Main characters in Asimov's short stories can be diverse. You have the explorers, those brave individuals who venture into the unknown, whether it's deep space or uncharted parts of Earth in a post - apocalyptic future. There are also the scholars, the ones who study the ancient texts or try to understand the new phenomena that are emerging in their world. And don't forget the children. In some stories, children play a crucial role as they are often more open - minded and can adapt more easily to the strange new situations that Asimov creates.
Well, in Asimov's short stories, there's Elijah Baley. He is a detective in a future where Earth has some issues with overcrowding and a changing relationship with the outer colonies. His investigations often involve interactions with robots, which makes his character unique. Also, there are the various alien characters that Asimov created. They are often very different from humans in appearance and behavior, which makes them stand out. For example, some aliens have completely different ways of communicating or thinking compared to humans.
Many of his stories feature ordinary individuals who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances. For instance, in some stories, a common laborer might be the main character who stumbles upon a scientific discovery or a strange phenomenon. These characters are used to show how the average person might react to the amazing things that happen in Asimov's science - fiction universes. Another type of main character could be an explorer, venturing into unknown parts of the galaxy.
Ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary situations are also common. They might be regular folks who are suddenly thrust into a world of advanced technology or alien encounters, and their reactions and growth throughout the story are what make them interesting characters.
I'm not sure as there are many of his works that could potentially be considered a'school story'. But it could be students, teachers, or school administrators. Maybe a brilliant student who is the protagonist and faces various challenges in the school.
Scientists are often main characters. They are the ones driving the exploration of new technologies or making important discoveries. For example, in some stories, they are the ones trying to understand and control robots.
There's an astronomer in 'Nightfall' who plays a crucial role. He's the one who discovers and tries to warn others about the coming nightfall. Another important character could be the religious leaders. They have a certain view of the world based on the constant light, and their reactions to the idea of nightfall are significant in the story.
I'm not entirely sure as I haven't read the story lately. But typically in Asimov's works, the main characters are often intelligent, inquisitive individuals. In 'Youth', they might be young people with a thirst for knowledge or adventure.
One of the main themes is science and technology. Asimov often explored how new inventions and scientific concepts could impact society. For example, in some stories, he delved into the implications of artificial intelligence. Another theme is human nature. He showed how humans react to extraordinary situations, like in stories where they face alien encounters. Also, his stories sometimes touch on the concept of future civilizations and how they might be organized.
One memorable character is R. Daneel Olivaw from the Robot series. He is a robot with a highly developed sense of ethics and morality, often finding himself in situations where the Three Laws of Robotics are put to the test. His interactions with human characters, like Elijah Baley, are really interesting.
There are often human characters like Susan Calvin. She is a robopsychologist who plays a crucial role in understanding the minds of robots. Her insights into the Three Laws and how robots think are central to many of the stories.