Character Analysis: The Role of Protagonists and Minor Characters in Short Fiction
Overview
This essay analyzes the contribution of characters in two different short stories: Mrs. Sommers from Kate Chopin's 'A Pair of Silk Stockings' and Henry Bradford from Sherwood Anderson's 'Hands.' The paper explores how these characters, through their motivations and roles, contribute to plot development and thematic meaning in their respective narratives.
What this essay covers
- Introduction defining character types and their narrative significance
- Part I analyzing Mrs. Sommers as protagonist and her motivations regarding poverty and freedom
- Part II examining Henry Bradford as a minor character and his function in revealing the protagonist's character
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Characters
Characters are a significant part of any art of fiction or reality because they tell the story. The authors of novels, short stories, and other works often give characters special features depending on what they want to achieve. The main characters are the protagonists and the antagonists, who are on the opposing sides of a conflict in a story. Apart from the protagonist and the antagonist, other minor characters help build up the flesh in the story and are called minor characters after their role. Like other literary works, characters contribute to the development of the plot and themes in short stories. This essay will analyze the contribution of two characters in two different short stories and two parts. Part I explores the protagonist Mrs. Sommers in Kate Chopin's short story "A Pair of Silk Stockings," discussing what motivates her and connecting the story to a real-life example. Part II describes Henry Bradford, a minor character in Sherwood Anderson's short story "Hands," and how he brings out Myers' character, the protagonist.
Part I: Mrs. Sommers in Kate Chopin's "A Pair of Silk Stockings"
Mrs. Sommers is the protagonist in the short story "A Pair of Silk Stockings." She is hardworking and confined to domestic duties but later enjoys a bit of pleasure, freedom, and pleasure for a short time before going back to her routine. At the beginning of the story, Mrs.