Monday, August 31, 2015

Who are the dynamic characters in the book Holes by Louis Sachar?

First, I will define a dynamic character. Any character who changes his or her values, characteristics, or worldview from the beginning of a text to the end could be called dynamic.
In Louis Sachar’s Holes, the most obvious dynamic character is Stanley Yelnats, the protagonist. Before being sent to Camp Green Lake, Stanley is self-conscious and passive, frequently allowing others to take advantage of or bully him. After the summer at camp, Stanley is able to become both physically fit and mentally strong, understanding that he has the power to change his world for the better.
Another obvious dynamic character is Stanley’s bully, Derrick Dunne. Dunne is Stanley’s constant tormenter at the beginning of the book, a character with seemingly no empathy or kindness. However, Derrick is ultimately the one whose testimony exonerates Stanley. This is considered dynamic because the boy who causes Stanley so much suffering becomes the one who saves him.
Finally, a dynamic character by chance only is Stanley’s father, Mr. Yelnats. An inventor, Mr. Yelnats's creations have always failed due to the Yelnats family curse that was begun long ago at Green Lake. When Stanley finally succeeds in breaking the curse, Mr. Yelnats succeeds in finding a cure for foul foot odor. While this doesn’t represent a fundamental change in Mr. Yelnats's personality or values, this dramatic change in luck could certainly be interpreted as dynamism.

No comments:

Post a Comment

What is the theme of the chapter Lead?

Primo Levi's complex probing of the Holocaust, including his survival of Auschwitz and pre- and post-war life, is organized around indiv...