Well, Gardner first sets up the character's initial state. This could be their social status, their emotional state, etc. Then he subjects them to various situations and conflicts. As the character navigates through these, we see their growth or decline. He also uses physical descriptions sparingly but effectively. A simple description of a character's posture or appearance can give clues about their personality. And he often has characters make choices, and these choices are a big part of how we come to understand who they are in the story.
He uses their actions. For instance, if a character is brave, he'll show that character taking risks or standing up for others. Their dialogue also plays a role. Through what they say, we can understand their personalities. For example, a sarcastic character will have a different way of speaking compared to a sincere one.
John Gardner develops characters in his short stories by delving into their inner thoughts. He often gives us a peek into what the characters are thinking, which helps us understand their motives. Their relationships with other characters are important too. A character might be defined by how they interact with a love interest or a rival. Also, their reactions to events in the story can shape who they are. If they face a crisis and respond with courage, that tells us a lot about them.
One of the main themes is often the human condition. His stories explore how people deal with various challenges in life. For example, in some of his works, characters struggle with self - identity. Another common theme is the complexity of relationships. He shows how relationships can be both a source of comfort and conflict. Also, the concept of morality is frequently explored, with characters making choices that test their moral boundaries.
He uses detailed descriptions. For instance, he might describe a character's appearance in a way that gives clues about their personality. A character with a disheveled look could be seen as more carefree or troubled. Boyne also shows characters' actions. By what they do, we can understand their motives. If a character is constantly helping others, we can assume they are kind - hearted.
He develops characters through their actions. For example, if a character is constantly making rash decisions, it shows their impulsive nature. Also, through their dialogue. The way they talk to others can reveal their personality, like if they are sarcastic or overly polite.
As I haven't read the story, I can't say for sure. But likely, there is the dragon itself. And there may be a human character, perhaps a knight or a young adventurer who has some sort of encounter with the dragon.
Gardner defines moral fiction as that which is concerned with values. It is fiction that makes the reader think about what is right and wrong, good and bad.
In 'Grendel', the main character is obviously Grendel himself. He is a complex character, not just a simple monster as in the traditional Beowulf story.
Typical characters include the resourceful private investigators. They use their wits and experience to solve mysteries. Then there are the victims or their families. They are usually in distress and look to the investigators for help. There may also be some sidekick characters who assist the main detective, providing some comic relief or additional support in investigations.
One of his popular novels is 'Grendel'. It tells the story from the perspective of the monster in the Beowulf legend, which is a really interesting take. It gives a new depth to the character that we usually just see as a villain.
Another Gardner novel is 'The Sunlight Dialogues'. In a crossword, there might be a clue like 'Gardner's novel set in a town with complex dialogues' and the answer would be this title. The book is rich in philosophical and social commentary, which could be fodder for crossword creators.
Another notable work could be 'The Sunlight Dialogues'. It contains complex characters and thought - provoking themes that Gardner is good at exploring in his fiction.