The main characters of a novel are often the ones that the plot revolves around. Take 'The Great Gatsby' for instance. Jay Gatsby is the central figure. His mysterious past, his grand parties, and his unrequited love for Daisy Buchanan are all key elements of the story. The secondary characters like Nick Carraway, who is also the narrator, play a role in revealing Gatsby's character. In addition, characters like Tom Buchanan add to the conflict in the story as he is in the way of Gatsby's love for Daisy.
Typically, characters in a novel have distinct traits. Dynamic characters change throughout the story. In 'To Kill a Mockingbird', Scout Finch is a dynamic character. She starts as a naive child but grows wiser through the events in her town. Static characters remain the same. For instance, Boo Radley is more of a static character in the sense that his basic nature doesn't really change. Round characters are complex and multi - faceted, like Atticus Finch, while flat characters are more one - dimensional, such as some of the minor townspeople in the novel.
In 'Great Expectations', Pip is the main character. His journey from a poor orphan boy with 'great expectations' to a more self - aware man is the core of the story. Miss Havisham, with her decaying mansion and her strange influence on Pip, is also an important character.
Well, there are several types. Firstly, a protagonist. This is the main character around whom the story revolves. For example, in 'Pride and Prejudice', Elizabeth Bennet is the protagonist. Secondly, an antagonist, like Mr. Darcy at the beginning in the same novel. He creates conflict for the protagonist. And then there are supporting characters. They help to flesh out the story world. In many detective novels, the sidekick of the detective is a supporting character who might offer different perspectives or skills.
The antagonist can also be an important character in a solitary novel. They may not be a traditional 'bad guy' but could be the force that opposes the protagonist's solitude or attempts to break it. In some novels, it could be society itself. Like in '1984', Big Brother represents the totalitarian society that tries to control Winston's solitary thoughts and rebel spirit.
Protagonist is a must. It's the central character around whom the story revolves. An antagonist is often needed too, creating conflict. Then there are supporting characters like the protagonist's friends or family members. For example, in 'Harry Potter', Harry is the protagonist, Voldemort the antagonist, and Ron and Hermione are important supporting characters.
In 'Message in a Bottle', Garret Blake is a key character. He is a lonely man who writes messages in bottles. Theresa Osborne, a newspaper columnist, is also very important. She finds one of Garret's bottles and is intrigued, leading to their fateful connection.
Since I don't know the 'Guest Book' novel well, it's hard to say. However, in many novels, there are characters with special abilities or knowledge. For example, a wizard - like character in a fantasy - themed 'Guest Book' novel could be very important as they might use their magic to help or hinder the other characters.
In a solar storms novel, an emergency management official would be an important character. They are responsible for coordinating the response to the disasters caused by the solar storms. They have to deal with evacuations, resource allocation, and keeping the public informed. Also, a power grid operator might be important. Since solar storms can disrupt power grids, this character would be in the middle of the chaos, trying to keep the lights on and the essential services running.
One important aspect is giving them distinct personalities. This can be achieved through their dialogue, for example, a shy character might speak softly and hesitantly. Another aspect is their backstory. A character's past experiences shape who they are in the present of the novel. Physical appearance also matters as it can give readers an initial impression. For instance, a character described as having a permanent scowl might be perceived as unfriendly at first glance.
They are often referred to as minor characters. These are the ones who don't have a major role in driving the plot forward.