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there was a name used for characters who are built poorly and designed exactly as the story needs them rather than having their own personality but i can't remember the name for them. help please?
The terms that I'd use are "flat character", "static character", or "stock character", depending on the context. There are also film terms (cameo, extras) and some literary themes (allegorical characters, personifications, stereotypes, etc.). Is there a particular single word that you are looking for?
Foils are characters who serve as a contrast to a main character (protagonist, antagonist, etc.) by highlighting one or more traits of the main character (often by being either superior, inferior, or opposite of the main character in those traits). The classic example is Sancho Panza, who is the voice of common sense to Don Quixote's madness. Foils aren't necessarily flat or static characters, either, and they often have their own personalities.
If you are talking about expendable characters, you can use "redshirt" (Star Trek idiom), "mook", "goon", or "cannon fodder", I suppose.
Again, an example of what you are looking for may be helpful.
Hahnsoo1 on
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TavIrish Minister for DefenceRegistered Userregular
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Edit: Or possibly an example of Deus ex machina?
The terms that I'd use are "flat character", "static character", or "stock character", depending on the context. There are also film terms (cameo, extras) and some literary themes (allegorical characters, personifications, stereotypes, etc.). Is there a particular single word that you are looking for?
Foils are characters who serve as a contrast to a main character (protagonist, antagonist, etc.) by highlighting one or more traits of the main character (often by being either superior, inferior, or opposite of the main character in those traits). The classic example is Sancho Panza, who is the voice of common sense to Don Quixote's madness. Foils aren't necessarily flat or static characters, either, and they often have their own personalities.
If you are talking about expendable characters, you can use "redshirt" (Star Trek idiom), "mook", "goon", or "cannon fodder", I suppose.
Again, an example of what you are looking for may be helpful.
I don't think it's one of those well known terms because I've only heard a few people use it, which is why i couldn't find it on google
They're basically the writer putting his or herself into the story to save the day.
thank you