Which term describes a character who remains essentially the same throughout the story?

• A. Dynamic Character
• B. Static Character
• C. Round Character
• D. Flat Character

Answer: (B)

A character who remains essentially the same throughout the story is described as static. In fiction, static characters don’t undergo a real shift in personality, beliefs, or outlook from the beginning to the end, even as events unfold around them. This constancy can help highlight how other characters change or emphasize enduring aspects of the story’s world or themes. By contrast, a dynamic character experiences meaningful internal growth or transformation as a result of the plot’s experiences or conflicts. A static character can still be well-drawn and important, often serving as a foil or steady reference point for the changes happening to others. While a flat character is usually simple and might be static, a round character is more complex and can be either static or dynamic; the key idea here is the lack of change, which defines a static character.