Book II: Character, Chapters 4 - 9 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 4: Character Growth

This chapter goes into detail about the way characters grow. According to the author, they must grow, for if a character is the same way in the beginning as he is in the end, the play is bad. Going back to the premise, he believes that if the writer has one, his characters will grow because it is their job to prove the premise. One example of character growth done terrifically is Henrik Ibsen's play A Doll's House. The author takes a few pages to examine the scene where a lead character in this play, a childlike and naive woman, receives a reality check, and Ibsen gives her everything she needs to become a mature adult.

The author proves that growth is a real character's reaction to his conflict, and...