As you know that the word ”Static” is used for describing things that don’t change and the same goes for a ”static character” who doesn’t change as a person and remains the same throughout the story.
Related: Dynamic Character Examples
Contents
What is a Static Character?
A static character is a character that doesn’t change and remains the same throughout the course of a story. They don’t undergo any kind of inner changes as the internal traits of a static character remain the same from the beginning to the end of the story. Basically, a static character doesn’t grow or develop throughout the story.
Are flat and static characters the same?
Flat characters showcases the complexity of a character where as a static character presents the amount of changes a character is undergoing in the story.
Flat vs Static Characters
Examples of Static Characters in Literature
#1 Sherlock Holmes, in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories
The admirable and one of the most famous fictional characters, Sherlock Holmes is undoubtedly also the best-known static character in literature.
The character appeared in many stories of its creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as a genius detective solving complex cases every time with confidence and brilliancy, but apart from his extraordinary persona, the character’s personality and his internal traits never undergo any significant changes and remained the same in every Doyle’s story.
#2 Mr. Collins, in Pride and Prejudice
Mr. William Collins is a static character in Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice. Mr. Collins behaves in the same conceited manner and never realizes his pride issue throughout the story. As being selfish and self-centered, the character every time showcases his pompous nature which does not change.
Though Mr. Collins is humorous, however, at the same time he looks ridiculous and silly which adds another layer of static characteristics to his character.
#3 Atticus Finch, in To Kill a Mockingbird
Atticus Finch is the father of the protagonist Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee. He is kind, compassionate, helpful and a wise character representing morality in the story.
Atticus is an admirable man and respected lawyer of his town who never leaves any opportunity to support and help innocent people as he did in Tom Robinson’s case even knowing that he’s going to lose it.
Throughout the story, Atticus’ character doesn’t develop and he behaves in the same manner of morality showcasing consistency in his characteristics. The character is so static in his nature that his friend Miss Maudie once said, “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets”.
#4 Joe Gargery, in Great Expectations
Joe Gargery is a kindhearted, generous, and loyal village blacksmith from the novel Great Expectations written by Charles Dickens. He is the brother-in-law, trusted friend, and father figure to the story protagonist Pip.
Joe is uneducated but a strong man and at the same time gentle, caring and forgiving. From the start, he is kind, caring, and protective towards Pip and never gets angry or frustrated with him, no matter how Pip treated him. Throughout the novel, Joe remains the same, and even when Pip’s destiny takes a twist and fortune came into his life Joe’s behavior towards him didn’t change.
#5 Draco Malfoy, in Harry Potter
Draco intended to be a foil to Harry, the protagonist of J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Malfoy is the opposite of Harry in every aspect and his self-developed rivalry with Potter never changes.
Malfoy is a mean-spirited, arrogant, selfish, snobbish, and cowardly person and his unpleasant personality remains consistent throughout the series. Draco’s parents raised him while inheriting him the ideology of the importance of blood purity, which he truly believes and he also feels proud about his being a pureblood and his social status. He also keeps on his old family’s prejudice against mudbloods and Muggles.
Related: Round Character Examples
