Typically, flat characters can be easily and accurately described using a single word (like 'bully') or one short sentence (like 'A naive and idealistic schoolteacher with a fragile heart of gold'). By adding such a flat character, it creates an additional amount of suspense and fear to the situation of Rainsford being trapped on a remote island with these two dangerous men. A character is said to be 'flat' if it is one-dimensional or lacking in complexity. His personality is limited to being the strong yet unintelligent servant of the General Zaroff. In the short story “The Most Dangerous Game”, the mute servant, Ivan, is a flat character. By including her in the story, the reader is able to receive additional viewpoints of the community during a controversial time, and it adds depth the town by showing the different residing citizens.

She is characterized in the book as the town gossip. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the character Miss Stephanie Crawford is labeled as a flat character.

Examples of Flat Characters in Literature In many situations such as the example of Newman from Seinfeld and the servants in Romeo and Juliet, the flat characters often bring comedy to the piece as well as a break from the constant action and drama. In the text, flat characters add balance to the piece. The Function of Flat Characters in Literatureįlat characters function in the sense that they support the main characters.

What is a flat and static character