone structures, one for each character. Complete each sub section with quotes, paraphrases, actions from the text and commentary (explanation) about what each quote, etc. implies about that facet of that character. I realize that for a few of the subcategories you may not be able to find inferences – just a FEW!!

On the back of this sheet I have included a sample of a few entries from one character, Tom Robinson, in To Kill a Mockingbird. You may set up your bone structure however you choose, but keep each character on a separate sheets of paper.

PHYSIOLOGY: (The character’s physical appearance)

Sex:

Age:

Height and Weight:

Posture (this is the way somebody handles and presents himself physically):

Clothes:

Defects – physical and/or mental:

Heredity, Ethnicity:

SOCIOLOGY (this includes the society of the character. What social status does the character have, and what does society say about the character as a person?)

Class:

Occupation:

Education:

Home Life/Family:

Religion:

Standing in Community:

Political Ambitions:

Amusements/Hobbies/Interests:

PSYCHOLOGY: (This examines the character’s attitude and mental ability).

Moral Standards:

Personal Ambitions:

Frustrations:

Temperament: (moods, mood swings, changes in personality)

Attitude toward Life:

Conflicts: (personal, societal, etc.)