Round Character (Literary Terms Related to Fiction)

Round Character

E. M. Forster, in Aspects of the Novel (1927), describes two fundamentally different types of characters: 'flat' and 'round.'

A round character is characterized by depth and complexity, mirroring the psychological intricacies of real humans. These characters face both external and internal conflicts: external conflicts arise from interactions with others, while internal conflicts involve personal flaws, insecurities, and desires. Their motives and desires drive the story’s conflict, which can be physical, emotional, material, or philosophical, and are not easily achieved.

Round characters often display internal contradictions, such as desiring love but pushing away potential suitors. Their speech patterns reflect their personality, background, and quirks, and their backstory is essential for understanding their complexities, traumas, and desires. They are relatable, as their traits connect with readers, and they typically have a fatal flaw (hamartia) that hinders their ability to resolve the story’s conflict. Round characters are usually central to the narrative, including protagonists, their closest relationships, and often antagonists.

Examples:

Quentin Compson in The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner: Quentin, a Harvard freshman, struggles with justice, purity, and meaning, deeply obsessed with his sister, Caddy. His external conflicts include his nihilistic father and his overprotectiveness of Caddy. His internal conflict involves overthinking and madness. His backstory, marked by his family’s loss of honour, influences his quest for meaning, and his fatal flaw of overthinking leads to his suicide.

Jane Eyre in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë: Jane faces external conflicts from an abusive family and a controlling headmaster, while her internal conflict stems from her traumatic childhood. Her desires for independence and connection create ongoing tension. Her backstory, marked by abuse and loneliness, is crucial to understanding her character. Her relatability and complexity contribute to the novel’s lasting appeal.