Their relationships with other characters matter too. In 'Jane Eyre', Jane's relationship with Mr. Rochester is a key aspect. Her love for him, her struggle with his secrets, and her moral stance in the face of their relationship problems all contribute to making her a key character in the novel.
Character development can also make a character key. A character who undergoes significant transformation, such as Jean Valjean in 'Les Misérables'. He starts as a convict and through various experiences becomes a redeemed and noble man, and his journey is central to the novel.
A key character often drives the plot forward. For example, in 'The Great Gatsby', Jay Gatsby is a key character because his pursuit of Daisy Buchanan is what the whole story is centered around. His actions, like throwing those grand parties in the hope of attracting Daisy, are what keep the story moving.
One key element is character depth. Readers should be able to understand the characters' emotions and thoughts deeply. The relationships between characters are also vital. It could be friendship, love, or enmity. In character novels, the story may be more about how the characters react to events rather than the events themselves. For instance, in 'The Great Gatsby', Gatsby's unwavering love for Daisy and his reactions to her actions are at the heart of the novel.
A key scene could be a climax where the main conflict reaches its peak. A key character might be the protagonist whose decisions drive the story forward.
A character in a theater is physically present. An actor portrays the character right in front of the audience. In a novel, a character exists in the reader's imagination. For example, in a theater, we can see how a character moves and gestures, but in a novel, we rely on the author's words to picture it. Also, a theater character's performance can be influenced by the actor's interpretation and the director's vision on the spot, while a novel character is more fixed in the text.
Self - centeredness is a big factor. If a character is only concerned about their own desires and doesn't care about the well - being of others, like Scarlett O'Hara sometimes in 'Gone with the Wind', they are unsympathetic. Also, cruel actions towards others, for example, the way Mrs. Reed treats Jane in 'Jane Eyre' makes her unsympathetic.
A character in a novel can be likeable if they are kind - always helping others, whether it's a small favor or a big sacrifice. Also, if they have a good sense of humor, it makes them more approachable and fun to read about. Another factor is vulnerability. When a character shows their weaknesses, it makes readers empathize with them.
Selflessness. A character who puts others before themselves is often a hero. In 'A Tale of Two Cities', Sydney Carton sacrifices his own life for the happiness of the woman he loves and the safety of her family. His selfless act makes him the hero of the story.
Unique personality. A character in novel with a really strange or interesting personality like Sherlock Holmes with his extraordinary deductive skills stands out.
A character can be made mysterious by having a hidden past. For example, if a character shows up in a town and no one knows where they came from or what they did before, like the stranger in many Western novels. Another factor is having an unclear motivation. If a character does things that seem strange and their reasons for doing them are not obvious, it makes them mysterious.
A character-driven novel is all about the depth and development of the characters. The plot often emerges from their decisions and growth.