Developing characters with agency is crucial for writers. Agency is a character’s capacity to decide what to do and how to do it in a way that impacts the plot. A character may come out as bland and uninteresting without agency, and their actions may not have much of an impact on the plot. In order to ensure that the created characters have agency, this must be done.
In his work Aspects of the Novel, E.M. Forster developed the idea of flat and rounded characters. Flat characters, in Forster’s opinion, are one-dimensional and lack agency. They are foreseeable and only serve one function in the narrative. Round characters, on the other hand, are complex and have free will. They can alter during the narrative and have multiple dimensions.
Character can refer to two different things. The first definition refers to a character in a play, novel, or film. The second definition refers to a person’s moral or ethical attributes. In order to create a figure with agency, both interpretations are necessary. A character’s moral or ethical principles will influence the decisions they make, which in turn will decide their actions and how they affect the plot. The round character is a form of character that tends to be complex. Throughout the narrative, these characters are malleable and have free will. They are unpredictable and have a tendency to astound readers with their choices and deeds. Harry Potter is a wonderful example of a rounded character. He begins as a shy and uneasy youngster but develops into a courageous and self-assured wizard who acts to protect his companions and thwart Voldemort.
Some authors believe that the play’s plot should take precedence over all other elements. While the narrative is important, the story is ultimately driven by the characters. The plot might not work if the characters aren’t well-rounded and have free will. Readers are kept interested in the story by the decisions and actions of the characters.
In conclusion, giving your characters agency is crucial if you want to succeed as a writer. Without it, characters could come off as uninteresting and formulaic, and their actions might not have much of an effect on the story. Round characters can astound readers with their behaviors and judgments since they are complicated, have agency, and are round. The plot is driven by the characters, and readers are fascinated by their deeds and actions.